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Limba

Terminalia superba
Also known as |
Black Limba|Ofram|White Limba
Limba Lumber @ Rare Woods USA

Limba has been an important wood in Africa due in part to its universal popularity. Although its population was considered threatened from over-exploitation in the first half of the 20th century, a concerted effort was made to preserve the species and expand its natural range. Regional and national programs from the ’50’s through the ’70’s across West and Central Africa were quite successful. Limba has a characteristic light base color, ranging from a pale yellow to a light golden brown, to a pale tan — and sometimes muted to the point of having a greyish appearance. It often has dark brown or black overlapping highlights (as well as lighter colored patches, occasionally ranging from yellow to orange), which is what distinguishes White Limba (also called “Korina”) from Black Limba (same wood / same species; just differing aesthetics). Its sapwood is only slightly lighter in color than its heartwood and can sometimes be difficult to discern.

Despite its medium to coarse texture and a small silica content, its typically straight grains (those sometimes irregular or interlocked) and modest hardness and density make it generally quite easy to work. Its glues and finishes well (with a moderate natural luster); its base color takes on a more golden tone under a clear lacquer finish. It is considered neither a tough nor durable wood, so such finishing is recommended.

Not currently listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Why We Love This Wood

This wood became quite popular with US electric guitar builders after being glamorized by Gibson Guitars in 1958. Limba was used exclusively as a body and neck wood with the introduction of their radical “Flying V” and “Explorer” models. (It was Gibson who actually coined the name “Korina” for the wood — a name by which it is now commonly known within the US guitar luthier community.) To this day, it remains a popular wood for guitar necks and bodies. It should be noted that the wood is decidedly non-durable and is susceptible to insect attack.

By the early 1950’s, the wood was thought to be severely endangered. Efforts were made to replant the wood in plantations across its natural range for the next twenty-plus years. The species expanded beyond its original rainforest habitat, making its way into savannah areas and even penetrating regional evergreen forests.

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    Limba Lumber @ Rare Woods USA
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    Vital Statistics
    Main Color GroupVariegated
    Grain Pattern Pronounced
    Avg Dry Weight - LB/BF2.9
    Avg Dry Weight - KG/M3550
    Janka Hardness - LBF670
    Janka Hardness - N2990
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    LIMBAB1161_1
    LIMBAB1161
    1"
    x 4.38" x
    42.38"
    Edge defect,Wormholes,

    $28.55

    LIMBAB1159_1
    LIMBAB1159
    1.06"
    x 4.38" x
    42.38"
    Wormholes,Small edge defects

    $31.19

    LIMBAB1158_1
    LIMBAB1158
    1.06"
    x 4.38" x
    42.44"
    Edge defect,Wormholes,Small amount of skip planing

    $28.35

    LIMBAB1157_1
    LIMBAB1157
    0.94"
    x 4.81" x
    42.44"
    Skip planed,Wormholes

    $30.70

    LIMBAB1156_1
    LIMBAB1156
    0.94"
    x 4.75" x
    42.19"
    Wormhole,Small edge defect

    $29.25

    LIMBAB1151_1
    LIMBAB1151
    0.94"
    x 4.81" x
    43"
    Wormholes,Small edge defects

    $33.00

    LIMBAB1149_1
    LIMBAB1149
    1.13"
    x 4.94" x
    42.5"
    Wormholes,Small edge defects

    $31.50

    LIMBAB1146_1
    LIMBAB1146
    1.06"
    x 4.63" x
    42.5"
    Wormholes,Edge defect

    $28.75

    LIMBAB1141_1
    LIMBAB1141
    1.06"
    x 7.13" x
    42.94"
    Wormholes,Edge defect,

    $45.15

    LIMBAB1139_1
    LIMBAB1139
    1.06"
    x 6.25" x
    42.5"
    Wormholes,Small edge defects

    $39.40

    LIMBAB1138_1
    LIMBAB1138
    1.06"
    x 6.31" x
    42.5"
    Wormholes,

    $43.45

    LIMBAB1135_1
    LIMBAB1135
    1.94"
    x 11.5" x
    42.38"
    Skip planed,Crack,Wormholes

    $139.55

    LIMBAB1134_1
    LIMBAB1134
    1.94"
    x 11.4" x
    42.63"
    Wormholes,Skip planed,Edge defect

    $137.85

    LIMBAB1133_1
    LIMBAB1133
    1.88"
    x 9.75" x
    42.63"
    Edge defect,Skip planed,Wormholes

    $135.25

    LIMBAB1132_1
    LIMBAB1132
    1.94"
    x 9.88" x
    42.5"
    Wormhole,Bark inclusion

    $138.00

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    ALSO AVAILABLE (Limba)

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    Limba-Select&better-4/4Lumber-BlackLimba
    4/4 Lumber – Black Limba
    Select & better
    bf
    12
    bf
    no
    Limba-Select&better-8/4Lumber-BlackLimba

    8/4 Lumber – Black Limba

    Select & better
    bf
    12
    bf
    no
    Limba-Select&better-4/4Lumber-WhiteLimba

    4/4 Lumber – White Limba

    Select & better
    bf
    10
    bf
    no
    Limba-Select&better-8/4Lumber-WhiteLimba

    8/4 Lumber – White Limba

    Select & better
    bf
    10
    bf
    no

    30
      30
      Your Cart
      LIMBAB1146_1
      Limba
      LIMBAB1146
      1 X $28.75 = $28.75
      CHERR1531_1
      Cherry - American
      CHERR1531
      1 X $28.13 = $28.13
      LIMBAB1134_1
      Limba
      LIMBAB1134
      1 X $137.85 = $137.85
      BEECHES1157_1
      Beech - European
      BEECHES1157
      1 X $29.70 = $29.70
      COCO1555_1
      Cocobolo
      COCO1555
      1 X $45.80 = $45.80
      CHERR1523_1
      Cherry - American
      CHERR1523
      1 X $26.44 = $26.44
      AFROR1123_1
      Afrormosia
      AFROR1123
      1 X $29.24 = $29.24
      BEECHAM1121_1
      Beech - American
      BEECHAM1121
      1 X $38.98 = $38.98
      CEDARARO1220_1
      Cedar - Aromatic
      CEDARARO1220
      1 X $26.10 = $26.10
      BEECHES1151_1
      Beech - European
      BEECHES1151
      1 X $62.54 = $62.54
      BEECHES1149_1
      Beech - European
      BEECHES1149
      1 X $65.51 = $65.51
      AFROR1104_1
      Afrormosia
      AFROR1104
      1 X $40.72 = $40.72
      LIMBAB1151_1
      Limba
      LIMBAB1151
      1 X $33.00 = $33.00
      OAKRED1156_1
      Oak - Red
      OAKRED1156
      1 X $32.62 = $32.62
      BEECHES1163_1
      Beech - European
      BEECHES1163
      1 X $58.83 = $58.83
      BEECHAM1118_1
      Beech - American
      BEECHAM1118
      1 X $32.08 = $32.08
      CEDARARO1219_1
      Cedar - Aromatic
      CEDARARO1219
      1 X $27.43 = $27.43
      BEECHES1147_1
      Beech - European
      BEECHES1147
      1 X $59.53 = $59.53
      CHERR1536_1
      Cherry - American
      CHERR1536
      1 X $84.80 = $84.80
      WALNAM1691_1
      Walnut - American
      WALNAM1691
      1 X $34.36 = $34.36
      BEECHAM1117_1
      Beech - American
      BEECHAM1117
      1 X $44.04 = $44.04
      HICK1221_1
      Hickory
      HICK1221
      1 X $47.74 = $47.74
      BEECHES1158_1
      Beech - European
      BEECHES1158
      1 X $67.07 = $67.07
      BEECHAM1129_1
      Beech - American
      BEECHAM1129
      1 X $23.90 = $23.90
      AFROR1105_1
      Afrormosia
      AFROR1105
      1 X $32.32 = $32.32
      PURP1583_1
      Purpleheart
      PURP1583
      1 X $72.18 = $72.18
      PURP1596_1
      Purpleheart
      PURP1596
      1 X $341.34 = $341.34

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