Post by Garland on Jul 9, 2021 8:45:34 GMT -5
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Does It Have to Be Wood?
One way to preserve resources might be to find an alternative material—something other than wood—to make acoustic guitars from. A few of our panel have experimented with such stuff. Mat at Gibson says the company has tested synthetic materials for acoustic guitars since the mid-'70s.
"I've not tried one of those, but I've tried non-wood acoustic guitars ranging from the low to the very high end, and I believe they are fun," Mat says. "I'm not convinced they have the same soul and character as wood, but they are surprisingly resonant. A little bright, if memory serves."
Don Ruffatto, a Gibson product specialist at the firm's Bozeman, Montana, acoustic factory, adds: "Guitars made with synthetic materials do not have the ability to age, mature, and develop the 'vintage tone' that players strive for."
Tim at Martin says he's experimented with many non-wood materials for use in building acoustic instruments. "Our X-series is a prime example of experimental materials incorporated into the design and manufacturing of these guitars. The materials we've used on an alternative basis are decorative HPL (high-pressure laminate), industrial HPL, aluminum, carbon fiber, thermoset acrylic, and partially impregnated wood laminates. The result is a very nice way to expand our tonal palette, plus we use alternative materials in a responsible way in our product lines—for example, industrial HPL like Richlite is used for fingerboards and bridges on certain instruments to save ebony and rosewood for more expensive instrument series."
One way to preserve resources might be to find an alternative material—something other than wood—to make acoustic guitars from. A few of our panel have experimented with such stuff. Mat at Gibson says the company has tested synthetic materials for acoustic guitars since the mid-'70s.
"I've not tried one of those, but I've tried non-wood acoustic guitars ranging from the low to the very high end, and I believe they are fun," Mat says. "I'm not convinced they have the same soul and character as wood, but they are surprisingly resonant. A little bright, if memory serves."
Don Ruffatto, a Gibson product specialist at the firm's Bozeman, Montana, acoustic factory, adds: "Guitars made with synthetic materials do not have the ability to age, mature, and develop the 'vintage tone' that players strive for."
Tim at Martin says he's experimented with many non-wood materials for use in building acoustic instruments. "Our X-series is a prime example of experimental materials incorporated into the design and manufacturing of these guitars. The materials we've used on an alternative basis are decorative HPL (high-pressure laminate), industrial HPL, aluminum, carbon fiber, thermoset acrylic, and partially impregnated wood laminates. The result is a very nice way to expand our tonal palette, plus we use alternative materials in a responsible way in our product lines—for example, industrial HPL like Richlite is used for fingerboards and bridges on certain instruments to save ebony and rosewood for more expensive instrument series."
Now, the only problem right now is, where to find the money to afford one. 
