Here are some of the woods I use for making turntable plinths, their hardness on the Janka scale, which is the lb/square inch required to imbed a .444 steel ball to half of its diameter into the surface of the wood, and its density, measured in lbs/cubic ft.

* Artist Series wood: Special boards which are very difficult to find, expensive, and often require special techniques in the process of creating an LP12 plinth.

Afromosia or African Teak. From Equatorial West Africa. This was the wood of the original LP12 plinths. Often has a nice ribbon grain pattern. Takes a great polish. Hardness: 2524 Density: 54

Amazique or Shedua. From Equatorial West Africa. This wood has a beautiful, almost metallic shimmer, brass colored, to brown. Takes a very nice polish. Hardness:1650 Density: 52

European Beech. Throughout Europe, Native to Southern England. Excellent tool wood. Stable and Strong. Light in color. Hardness:1300 Density: 51

Bocote* Mexico and Central America. Very beautiful wood, orange Brown, with black stripes. Difficult to work. Amazing polish. Difficult to find suitable stock, but worth the effort. Hardness: 2200 Density: 58

Bubinga or African Rosewood. Tropical Africa. Huge trees, Often wildly figured wood. Very stable and strong. Beautiful reddish colors. Takes a gorgoeus polish. A favorite for LP12 plinths. Hardness: 2628 Density: 55

Claro Walnut. From Coastal Northern California, Oregon. Similar to Black Walnut, with a wider range of color including reds. Often figured. Hardness:1130 Density: 36

Cherry. From the Midwest, through the Eastern US. Commonly available wood used in fine furniture. Hardness: 950 Density: 33

Cocobolo* From Mexico and Central America. Stunningly beautiful. Reds, black, orange, yellow, purple, amazing. Glassy polish. A popular LP12 plinth wood. Hardness: 1136 Density:63

Ebony*. Various species from Africa, Asia, Indonesia. Most are very dark black. Macassar Ebony typically having blond streaks. Amazing LP12 plinth wood. Very rich and takes a glassy polish. Hardness: 3220 Density:68





Flamewood* Very similar in look to Cocobolo, but more chatoyant. Takes a glassy polish. almost impossible to find.


Jacaranda Pardo* From South America. Also called Pau Ferro. Takes a glassy polish. Excellent LP12 plinth wood when available. Hardness: 2713 Density: 57

Koa* Grows only in Hawaii. Traditionally used for outrigger canoes. Very beautiful wood, often figured. Hardness: 1551 Density: 37

Ancient Kauri* The oldest workable wood, consistently carbon dating 40-50,000 years old. From New Zealand. Ancient trees that died, buried in swamps, preserved, and recently excavated. Chatoyant. Hardness: 875 Density: 38

Madrone. From the Northern California coast, through Oregon, into British Columbia. Beautiful wood, reddish brown. Takes a great polish. Hardness: 1460 Density: 43

Honduras Mahogany. From Central and South America, Caribbean Islands. Intensely beautiful reddish color, very rich grain patterns. One of my favorite woods. Hardness: 1100 Density: 40

Makore or African Cherry. From Tropical Africa. Similar in color to Mahogany with a finer grain. Chatoyant. Excellent LP12 plinth wood. Hardness: 1294 Density: 43

Western Big Leaf Maple. From Coastal Oregon, through coastal British Columbia This is the Maple used for Violin backs/ necks, guitar bodies, and is often highly figured. Hardness: 850 Density: 35

Movingui or Nigerian Satinwood. From Tropical West Africa. Chatoyant, Light to yellow color. One of the best sounding LP12 plinths. Hardness: 1278 Density: 45

Myrtle* From coastal Northern California, to Coastal Oregon. Beautiful Beige to gray, and brown colors. Often figured. Highly prized wood. Hardness: 812 Density: 36

White Oak. From coastal Northern California, to Coastal Oregon. Beautiful Beige to gray, and brown colors. Often figured. Highly prized wood. Hardness: 812 Density: 36


Rosewood. Numerous species from South America, Asia, Africa. Dalbergia species. Cocobolo is a true Rosewood. Species include Indian, Bolivian, Santos, Mayan, Brazilian (unobtanium), Guatamalan, many others. Most all are unique and beautiful. Hardness ranges from average to very hard. Density is average to quite dense.





Sapele. From Tropical Africa Similar in colorto Mahogany. Typical ribbon grain. Very pretty. Excellent LP12 plinth wood. Hardness:1439 Density: 41

Ceylon Satinwood* From India. Intensely beautiful, light color to yellowish. Very Chatoyant. Incredible LP12 plinth wood. Takes a glassy polish. Hardness: 2600 Density: 64

Tigerwood. From Brazil. Beautiful wood with wild stripes. Takes a beautiful polish. Hardness: 2160 Density: 59


Wenge. From Tropical West Africa. I said it, My FAVORITE LP12 plinth wood. Dark brown with black stripes. The black grain takes a polish exactly like glass. Excellent performer. Hardness: 2235 Density: 54

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