Scarcity of high-grade woods?

[candid_x]

Interesting article and thread. Thanks, BP, for your personal comments on this.

My 2 cents worth of nothing: It appears that high end collectors will gather the rarest of desired woods, and common folks will adapt to alternatives eventually. I suspect there's a fair amount of myth, where the magical properties of only certain woods are concerned. I, for example, am fond of alder. But if my guitar was made of poplar under that pretty finish, would I even recognize the difference? Does the compromise really matter, beyond my own consumer's preexisting perception of it?

The Bongo non-wood alternative is, imo, a very gutsy consideration. Even though it hasn't yet worked out, I applaud BP's tenacity to continue exploring the possibilities.

 

[candid_x]

I know that there is a guy down here in Texas that makes guitars out of mesquite wood, which grows like weeds down here. Don't know how the guitars play or sound.....if nothing else, they may make for a tasty bar-b-que.

Mesquite is quite common here as firewood. But who knows?

I had a black walnut LP, and managed a band whose lead guitarist also had one exactly like it. I thought they sounded and looked great. Black walnut is very oily, so it didn't even require a finish, just a good buffing. Since then I've always wondered why more black walnut solid body guitars weren't made. A natural black walnut Silo would sure get my attention.

 

[darchirnoj]

Mesquite is quite common here as firewood. But who knows?

I know, hence the b-b-q remark.

 

[NorM]

This is why five years ago I went on a quest to find a renewable material that would be an equal substitute to pre existing wood for the bongo. I failed but am still trying.

24th great thread

One of the ways that alternative are woods become more aceptable is the modern applications in curing sawing and more consistant manufacturing techinques that are being used industrty wide.

Way cool chime

A quote to live by from one of my cousins:
You haven't failed until you quit trying.

I would be intrested in hearing more about modern applications in curing and sawing.

Again, way cool chime

 

[Axilla]

This is a very interesting thread and an even more interesting topic. I'm absolutely curious about what will be the result of the quest for the "new tonewoods".
Approaching my first handfull of EBMM axes I do have to state that none of them features a birdseye neck, which "curiously enough" doesn't seem to have negative impact on the great tones you get of of them at all. I do agreed that birdseye looks absolutely fantastic (own an artisan God*n with some), but hey - when it is gone - it's gone. That is not to say that any sort of nice wood - especially tone woods - should be exploited to their extinction, but rather that we should arrange for sustained cultivation and reasonable utilization of the natural resources we consume.
I'll follow this thread with huge interest !

 

[Pablo]

BP, how is the supply of non-birdseye maple? Basswood? Poplar? Alder?

There are no problems in getting these woods where I live.
I think people keep forgetting that deforrestation isn't a problem of the total number of trees in the world. There are actually quite a few more trees in a country like Denmark now than was the case 100 years ago...

However, certain regions have been forrested beyond reason, leading to a depletion of certain hardwoods. I simply believe we need to learn to live without rosewoods, koa, hondouras mahogany and a truckload of other "exotics", and learn to appreciate and respect the nature that supply these raw materials in only acquiring woods from responsible sources.

I have no doubt that there are great tones to be found in non-traditional woods (sycamore, cherrywood, tulipwood or birch might be candidates) and moreover, that my "needs" as a guitarist never should go before a sustainable ecology - especially in a context concerning the few remaining rotten apples in the lumber industry.

Cheers

Eske

 

[philiprst]

Whatever you think of Gibson, they have done a good job in lowering the environental impact of the harvesting of tonewoods. They have been working with the Rainforest Alliance for over ten years and are now sourcing sustainable mahogany directly from subsistence farmers and loggers in Honuras. I realize that Gibson is a big company and can do things on the international scale that are hard for other small companies. But it is a good start.

 

[meenahga]

A good portion of tropical deforestation comes from clear cutting to make room for cattle. Remember this next time you have a Big Mac. I was surprised to find out about this, but it is true!

 

[the24thfret]

Yeah, I don't eat big macs. I don't eat what I don't consider to be food.

philiprst, that's interesting about Gibson. I'll try to find some info online about this.

 

[Sub1 Zero]

The Bongo non-wood alternative is, imo, a very gutsy consideration. Even though it hasn't yet worked out, I applaud BP's tenacity to continue exploring the possibilities.

Something that makes this a truly great company, they are always looking for ways to innovate and improve

 

[greenwizard]

Yeah, I don't eat big macs. I don't eat what I don't consider to be food.
this.

Heeeheeeheee!!

 

[the24thfret]

its true

 

[acwild]

I think the composite material guitars are pretty cool. Especially since there's less maintenence involved. There just doesn't seem to be any out there that I like though.

 

[greenwizard]

^^I think that's because there's little to no market for high-quality composite guitars. People willing to pay 1500+ for a guitar aren't going to risk it on a composite. This could change if the market gets shaken by rising wood prices...
My guitar teacher plays a composite, and it's a decent workhorse guitar but for all his live and studio stuff he has an LP and a few other vintage pieces. I'm working on converting him!!

 

[uvacom]

Big Poppa - you mention alternative materials for guitar construction. Have you ever tried a Flaxwood guitar? They're a small Finnish company, and their whole thing is building guitars out of an ecological, sustainable material. I only tried one briefly because a trustafarian friend of mine has lots of expensive boutique stuff languishing about, but it seemed to be of a very high quality - I don't get the impression that they're using the stuff because it's cheap (the materials probably are, but we're of course talking about an entirely different method of manufacturing, which for a company like EBMM would be a pretty expensive endeavor).

 

[Quarter]

Alternative woods and materials is a very interesting subject. I can only guess what the future may hold.
Maybe combine a little nano tech to build a framework and grow genetically engineered cellulose fiber over it.

Meanwhile back in the real world, here is an interesting place in Costa Rica that is custom farming hardwoods for customers.
Tropical American Tree Farms - growing precious tropical hardwoods for you!

 

[candid_x]

Maybe combine a little nano tech to build a framework and grow genetically engineered cellulose fiber over it.

M

I like your thinking, even if it is ahead of its time. Computer modeling of organic matter, micro-genetics etc. Might even grow the entire guitar body and neck, already formed.

Ok, time to increase the drip dose. Nurse!

 

[coma4by]

Man imagine how expensive the rare woods are going to get once JP replaces all of his 1st gen guitars with the BFR's. . Those are the only ones I see him Play now. it is going to go through the roof.

Mike Portnoy used so much Maple on his kits that on his new one(Which is the biggest he has ever had)is made of acrylic.

 

[Warg Master]

Almost once a month you get forumites disappointed about their birdseye. It is just like gold and almost as hard to find. The fact that we have never charged a premium is something I wish prople would recognize as it will be on of those things when you guys are sitting in your rocking chairs saying, " remember that crazy coot Big Poppa?,, He was so nuts he gave birds eye away!"

<asskissing>
I've NEVER been disappointed with the birdseye in any of my EBMMs!! I don't see how anyone could be disappointed in anything about EBMMs!!!!
</asskissing>

 

[Sub1 Zero]

^ I second that

I know this is way out there and I don't know jack diddley about biology, but is there a way to replicate trees? Or do you just have to plant them and let them grow?

Edit: Ok so that was vague, let me explain myself better. What I mean by replicating trees, is kinda how dog breeders can breed dogs for temperment, health, etc. Is there a procedure that could achieve similar results in trees, where one could grow only trees that are fit for their craft? Might seem dumb but it's just a potshot idea