Maton Guitars of Melbourne, Australia has released a stunning new brochure on tonewoods.
But does the marketing work?
Is it the message for the 21st century?
Whilst we acknowledge and have a deep respect for traditional tonewoods, we are also excited by the potential we have discovered in non-traditional (alternative) woods.
The musical instrument making community is becoming increasingly concerned about the lack of availability of some of their favorite traditional tonewoods. … it would be environmentally irresponsible to keep utilising these timbers without looking for alternatives.
We are fortunate enough to have the support of many of Australia’s most knowledgeable and skilled timber gatherers and continue to try new species….
This last statement completely bowls me over!
Maton still don’t get it do they?
Tonewood is about hunting and gathering??? WTF!!
I thought we had left those days behind. I thought this was the 21st century.
If you want tonewood for the future you need to plant, grow and harvest trees. It is not about hunting and gathering! Those forests have gone!
In the 21st century the future of tonewoods is about THE GROWER – who manages the forest, who plants the trees!
To their credit Maton devotes a beautiful two page spread to blackwood. But the idea that we should be actively growing blackwood for tonewood production still hasn’t entered Maton’s conscience.
In all 15 tonewoods are described, but very little about where the wood comes from, who grows it or whether is it sustainable. Once upon a time I would have mentioned certification (PEFC/FSC) but my faith in forest certification is gone.
In today’s market it’s not enough to just say “it’s not rosewood” or “it’s alternative”.
The whole point of the “alternative tonewoods” story is not just to demonstrate the woods have good acoustic and aesthetic properties, but that they come from ethical, sustainable, profitable (for the grower) sources.
Maton needs to demonstrate commitment not just to using alternative tonewoods, but to supporting those who grow these quality timbers.
“Gathering” isn’t good enough.
Maton Guitars was a pioneer in the use of alternative tonewoods long before they became important.
It’s now time for Maton to take the next step in their commitment.
Unfortunately this glossy brochure just doesn’t do it!
PS. In their defense most other guitar makers are on the same page as Maton.
New Zealand Cypress Market Report
And one VERY switched on sawmiller!!
This has little to do with farm grown Tasmanian blackwood, but in terms of where I wish the forest industry in Tasmania was right now, this is a fantastic example. In fact I would rate this little piece as one of the best things I’ve read in my 40 year career as a forester:
http://www.nzffa.org.nz/specialty-timber-market/headlines/member-profile—macdirect/
It’s a shame it’s hidden away in a corner of the New Zealand Farm Forestry Association (NZFFA) website so that very few people will ever read it.
I suspect Murray Grant, Director/Owner of MacDirect Ltd., didn’t set out to write a cypress market report. But that is exactly what this is. This “member profile” is jam packed with lots of useful information for existing and potential cypress growers.
Most Tasmanians would only know macrocarpa cypress as large scraggly farm windbreak trees. Only a handful of Tasmanians know that this tree is fast growing and produces a high value, high quality, durable timber. New Zealand farmers have been growing it in commercial plantations for 40 years. There are only a handful of small cypress plantations in Tasmania.
MacDirect Ltd is NZ’s number 1 Building Grade Macrocarpa supplier.
https://www.macdirect.co.nz/
To me the thing that makes Murray Grant unique is that he’s not just thinking about how to improve his sawmills profitability; he’s not just thinking about the logs that will be coming into his sawmill tomorrow or next week.
He’s thinking about the logs that will be harvested in 10, 20 and 30 years time!!
He’s thinking about the trees that need to be planted tomorrow!!
The major priority of EVERY sawmiller is NOT to produce profitable sawn timber! That’s the easy part of the business!!
Given that timber takes 30+ years to grow, the major priority of every sawmiller is to ensure that farmers are growing more (profitable) trees for wood production to meet market demand.
Sawing up logs is the easy part!!!
And Murray Grant knows this when he says:
We would love to hear from any farm foresters who are keen to work closely with us to grow plantations into the future, get our perspective on silviculture for the marketplace and/or look at log price and harvesting.
Murray Grant knows the critical part that sawmillers (and the market generally) play in ensuring their own future.
Murray Grant is a hero!
He needs a medal!!
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Posted in Commentary, New Zealand, Uncategorized
Tagged MacDirect Ltd