I want to pass on a little information I have been EDUCATED to. I will not mention any names here, but I feel what was done INTENTIONALLY with TOTAL MISREPRESENTATION on a sellers behalf.
I have been looking hard to find some Macassar to try on a few calls as ya'll have seen the posts. I kept looking and ran across someone on EBAY that I sent pictures of the color and grain I was looking for. We communicated back and forth and I ended up ordering about $250.00 worth of what I thought was MACASSAR Ebony. That is what I asked for and no substitute was ever mentioned.
Well to make a long story short, I got the wood and noticed a different color in the brown part of the wood. It was alot more of a redish brown. I thought tounge oils may bring the color around so I went to sawing it. Made all the material into lid and base material.
Then I set in to build a butternut with it. Got it finished up-threw the tounge oil to it and expected to see what I was looking for. It was no where close.
In my desire to try the correct Macassar, I continued my persuit and have spoke to a man in Indonesia. He informed me of what others do representating Amara as Macassar. It is alot cheaper and nowhere near the density of Macassar. Its the ole greed thing here at work and I wanted to share my lession with you guys so you don't fall into the trap I did.
I did not contact the man that misrepresented the wood as I cut it up. Its mine. Wish I had found out before sawing it up---I would have demanded my $250 back. Some people are just plain greedy and have no scruples. I did not misunderstand anything the seller told me--I thoght I was buying genuine Macassar..thats what I requested..not a cheap forgery. As you can tell- I am steamed--but it's ultimatlly my fault.
I have enclosed a pics of the two woods so maybe I can prevent anyone else here stepping into the trap I did.
Amara Wood:
Macassar:
