"It tightened but did not overdamp bass, clarified but did not parch the midrange, and improved high frequency transient focus and clarity." - Michael Fremer, Stereophile , June 2022
"With every record, every genre of music, the results were the same - more details, better and deeper stage, improved imaging."
- Alex Gorouvein, Hifialex.com
“I was no longer listening to disparate instruments, but hearing compositions as a unified whole……….I’m very impressed, not only with the sonic benefits but the pride of ownership this finely crafted instrument will bring its owners.”
- Rick Becker , Enjoy the music, Nov 2022
Prime Reference Mpingo (Mark II)
How to describe Mpingo using human parlance. That's an interesting proposition. For a wood this sexy and rare using banal hyperbole would seem, um....banal. Yet the wood is so deserving of glorious adjectives like heaviest, blackest, hardest, and most valuable are four such terms that do really apply when furnishing a description.
In the Olympics of tone woods mpingo may win the gold medal for the smoothest sounding wood and a silver for control over bass. Saying that, mpingo has a very fast attack and quick decay.
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A wood that was contributory in usurping ebony from its throne. Instrument makers, Swahili furniture producers, and hifi nerds agree upon and realize its magic. At the completion of every batch I wonder "is this the last batch, can I get more?" Unrestrained with endless ambitions. Seems to get better with time.
460 grams/ 16.2oz (+/- 10%)
Approximate size -6.35cm / 2.5”tall 7.62cm / 2.8”wide
​$995, may include free shipping
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Cocobolo
The Massif cocobolo weight embodies the perfect fusion of heft and elegance. Slightly lighter than the Prime Reference but equally minimalist. It's crafted with meticulous attention to detail. Difficult to work with and equally difficult to obtain.
Similar improvements in bass detail as heard with the Prime Reference but with a greater emphasis on image focus, instrument separation and blacker blacks. Hardcore , no nonsense with rugged good looks. Redefines what a record weight can be.
420 grams/ 14.8oz (+/- 10%)
Approximate size-6.35cm / 2.5" tall 7.62 / 2.8" wide
​$995 may include free shipping
Lignum Vitae / Limited to 20pcs
Guaiacum officinale
In some circles Lignum Vitae is known as either Holy wood or Bastard Greenheart, a safe assumption as to why might be its penchant for ruining tools. Make no mistake, it offers up no apologies. Often referred to as the true iron wood, it's also a damn fine tone wood. Its beauty and scarcity certainly make this a sought after wood.
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Lignum Vitae can bless well recorded LPs with much improved tonality, the ability to convey the timbre of various instruments. Highs seem to possess a smoother, more liquid (if that even makes sense) presentation. Noise floor falls dramatically, lower octaves and notes tighten up considerably. Pianos prescribe attention and enter the room commanding eyes widened.
500 grams / 17.6oz (+/- 10%)
Approximate size 6.35cm / 2.5" tall 7.62 / 3" wide. Only 20 available.
​ SOLD OUT/gone for good
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Brazilian rosewood
Extremely limited. Brazilian rosewood might be the most exotic, elusive and sought after of any tone wood. When I come across some BRW I try and grab it all. The last time that I was fortunate enough to buy some was 2016. Gibson guitars has a limited supply of legal and certified BRW that they save for their custom guitars. I'm following that same path.
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Brazilian Rosewood aka dalbergia negra can range in colours from reds and pinks with streaks of orange to almost black. Most commonly (at least for me) its found in a deep maroon with a hint of purple. It usually has darker grains called spider webbing that actually look more like a seismograph.
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Similar to cocobolo and Mpingo, which are also rosewoods, it can have a profound effect on bass response. Tighter, deeper with more urgency. a greater 3D image, more pronounced and focused sound stage. Not just the bass though. There's total improvement across the board. Silkier highs, smoother mids and vocals come across as even more 'there' than before. It literally did everything well. I don't even really have to wax about these much, Brazilian rosewood is one of those precious exotics where ' if you know, you know'...........
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500 grams / 17.6oz (+/- 10%)
Approximate size 6.35cm / 2.5" tall 7.62 / 2.8" wide. Super limited. Maybe 18-20.
​$1395
​​​*All prices are in USD
*All weights come shipped in a water resistant , damage proof travel case. May include free shipping.
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* a honest note about record weights in general. A weight, or clamp will not transform a poorly set up system or one that isn't particularly revealing. Most customers purchase a weight when every other reasonable step has been taken.
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