1. Knowing where your guitar originated helps provide a better appreciation for
the instrument.
The example guitar is a Carvin Carved Top that represents traditional wood
combinations and construction similar to that found on many well known guitars,
such as the Gibson Les Paul, or a Paul Reed Smith.
Maps and associated descriptions are from the Music Wood Campaign, and Forest
Legality. Additional images from Wikipedia
http://www.musicwood.org/index.html
http://www.forestlegality.org
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonewood

2. Flamed Maple

3. Maple
- Found across the Earth’s northern temperate zone
- Very common wood for making necks, backs and sides.
- Bigleaf maple is not considered an endangered species.
- Carvin’s Flamed Maple tops come from the Northwest portion of the US.
http://www.musicwood.org/index.html

4. http://farm1.staticflickr.com/14/88845649_b23f427d19.jpg
Maple
http://www.forestryforum.com
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7088/7363791656_efd7dc525b_z.j
/images/04_01_03/100_0144%20ao.jp
g

5. Illegal logging is a serious threat to maples:
Video Link; WA. Komo News Jan 2013; Theieves
Hacking Down Majestic Trees
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Thieves-hacking-down-majestic-trees-to-support-drug-habit-
188511101.html?tab=video&c=y

6. Ebony

7. Ebony
- Most sought after wood for stringed instruments
- Native to tropics in the Americas, Africa & Asia
- Cameroon last place on Earth legally harvested
- Most mature trees in India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia & Madagascar been removed
“Big trees of the species are nearly all gone throughout its natural range,
including in remote areas. Little is known about how the species regenerates, but
because it is so isolated in natural forests and grows so slowly, it is listed as
“Endangered” by the IUCN.” http://www.forestlegality.org/category/country/cameroon

8. Ebony
http://betterhardwoods.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/ebony-tree.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ébano.jpg
Harvesters cannot tell which of
the one in 10 trees will yield the prized
dark black variety until it is cut down.

9. Ebony
Some of the most desired ebony was
http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2010/05/20/madagascar_logging_crisis/
(in some cases still is) harvested in
Madagascar.
“The last forests (the tiny bits of green in
the NASA image of Madagascar on the right)
are critical for the welfare and even survival
of Madagascar’s people, one of the world’s
most impoverished nations.”
David Braun of National Geographic on May
20, 2010

10. Mahogany

11. Mahogany
- Tropical lands such as Central America / Honduras = most precious
- Huge, long-lived & very slow growing
- Typically used 300-400 years old
- The worlds most valuable tropical wood species
- Used in guitars to pianos, and products such as furniture, boats, and coffins.
- Now listed in the global Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species (CITES)
http://www.forestlegality.org/category/use/musical-instruments

12. Adult woman
Mahogany
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahogany

13. Mahogany
http://www.cites.org/eng/news/pr/2003/031111_mahogany.shtml

14. "This is a tree ya know... honor it; play it~"
~Bonnie Raitt
Guitars are made from trees, in many cases harvested from old growth
forests facing extinction. Appreciate your guitar, treat it well, and above all
honor the trees by using your guitar to make music!
We have the responsibility to be good stewards of our resources.
Responsible logging practices need to be instituted and enforced to protect
the future of these trees– the tonewoods– we hold dear.
Many guitar manufactures operate legally, and support efforts
intended to safeguard the future of tonewoods. Show your support to those
who do. One way is to look for the Forrest Stewardship Council (FSC).
Next up;
Alder, rosewood, and spruce…
https://us.fsc.org