An interesting column in the Washington Post by the founder of Taylor Guitars: https://wapo.st/4o04W7x (should be a gift link). Headline is I traced my guitar company’s supply chain upstream. It led to elephants. A brief but interesting read.
5 Likes
This is one reason I like Taylor Guitars. I studied as a biologist and ecologist so things like this are important to me.
Taylor has engaged in tree planting efforts around the world. They also plant koa trees in Hawaii and I’m sure they do more elsewhere.
It wasn’t necessarily on my radar when I began playing guitar, but it is now and I try to make sure that major parts of any instrument I buy (or make) are produced from sustainable sources. I think Taylor is a significant part of why other guitar manufacturers are looking at sustainable source materials, as well. I really applaud PRS for using reclaimed wood. I believe I’ve seen other guitar makers using wood from urban trees. There’s certainly more than one way to go about this.
1 Like
Yeah, Carmine Street Guitars uses reclaimed wood and have a new series of “Bowery Guitars” using wood recycled from NYC buildings (Carmine Street Guitars). There’s also Cindy Hulej (I think a protege or employee of Carmine Street) who does the same, often with some fascinating woodburned tops.
3 Likes
I saw this video shortly after I bought my Taylor GS Mini. Made me really pleased that I had some brown streaks in my ebony fingerboard.
5 Likes
I liked that my GS Mini fretboard had color/character but I didn’t know this story about it.
2 Likes
I am a big fan of Carmine Street guitars. I follow a few Instas from their shop.
Edit, yeah Cindy is one of them.
Firstly, thanks for the links to the article and excellent video. I feel so ashamed. I love trees/forests, I’ve been a member of the UK Woodland Trust for many years, set up to arrest the deforestation in the UK. Why am I ashamed? Because I recently bought a GS mini, which I love, but was surprised/ disappointed to see the wood not perfect. Thank you for reopening my eyes.
2 Likes
ah, but the wood is always perfect! all of the natural variations are lovely. to me, an “imperfection” is a crack or split. a structural defect, if you will. but even then, sometimes you can still use wood with defects.
but then again, I’m the person who installs “cabin grade” hardwood floors in my house and sees this as more desirable than “perfect” ones. and I install a live edge fireplace mantel and built-in shelves/cabinets (all made from the same slab) and considers it more desirable. and I am building an electric guitar and an electric ukulele out of ambrosia maple, highlighting the bug holes and the streaking from the fungus the beetles brought in.
1 Like
I like the way @Mustela thinks, but then that’s not surprising given my father was a carpenter and my wife and I both love all of the interesting things one finds in wood. The PRS I purchased last winter is a “reclaimed wood” limited edition, and the history behind the materials was definitely one of the attractions (I’m also chuffed that I got a very pretty guitar).
I’d love to see photos of the ambrosia maple guitar and ukulele you built.
2 Likes
Still working on them, but I’m getting closer to the end.
Guitars, Instruments & Maintenance - JustinGuitar Community