woods show 31 mar 2013
TRANSCRIPT
Know Your WoodsKnowing where your guitar originated helps provide a better appreciation
for the instrument.
The example guitar is a Carvin Carved Top that represents traditional wood combinations and construction similar to that found on many well known guitars, such as the Gibson Les Paul, or a Paul Reed Smith.
Maps and associated descriptions are from the Music Wood Campaign, and Forest Legality. Additional images from Wikipedia
http://www.musicwood.org/index.htmlhttp://www.forestlegality.org
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonewood
Flamed Maple
- Found across the Earth’s northern temperate zone- Very common wood for making necks, backs and sides. - Bigleaf maple is not considered an endangered species.- Carvin’s Flamed Maple tops come from the Northwest portion of the US.
Maple
http://www.m
usicw
ood.org/index.htm
l
Maplehttp://farm
1.staticflickr.com/14/88845649_b23f427d19.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7088/7363791656_efd7dc525b_z.jpg
http://www.forestryforum.com
/images/
04_01_03/100_0144%20ao.jpg
Illegal logging is a serious threat to maples:
Video Link; WA. Komo News Jan 2013; Theieves Hacking Down Majestic Trees
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Thieves-hacking-down-majestic-trees-to-support-drug-habit-188511101.html?tab=video&c=y
Ebony
Ebony
http://www.forestlegality.org/category/country/cameroon
“Big trees of the species are nearly all gone throughout its natural range, including in remote areas. Little is known about how the species regenerates, but because it is so isolated in natural forests and grows so slowly, it is listed as “Endangered” by the IUCN.”
- Most sought after wood for stringed instruments- Native to tropics in the Americas, Africa & Asia- Cameroon last place on Earth legally harvested- Most mature trees in India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia & Madagascar been
removed
http://betterhardwoods.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/ebony-tree.jpg
Ebony
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ébano.jpg
Harvesters cannot tell which of the one in 10 trees will yield the prized dark black variety until it is cut down.
“The last forests (the tiny bits of green in the NASA image of Madagascar on the right) are critical for the welfare and even survival of Madagascar’s people, one of the world’s most impoverished nations.”David Braun of National Geographic on May 20, 2010
http://newsw
atch.nationalgeographic.com/2010/05/20/
madagascar_logging_crisis/
Some of the most desired ebony was (in some cases still is) harvested in Madagascar.
Ebony
Mahogany
Mahogany- Tropical lands such as Central America / Honduras = most precious
- Huge, long-lived & very slow growing- Typically used 300-400 years old
- The worlds most valuable tropical wood species- Used in guitars to pianos, and products such as furniture, boats, and
coffins.- Now listed in the global Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)
http://www.forestlegality.org/category/use/musical-instruments
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahogany
Mahogany
Adult woman
http://www.cites.org/eng/news/pr/2003/031111_mahogany.shtml
Mahogany
Many guitar manufactures operate legally, and support efforts intended to safeguard the future of tonewoods. Show your support to those who do. One way is to look for the Forrest Stewardship Council (FSC).
Guitars are made from trees, in many cases harvested from old growth forests facing extinction. Appreciate your guitar, treat it well, and above all honor the trees by using your guitar to make music!
~Bonnie Raitt
We have the responsibility to be good stewards of our resources. Responsible logging practices need to be instituted and enforced to protect the future of these trees– the tonewoods– we hold dear.
"This is a tree ya know... honor it; play it~"
https://us.fsc.org
Next up;Alder, rosewood, and spruce…