Is my 2003 Les Paul R9 a Brazillian Rosewood piece?

[tjphoenix]

Hi all,

I recently acquired a used 2003 Les Paul R9. It plays great, even rivals my 2015 Historic Select les pail 59. In comparison, the 03 R9 has a slimmer but thicker neck compared with the HS9 ( I believe the HS9 is the closest to the actual 59 holy grail?)

The serial number of my 03 R9 is 9 3691. Based on my searches on this topic, I have gathered the following information:
- All R9 manufactured in 2003 have Brazilian rosewoods
- only those with serial number ranging from 9 3030 to 9 3674 have Brazilian rosewoods

It seems that these two pieces of information sort of contradicts each other in my case. As my piece’s serial number clearly is not within the range mentioned above, but it is still a 2003 model.

I would like to seek the expertise of the Les Paul lovers in this forum on this. Any input is appreciated!

 

[L96A1]

According to the serial info it’s not braz, but there are braz outta this range and there are Madagascar rosewood in this range.
If you want to sell it, range speaks louder.
Some pics of the fretboard would be nice.

 

[Easy Wind]

I've owned a bunch of 2003 R9 Brazilians, lefty and righty. 93001-93674 are Brazilians, so 93691 is beyond the range.

 

[tjphoenix]

According to the serial info it’s not braz, but there are braz outta this range and there are Madagascar rosewood in this range.
If you want to sell it, range speaks louder.
Some pics of the fretboard would be nice.

Thanks for your reply. Here are some pictures of it:

 

[Slater529]

One sure fire way to tell if it's Brazilian is to vigorously rub the wood with your finger, then sniff... Brazilian RW gives off an unmistakable sweet smell. If it doesn't pass the sniff test, it ain't Braz.

 

[tjphoenix]

Thank you everyone for your helpful inputs!

 

[L96A1]

Better to take some close up picture of the fretboard under good light.

 

[RAG7890]

Better to take some close up picture of the fretboard under good light.

+10 the photos posted are pretty much useless, as in no Cigar.

Need accurate, clear, close up pics.

Then we can comment & start a $hit fight, as per normal

 

[L96A1]

Yep I got a beer in my left hand and only wait for some photos show up on my phone in the right hand.

 

[Sct13]

You need to shave off a bit of the board and shake it in a test tube. If the oils dissolve and cause it to fluoresce under a black light (U/V) light, it is NOT braz....Braz oil is not soluble in water.

A test like this is a destructive method ….not really recommended unless you are removing the fretboard....there are only a few places to get samples without damaging....

But pics would be real nice!

 

[bulletproof]

Thanks for your reply. Here are some pictures of it:

Not at all sure about the board,brother,however,that’s one beautiful guitar!

 

[tjphoenix]

Better to take some close up picture of the fretboard under good light.

Sorry for the late reply. Here Re some more pictures.

 

[tjphoenix]

Not at all sure about the board,brother,however,that’s one beautiful guitar!

Thanks for the comment!

 

[asapmaz]

I hate to say it but if it's not in the range, it is simply not Braz (whether or not it is in reality).
From a resale point of view, it doesn't matter what test it passes or doesn't. It's gotten to the point where if you want the premium added to the value of the guitar, it better be in the specified range.

 

[Sct13]

Unfortunately for resale this is true.

However this has some hallmarks of braz ....
Its smoothness and lack of pores, that nice polished sheen indicates a board that is dense. Ill bet its a nice piece of Madagascar Rose Wood ... which cannot be exported (legally) from that country....

Just enjoy it ... I love it...
let me know if your selling....

 

[Sct13]

There is also plenty of Schmunda on there too... you could get a DNA sample ..... eeww

 

[MikeyV]

There is NO way that board is Indian Rosewood.
It doesn't look like Madagascar RW either, but there's greater chance for it to be MRW than BRW, if not in the actual range.

It definitely looks like BRW. Too bad I can't sniff it. ;(

 

[freebyrd 69]

If you just have to know, you can use Sct13's method. It would only be for your knowledge though, because as mentioned above, there is a definitive serial number range that Gibson will confirm as Brazilian boards. Only the one's in that range will ever command a premium for being Braz as far as re-sale goes.

 

[Tim Plains]

One sure fire way to tell if it's Brazilian is to vigorously rub the wood with your finger, then sniff... Brazilian RW gives off an unmistakable sweet smell. If it doesn't pass the sniff test, it ain't Braz.

Do people really believe this as being gospel? My old Braz R0 that did not give off this supposed unmistakable sweet smell, and yes it was a Braz from within the range.

 

[kakerlak]

Sorry for the late reply. Here Re some more pictures.

Those long, widely-spaced pores with the little shiny crystalline "legs" that span the gap here-and-there and the overall smoothness/waxiness of the wood in between really looks Brazzy to me, as does the intermittent areas where the grain has those subtle, tight stripes that curve around and cut each other off. It looks the part and I'd have a suspicion that it was Brazilian, but the folks saying that only ones in the accepted serial number range get traded w/ a premium are right. OTOH, that's a killer top and an obviously "nice" R9, so it ought to trade pretty high, anyway.