RIFFING ON SUSTAINABILITY

We ask the makers what sustainability means to them

‘From a sustainable source’, ‘responsibly harvested’ – you probably don’t take such labels at face value when applied to a guitar wood any more than you would ‘healthy’ on a chicken sandwich. But ask guitar makers what they mean by sustainable tonewoods and you get some rich insights…

“The term ‘sustainable’ or ‘sustainability’ is probably the most overused word today. By definition, sustainability means the ability to sustain at a certain level over time. When people ask that question, I wonder are they talking about the species, the forest management unit, the broader ecosystem including all the critters and people long-dependent upon the resource? Are they talking about our waste stream, our energy use, how our employees travel to work? I really try to avoid using the word loosely. I can only speak for Taylor Guitars, but I do know where we are and what direction we need to head on our journey to be more sustainable.”

BOB TAYLOR, TAYLOR GUITARS

“Wood that can be used in an ongoing way without having a negative impact on ecological balance.”

ADRIAN LUCAS, AJ LUCAS GUITARS

“I think to be sustainable is to have a deep respect for the materials you’re using. If you can’t trace where it came from, then you probably shouldn’t be using it. Increasingly, sustainability for the future is about trying to innovate in such a way that we’re not relying on these tropical timbers, and trying to create a narrative for the materials that you do use and educate yourself in a way that you can suggest alternatives to the client.”

TOM SANDS, LUTHIER

“Doing right by your environment, doing right by these magnificent forests and what we have left. For me, there’s not a lot of distinction between where I end and where the forest begins. I grew up there. It’s part of me. I’m part of it. I’ll go back into the dirt when I’m done. So if I go in and smash things up and disregard best practices of harvest, this doesn’t sit right; it’s not really an option for me. Our main priority is true sustainability. We’re not trying to maximise the monetary value as quickly as possible and move on to the next place. We’re looking at what can we do to keep this bit of forest healthy and providing a limited amount of wood in perpetuity.”

JOSH JOHANSEN, KOAGUITARSETS (ON THE INTERVAL PODCAST)