How Guitar Construction Will Change In The Coming Years

[kimball492]

Interesting article thought you guys might like to read. https://reverb.com/blog/How-Guitar-C...51f39-56321901

[Andy40]

Did not know that about Rosewood....interesting

[DrNomis_44]

Yep, very interesting kimball492, I guess the US Federal Marshalls invoked the Lacey Act probably because Ebony and Rosewood trees are dwindling in numbers.

Ned Steinberger, the guy who invented and designed the Headless Guitar and Bass used Carbon Fibre and Stainless Steel frets on his guitars as alternative materials.


I seem to remember reading somewhere that the fretboard on my LP studio is made using Granadillo Wood, it looks a bit like Rosewood to me.

[kimball492]

Pleasure guys glad you enjoyed the read.

[keloooe]

Nice read KB and yes Nomis, Gibbo are starting to use different woods, granadillo is one of them, their new LP Juniors have baked maple which is definitely interesting...

[DrNomis_44]

Nice read KB and yes Nomis, Gibbo are starting to use different woods, granadillo is one of them, their new LP Juniors have baked maple which is definitely interesting...

For sure, there was a guitar maker in the seventies, I think it was Travis Bean, who was making guitars that featured necks made from Aluminium (probably Aircraft grade), Jerry Garcia, the guitarist in the sixties Psychedelic Band The Grateful Dead used to own one and was impressed by it's stability and playability.


So, I'm guessing that manufacturers will start looking more and more at using alternative woods and materials for building guitars in the near future, who knows, we may eventually see the first guitar that uses Digital Electronics technology which requires no strings and can sound practically identical to traditionally made guitars (non-software based).

[dingobass]

But lets not forget our own tonewoods.
Tassie Blackwood
Tassie Myrtle
Black hearted Sassafras
Queensland Maple
Beef Heart
Gidgee
Boonari
Just to name a few..

As Aussie builders, I feel we should turn away from imported timbers as we have plenty of our own

[wazkelly]

Sounds like we will see more maple fret board versions from the volume manufacturers which is not a bad thing and probably better than the plastic wood stuff they will use to substitute for ebony & rosewood.

I think Kramer had an aluminium neck back in the 70's or early 80's which was not popular however I wish I had the spare coin when Steinberger Basses were introduced. From memory they were about $1,800 around 1983/84 and you could buy the flashiest Roland synth for about the same amount of money or had change in your pocket if you bought a run of the mill Gibbo LP from the same era.

He DB, suppose it is a bit too expensive to set up some kits with those Aussie timbers you listed therefore only for the bravehearts having a crack at a scratchy?

[dingobass]

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...... Steinberger Bass.........
I can remember how blown away we were when these bad boys hit the market.

Anyhoo, no chance of getting our kits made from Aussie timbers as the cost would be over the top..

[kimball492]

Here you go DB, does wood make a difference to guitars lol. Supposedly they recorded a Strat and a Gittler blind recordings and the audience picked the Gittler as the wooden recorded guitar. I'd like to have a play but aesthetically I just prefer wood, personal I guess.

http://youtu.be/2eEB-vJic_o