Chunks of shipwreck ebony – from the Schooner “Dolphin” that sank in 1854 off Cuttyhunk, MA. This ship was out of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, probably where it put in en route from Africa with a load of ebony logs. Although the ship body was never found, the logs have been washing up on shore and put to various uses by the locals. Reference is found in The Sailor’s Magazine Volumes 26-27, Page 180, February 1855:”Schooner Dolphin, ashore at Cuttyhunk, has bilged and broken her deck, and will prove a total loss.” I utilize scraps leftover from other users as I am able to work so small.
Brazilian Bloodwood – from a ship’s “bolster.” Note the round outer radius. These would be used anywhere a rope would be dragged over say, a railing where you didn’t want to friction wear your precious rope or grind on a softer wood (i.e., where an anchor rope might be passed). Very heavy wood like ebony.
Misc. musical source materials – copper wire stripped from piano strings, ebony flat keys from pianos, bone as a substitute for piano key ivory (in support of elephant lives that remain, ivory trade needs to be shut down totally). Bone is a by-product of the food industry. Guitar maker bridge blank scraps of ebony. The large curved piece of ebony is from an acoustic bass.
Copper wire being stripped from piano string.
Searching through the pallet pieces in the scrap bins at the yard!