WOODS

We are in a world with less natural resources each day. Of course, woods and forests are also included and as a consequence, there are some extinguished species and many of them becoming extinct.
It is important to take conscience about this matter although this is not a page about ecology .
Both of them, luthier and musician, are persons connected with sensitiveness, equilibrium and aesthetic values and so, they are not indifferent to this considerations.
Although governments must define reforestation policies as well as care for species, I think it is on craftsman's part to investigate and experiment consciously about the use of new woods, raw materials and procedures, so as not to affect the environment.

In South America there is an enormous diversity of hardwoods and softwoods, both of great beauty and acoustic quality. Some of them, are now in danger due to irrational exploitation done by multinational lumber dealers, while entire forests are intentionally destroyed and converted into desert lands like the River Amazonas' deep valley.
Now then, craftsman is not responsible for this misbehavior, since its amount of work is minimum, compared with industry requirements: many furniture factories as well as musical instruments factories producing large quantities of low-standard quality articles. Which are placed first in consumer's minds thanks to advertising investments.

To understand that working with wood is like dealing with an organic material, it helps to visualize it as a tree once full of life, and now keeping it somehow.
It is important to know the sources where different woods come from and if these tree species are in risk.
This way of working helps to appreciate wood. So, each step in lutherie is bound to harmonize with it. This attitude reveals in every detail.

It is the heart and soul of this work.

WOODS CHARACTERISTICS

Each wood has different properties, according to its species.
Density. Weight. Stability. Grain pattern. Color. These are structural properties as well as aesthetical properties.
It is gratifying to know these wood properties in order to bring out its best. Using them as they are up to and combining them properly.
That is the way to build a well balanced instrument, keeping its precision and beauty.

There is a wide variety of woods.

All trees fall into three groups: hardwoods, semi-hardwoods, and softwoods.

Hardwoods are compact. Generally, they are very dense and strong, and also very heavy. They are used to make pieces which support tension and abrasion, as in fingerboards, tailpieces, some bridges, and so on.

Semi-hardwoods are less compact and have lower density and weight. These woods work well on pieces that withstand tension while maintaining high vibration response, as it can be seen on necks, bridges, and the bodies of acoustic and electric instruments.

Softwoods are lightweight and less compact. Harmonic pines with straight and close grains are specifically used to make acoustic instruments. Softwoods are also used to get particular tones on the body of electric instruments.