Röö guitars

Three fretboards on the bench. Final choice will depend on the design – each one suits a different look and feel. I’ll decide once the rest of the build starts to take shape.

Black ebony – a classic, no question. Dense, smooth, and jet-dark with just a hint of sheen. Always a solid choice when you want elegance without compromise.

Royal blackwood – torrified purpleheart. A sustainable alternative to ebony, with similar density and feel under the fingers. More colour variation, too – deep browns, and light flashes that shift with the light. Strong, stable and beautiful.

The mystery fretboard blank — no confirmed species, but I was told it’s an Australian native, which makes me think it may be brigalow. Whatever it is, it’s hard, dense, and feels right under the tools. It’s got the weight and stability to make a fantastic fretboard.