A strip of beech is laminated onto the redwood base.
This gives a much better finish to the holes when drilling and strengthens the loom.
The loom is thus lighter than if it were made with solid beech, and more economical to send.
The loom is also not as expensive as using solid beech despite the extra manufacturing to add the strip.
Overall a significantly better product.

Please note photographs may only be of quarter metre looms.