Abstract
The musical instrument manufacturing industry uses an unusual variety of special materials to create products with the particular qualities sought by performers and their audiences. Whether the instruments appear to be as simple as drums, or as obviously complex as an electronic organ, the materials specified for their manufacture are usually the result of years of research, testing and development. Often, highly-specific materials are critical for the quality performance and marketability of a particular instrument.
There are several facets to the problem of producing high-quality guitars, relatively complex instruments to manufacture and market within a range of tolerable costs: Obtaining special or exotic woods, plating metal components, painting and lacquering, and manufacturing a large range of string choices. All of these activities provide problems related to the environment, materials availability and selection, engineering and artistic design, and manufacturing that are in the domain of metallurgical and materials engineers.
To provide some depth to this paper, however, the writer focuses on creative efforts to assure the present and longer-term availability of special and exotic woods from environmentally-sensitive regions. In particular, reasons are out lined why special or exotic woods are critical materials for making guitars, and the functions of the successful SmartWoodCM program are outlined as important practical ways to help provide and maintain their supply.
