What IS Fakimba?

[crunchee]

I found this old thread about a Robin Rawhide, and it got my curiosity goin'. Anybody know for sure what Fakimba is, offhand? TIA!

http://www.hamerfanclub.com/forums/topic/35214-robin-rawhide-fakimbakorina/

[hamerhead]

Fake limba.

[crunchee]

Fake limba.

OK...so what kind of wood IS fake limba?

[The Shark]

I have three or four Fakimba Robin guitars. I'd not seen wood that exactly matched those guitars until I bought a Doug Kauer Daylighter made from Spanish Cedar. Dave Wintz and Greg from BCR told me I'm wrong, but I think it's just to keep the mystery alive.

[crunchee]

I have three or four Fakimba Robin guitars. I'd not seen wood that exactly matched those guitars until I bought a Doug Kauer Daylighter made from Spanish Cedar. Dave Wintz and Greg from BCR told me I'm wrong, but I think it's just to keep the mystery alive.

Thanks for the info, that's intriguing...if it is Spanish Cedar, have you noticed any issues with wood softness? How does it sound?

[django49]

Cedar IS a softwood. I love it on a few guitars, including one Duo-Tone CO.

IIRC, Spanish Cedar is NOT cedar. Rather, it is part of the mahogany family. It seems to be very highly regarded. Claimed to be a integral part of the Ruokangas guitar "secret tone formula", along with heat treated BIRCH(!!) for guitar tops. I have wanted to try one out, but no chance yet. I believe it falls somewhere between mahogany and korina (limba) as a tonewood.

[cmatthes]

I thought "Fakimba" was similar to "Paulowina", no?

[crunchee]

I think that Paulownia is somewhat different than most woods resembling mahogany or limba; from the database below, they say it supposedly resembles catalpa, which they say supposedly resembles ash. It's called Kiri in Japan, and they've used it in traditional Japanese furniture for centuries.

http://www.wood-database.com/lumber-identification/hardwoods/paulownia/

[zorrow]

It might actually be Spanish Cedar. Never been close to a Fakimba guitar, but the lighter-colored "Cedro" does look like it: http://www.wood-database.com/lumber-identification/hardwoods/spanish-cedar/

[Steve Haynie]

When someone (BlueWhiteRed ?) posted photos of mango wood guitars it looked a lot like Fakimba.

[zorrow]

When someone (BlueWhiteRed ?) posted photos of mango wood guitars it looked a lot like Fakimba.

It was me. Mango tree guitars, built by Bacchus. Didn't look the same to me though. Mango seems to have colored patterns that aren't present in Spanish Cedar. Some more info: http://www.wood-database.com/lumber-identification/hardwoods/mango/

[The Shark]

I don't have the Kauer any longer, but it was exactly the same grain pattern and lighter weight as my Robins. It sounds very much like mahogany. My Robin Vee sounds like a light Les Paul.

[hamerhead]

I'd Fukimbasinger.

[crunchee]

Took a look at the Spanish Cedar page on 'The Wood Database' website that Zorrow kindly pointed out , and as far as characteristics not including sound (which was already described above as being similar to mahogany and/or limba), general average density and Janka hardness just slightly exceeds alder, so that puts my mind at ease regarding wood 'softness'.

This isn't exactly a 'NGD' yet as it's on Layaway for the Holidays, but I got a good deal on a Fakimba-bodied Robin Avalon Sport that I couldn't refuse, which is also in Gold Sparkle...it might even BE one of these guitars, AFAIK. I've been jonesin' for a LP Junior-type of guitar anyway, and this seems to fit the bill:

https://reverb.com/item/908606-robin-avalon-sport-gold-sparkle-excellent/similar

http://rebel-guitars.com/preowned-robin-avalon-sport/

[crunchee]

Can't hardly wait for Santa Claus...

[The Shark]

Can't hardly wait for Santa Claus...

That was the Dan Kashola's. He's the king of Robin guitars. I don't know what that makes me? I have fourteen Robins. You will love it.

[crunchee]

Cool, many thanks for the info, Shark! It got me wondering, since you were able to I.D. it...is this the ONLY Robin Avalon Sport like this, with these features?

[The Shark]

Cool, many thanks for the info, Shark! It got me wondering, since you were able to I.D. it...is this the ONLY Robin Avalon Sport like this, with these features?

To be sure, you could go to the Robin Lovers Forum (not dead yet) and ask the question. Kashola or Mr. Wintz himself will answer that. I've never seen another in gold, but there are some other Fakimba Sports out there.

[crunchee]

Thanks for the info Shark, I appreciate it! I do dig the look, I normally don't go for sparkle finishes, but this one looks right...it kinda reminds me of a Frost Gold Danny Gatton Signature Tele in a way, looks-wise.

[The Shark]

Thanks for the info Shark, I appreciate it! I do dig the look, I normally don't go for sparkle finishes, but this one looks right...it kinda reminds me of a Frost Gold Danny Gatton Signature Tele in a way, looks-wise.

If it isn't a keeper, let me know. Damn...

[Ting Ho Dung]

I'd Fukimbasinger.

Now that was just outré.

[mc2]

"Fukimba" is what we used to say when someone would put that crappy

Japanese anime cartoon " Kimba the White Lion" on the T.V.