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…