ALTERNATIVE MATERIALS

ALTERNATIVE MATERIALS

TIM TEELDirector of Instrument Design

C.F. MARTIN & CO.

TIM TEELDirector of Instrument Design

C.F. MARTIN & CO.

Personal Background

• Interested in guitars at very young age

• Joined Martin Guitar in 1986

• Started in R&D group in 1997

• Worked on projects from X-series to Authentic Series

Martin Guitar History• Late 1960’s switch from Brazilian

to East Indian Rosewood

• Developed 3-piece back

• Used many domestic woods i.e. walnut, ash, maple, cherry, oak, red birch

• 1990’s developed smartwood guitars (FSC)

• 1998 launched X-series

High-pressure Laminate

Natural Alternatives

• Acceptable tonal properties

• Different tonal voices

• Combinations and bracing important

• Usually lower cost compared to synthetic materials

Medullary RaysCambium Quartersawn

Flatsawn Heart Cracks

Synthetic Materials

• Tonally very different than natural materials

• Different bracing needed

• Usually more durable

• Can be more expensive

• Not always better for environment

Bracing- (Non-traditional)

Market

• Acceptance

• Education

• Perception

• Price

• Timing

Conclusion

• Continual evolving mix of alternative materials are needed

• Education to end consumer is a must

• Managing natural resources is critical

• Developing great tonal synthetic materials will be a bonus