Horrific wildfires in Australia destroyed much, inspired musicians and guitar builders and offered many lessons to be learned.
Posts
Out of Africa: Changing the world one guitar at a time
A Canadian guitar maker initiated a trade school in Uganda that trains young people to make world class guitars.
Sleeping giants: Ancient Kauri from Far North New Zealand
Old growth Kauri trees are now found only in small remnant areas. But huge ancient logs buried in peat yield spectacular wood.
The Cadillac of Woods: Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood has a long history as a prized tonewood, but its over-exploitation and subsequent trade restrictions mean it is now scarce.
Quenda, Zanda, Jacaranda! What’s in a name?
Correctly identifying and putting a name to species is important for both conservation and trade. Many species are at increasing risk of extinction, including some of the trees that produce the most prized guitar woods. Here I look at the ins and outs of biological names.
Mighty oaks, whisky and guitars
Guitars and whisky barrels? The oak wood in the Fylde Single Malt Ariel started life in Kentucky and cycled through bourbon and single malt whisky barrels.
From forest giant in Canada to floorboards in Australia
How the global timber trade turned giant Douglas Fir from Vancouver Island into floorboards in Fremantle.
The big picture: storylines for the nature of music
Traditional materials for making guitars have been getting scarcer and caught up in tangles with trade restrictions. How are guitar makers responding?
At home with the Hendersons
Visiting guitar-making father and daughter, Wayne and Jayne Henderson, in Virginia and North Carolina and watching amazing guitars being created.
A message from Richard Hoover of Santa Cruz Guitar Company
Guitar makers, like virtually everyone, have been impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic in many ways, but continue to hope for a better future.