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LIMBA
Terminalia superba
NOTE: This site previously had separate sections for white and black limba because I shared what I now know to be a common misperception among us woodworkers that those are separate (albeit related) woods. In fact, all limba comes from the same tree and the "white" and "black" designations are based on color and grain. See the color section of the "fact sheet" for full details.
I have kept the "white" and "black" sections separate below
here's a piece that clearly shows both the white and the black
both sides of a plank and a closeup --- the "black" section is just along one edge
LIMBA, WHITE
my samples:
NOTE: all of these are from a solid piece about 2"x2"x3' most generously donated to the site by Jim Glynn, whom I thank for the gift. Both levels of enlargement are available on all of these, so you can see the markings and the grain up close.
small plank
a couple of small plank sections and the same moistened with water
end grain --- the last pic is of the same piece as the first one, but moistened with water
Jim pointed out to me that the markings, whether orange or just dark brown, seem to be accompanied in most cases by holes made by whatever sort of boring insect likes to bore in white limba. In other words, Jim is suggesting that the markings are basically bug poop. Now Jim works around boats and it is possible that he had inhaled too much fumes from an industrial strength solvent of some kind before making that suggestion. Ah, no wait ... he made that suggestion in my kitchen, and I don't have any industrial strength solvents there and he was nowhere near the amonia, so hmm ... maybe he has a point.
end grain closeups from a plank that came off the same piece as those above --- color is very accurate
a section totally devoid of any character-enhancing markings. The color is a little too yellow.
fiddleback veneer --- a true fiddleback, technically, but really too weak a figure to use on the back of a fiddle. I note that the veneer is significantly different in color (much more yellow) than the solid and I have no explanation for this.
white limba web pics
planks
quartersawn veneer
veneer --- neither specifically listed as quartersawn but both appear to be
fiddleback veneer
listed as "Africa" limba
LIMBA, BLACK
my samples:
NOTE: previously, all I had here was a statement that I had never seen this wood. Through the generosity of Jim Glynn, I now have the solid-wood samples shown. Thanks Jim. I subsequently obtained the veneer samples shown further below.
Note on color: all the pics of these solid pieces are a little too light. The actual wood is not quite as dark as the veneer samples below them, but they are closer to that than to the light color shown.
two sides of a piece of turning stock
end grain of the sample above --- 2nd level enlargement is available
a couple of solid wedges, just showing more grain variety --- the wood actually has more of a green tint that what shows in these pics.
end grain closeup from the piece on the right directly above this --- color is a just a hair too green
plank
both sides of a plank, showing pure "white limba" on one side, "black limba" on the other. This was cut from the middle of the larger plank directly above
end grain and end grain closeup of the piece directly above
plank
plank and end grain (piece cut from the larger plank directly above)
end grain closeup of the piece directly above
set of small planks and a closeup of a couple of them
veneer acquired after Jim gave me the solid samples above. the first pic is a couple of sheets and the next two are closeups from them. Colors are quite well captured in the pics.
more veneer, also with accurate color
veneer --- curly, shiny, and beautiful; actual color has just a shade more green in it (not as extreme as the sheets directly above this set, but a touch in that direction)
two solid pieces and a closeup of one --- pictures provided by John Ming of Heirloom Woodworking. John tells me he found the red streaks in only a very few places. These pieces have been finished with blond shellac sealer and then multiple coats of lacquer, but John says that didn't change the color much, but based on other pictures it would appear that at the least, the finishing agent brought out the yellow considerably.
NOTE: I now have a piece of white limba, donated by Jim Glynn, that has an almost identical orange streak as that seen in the pic directly above, and you can see it at the top of this page.
black limba web pics --- the ones with reddish tint are probably not true color (they may have all come from the BogusColorVendor). I have never seen this wood have any orange in it at all, but the pics DO tend to come out showing orange so if they aren't properly corrected, this is what you'll get. The pics of my veneer samples came out originally with a noticble orange tint, although nothing as strong as what is in many of these pics.
planks
an oiled plank
veneer all from the same dealer --- none of this was listed as curly or fiddleback although it obviously is
veneer
both sides and a closeup of a plank from the BogusColorVendor so the orange color is very suspect
"striped" black limba plank and closeup
veneer with what I take to be very accurate color, although as usual this vendor has added a shine to the pics that I am sure is not present in the real wood. I've bought many lots from this vendor and her wood is NEVER shiny the way her pics are: UH ... well, I may have to take that back in this case; I bought some veneer from another vendor and it DOES have a shine similar to this vendor's pics. Still, I HAVE bought many lots from her where the shine in her pics does not exist in the wood.
match pair of thin sheets for guitar back --- orange color is suspect
guitar blank of black limba --- color probably very accurate
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black limba section on a laminated bowl. The pic on the left is just off the lathe and the one on the right is after one coat of natural stain.