John, those pics show exactly what I've been seeing in the sets of Pan/Guat rosewood I have. And believe it or not, some of it was sold to me as Honduran also!!
I find it to be TOTALLY different and easily distunguishable from Honduran. Pan/Guat RW is way lighter, way less glassy when tapped, and has a much coarser texture (from what I can tell with my samples.) Also, the pores are larger/longer. The Hond I have it nearly pore free, but not like Africa Black Wood.
Going back to your pics, I have 2 sets I got from Gilmer that are very Orange/Red(sold as Tucurensis), same as your top pics, but mine are not as well quartered. I also have 2 sets that were from cook woods, and they look EXACTLY like your second picture. Dead match.
What is your opinion on this stuff? Are they both Tuc, but from different areas? I know woods can show substantial differences within the same species, depending on where it grew, cut, etc...
Of my sets, they all have a similar smell, I would describe as moderatly strong, with a spicy, meaty flavor on top of the basic rosewood smell, kinda like Cocobolo, but less Christmas Spice smell, more Beefy...
Finally, I was sold two sets of fingerboard/bridge blanks as Honduran (they were cheap!) and when I received them, I was prety sure they were Tucurensis. The feel of it really gives it away.
And, now really finally, I've never built with it, but I do have 4 sets, and I bought them based on the great reviews from people like John Arnold, and Bruce Sexauer.
I'm excited to use it, which will probably be in a few months.
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