2020
AL#141 p.38
Gerry Chicalo
▪ All the guitar soundboards ever made don’t add up to a toothpick in the vast lumberyard of the timber industry. A stray cedar log that washes onto a beach in British Columbia can be lutherie gold, and harvesting it can be a lot of nice fragrant outdoor fun.
2020
AL#139 p.70
Tom Thiel
▪ They say to cut lutherie trees when the sap it down. But what does that really mean? Also, that old story about cutting the trees during the right phase of the moon might be more than a story.
2019
AL#138 p.6
Michael Bashkin
▪ Michael Bashkin’s lutherie cred is unimpeachable, and it turns out that he previously had a career in forestry, with years of experience in many places from the tropics, to the temperate zone, to the arctic. So he knows a lot about trees and about wood. How should we feel about using the earth’s dwindling supplies of fine traditional woods to make our wonderful, precious guitars? And will our clients give us less of their wonderful, precious dollars if we don’t? Let’s ask Michael. This fascinating article is based on his 2017 GAL Convention lecture.
2017
AL#132 p.68
Brent Cole
▪ Is Alaska yellow cedar more available than it used to be?
2018
AL#133 p.6
Federico Sheppard
▪ There are luthiers way up in the tributaries of the Amazon River. They have wood galore, and they are teaching large numbers of local kids to make their own instruments. But they are short on good sharp tools and modern information. Our intrepid adventurer Federico Sheppard sets out to address that lack by bring in donated tools and holding master classes. He was multi-tasking; on the same trip he researched and commemorated the 1931 visit of Agustin Barrios to the remarkable Teatro Amazonas, which you might recognize from the Werner Herzog movie Fitzcaraldo. And he got in some fishing.
2017
AL#131 p.69
Tom Thiel
▪ Why does my dimensioned neck stock keep twisting?
2007
AL#92 p.70 read this article
Chris Dungey
▪ Oregon violin maker Gardener was an influential luthier who lived a very long life. He is famous for mentoring younger luthiers in the skills of selecting and cutting trees (see “Logging Luthiers,” BRB2 p.446 AL#24 p.13). It always hurts when another member of the tribe passes on.
2008
AL#93 p.38 read this article
Greg Hanson Andrea Florinett
▪ Author Hanson spent two weeks in Switzerland harvesting and processing lumber and tonewood with the Florinett family, who supply the guitar business with 7000 quality spruce tops each year. Florinett is a certified forester who is as concerned with the healthy harvesting of tree stands as with making the most and best use of the wood. The morality of business is also his concern if he is to help his village, his country, as well as the future of his family business. This is a compelling look at an end of the lutherie business that few of us even think about. With 15 photos and a sketch of Picea abies subspecies.
2007
AL#92 p.54 read this article
Bruce Creps
▪ Creps’ business is dealing wood to luthiers. He gives advice on dealing with the mills that process your log, how to store and dry the planks, and (in AL #91) how to resaw it into useful instrument wood. Perhaps most interesting is the number of ills that can befall wood, both as a tree and while curing. Laying out boards for the prettiest sets and the greatest yield is also covered. With 18 photos and a drawing.
2007
AL#91 p.40 read this article
Bruce Creps
▪ Just about everything you’ll need to know about setting up a bandsaw for resawing and getting the most yield from your lumber. The emphasis is on the Hitachi CB75F resaw, but much of the info will translate to other bandsaws. Included is a good side bar on resharpening bandsaw blades. With 10 photos and 6 drawings.
This article has been nominated as one of the Guild’s best articles published before 2010.
2007
AL#90 p.54 read this article
Bruce Harvie
▪ Specialty woodcutters must be the hardest working people in lutherie, but they also seem to have the most fun. Not just a woodcutter, Harvie is also a treasure hunter supplying luthiers in the trade with wooden jewels. This story is great fun. With 16 photos.
2005
AL#81 p.40 BRB7 p.302 read this article
Ralph Charles
▪ Man! How come red spruce is so expensive? And how come we can’t find a red spruce top as pretty as a piece of Sitka? Friends, if you look at enough old guitars you’ll realize that Adirondack spruce tops were rarely tight-grained, perfectly straight, and perfectly quartered all at the same time. The big stands of Eastern spruce may have been harvested 60 years ago, but forester Charles is here to say that the trees never grew with luthiers in mind. Man has had a random hand in growing red spruces for generations, and so have beavers. Conditions in the woods can change rapidly. It’s wild out there! To amateur naturalists this is exciting stuff. With 5 photos and a chart.
2004
AL#78 p.46 BRB7 p.200
John Calkin Jeffrey Yong
▪ Yong hails from Malaysia, a country not often associated with fine lutherie. Nevertheless, he makes a lot of instruments that look very contemporary and tasty, and he has access to varieties of wood that would make many of us very envious. With 10 photos.
2004
AL#77 p.28 BRB7 p.160 read this article
Stephen Frith
▪ Frith travels to Austria to mill spruce with Tobias Braun, and suggests that other luthiers might like to treat themselves to such a holiday. See the world, spend time in the outdoors, and collect some European spruce at a remarkable price! With 9 photos of sawmill mayhem to whet your appetite.
2003
AL#74 p.61 BRB7 p.17 read this article
Alan Ollivant
▪ Quartersawing and drying six large maple rounds that are 45″ long and 3′ in diameter.
2002
AL#69 p.46
Ervin Somogyi
▪ The wry Somogyi presents some little-known information that may not improve your work but will nicely occupy your mind as you carve a neck for the 50th time, or whatever. The meaning of many words has drifted so far from the roots of those words that, in the strictest sense, we no longer know what we are talking about, even though we continue to communicate very nicely. Mostly. A fun piece.
2000
AL#62 p.64 BRB6 p.11
Dave Maize
▪ Building demolition, street trees, blowdowns, flooding, and naturally killed trees as sources for recycled/reclaimed woods.
1998
AL#56 p.16 BRB5 p.256
Cyndy Burton Linda Manzer
▪ Through her artistic merit, dogged determination, and sheer grit, Manzer has risen to the top ranks of her profession. This interview covers her background and training, work ethic, favorite woods, and other lutherie intimacies. With 10 photos.
This article has been nominated as one of the Guild’s best articles published before 2010.
1998
AL#55 p.63 BRB5 p.477
Nicholas Von Robison
▪ The reviewer finds this collection of magazine articles will furnish new information to woodworkers of all experience levels. It should also encourage many to harvest their own wood supply and show them how to make it into a material worthy of their best work.
1997
AL#51 p.24 BRB5 p.84
Don Musser
▪ Musser offers a peek at varieties of top wood you may never have considered, and finds them promising. The varieties are white fir, sub-alpine fir, Colorado blue spruce, and one that may be a hybrid. Includes four photos of sectioned logs.
1997
AL#49 p.44 BRB5 p.30
Nicholas Von Robison
▪ Robison describes wood identification as an adventure. You’ll need some reference books and a microscope, and a computer wouldn’t hurt. Ever see an instrument trimmed in smokewood? How do you know, Sherlock? Without a little scientific trickery your guess could be wrong either way. Get with the program. With 6 photomicrographs of softwoods.
This article has been nominated as one of the Guild’s best articles published before 2010.
1997
LW p.2 read this article
Nicholas Von Robison
▪ Common tree names will usually get you by, but there’s nothing like knowing a few scientific names.
This article has been nominated as one of the Guild’s best articles published before 2010.
1997
LW p.5 read this article
Nicholas Von Robison
▪ Terminology of lumber biz.
This article has been nominated as one of the Guild’s best articles published before 2010.
1997
LW p.10 read this article
Nicholas Von Robison
▪ Range descriptions, scientific nomenclature, wood description, and uses in lutherie.
This article has been nominated as one of the Guild’s best articles published before 2010.
1997
LW p.23 read this article
Nicholas Von Robison
▪ Where to look for objective information about trees and wood.
This article has been nominated as one of the Guild’s best articles published before 2010.
1996
AL#47 p.20 BRB4 p.350
Carol Ventura
▪ When these Guatemalans decide to build an instrument they begin by hacking a tree out of the jungle. Read this and you may never bad-mouth your suppliers or instruction books again. With 32 step-by-step photos of the birth of a guitarria.
1995
AL#42 p.22 BRB4 p.184
Keith Hill
▪ A maker of classical guitars harvests some strange local trees to try out as instruments.
This article has been nominated as one of the Guild’s best articles published before 2010.
1994
AL#40 p.38 BRB4 p.114
Jonathon Peterson Jim Roden
▪ Roden is a dulcimer maker and a forester, so he understands that we need to preserve forests and we need to cut them, too. He freely addresses both sides of the coin.
1994
AL#39 p.46 BRB4 p.458
Nicholas Von Robison
▪ The reviewer finds the book to be accurate and that the authors and editor did their best to escape the dry, technical aspects of wood science.
1994
AL#39 p.51 BRB4 p.463
Marc Worsfold
▪ This book only concerns itself with wood varieties that grow large enough to harvest for lumber. In that light, the reviewer finds it to be an “excellent, well-researched book that gives a different view of New Zealand resources other than sheep.”
1994
AL#38 p.58
Larry Trumble
▪ Trumble forecasts the future for one of lutherie’s staple woods.
1994
AL#38 p.40 BRB4 p.44
Bart Potter
▪ Harvesting wood in Hawaii, conserving it for the future, and looking at koa’s working properties.
1993
AL#34 p.5
Nicholas Von Robison
▪ Any artifact containing wood from a CITES tree might be impounded at any international border. This list may help you if you travel or do import/export.
1993
AL#33 p.9 BRB3 p.275 read this article
Roberto Gomes
▪ Straight from the horse’s mouth—a Brazilian guitar maker talks about Brazilian tonewood. Ever wonder what a living rosewood tree looks like? Well, wonder no more. With 6 photos and a range map.
This article has been nominated as one of the Guild’s best articles published before 2010.
1993
AL#33 p.24 BRB3 p.288
Steve McMinn
▪ The head honcho of a new designer tonewood company describes his operation. With 4 photos.
1993
AL#33 p.26 BRB3 p.290
Jeffrey R. Elliott
▪ How does one hack a log that’s 11′ wide into 4000 guitar tops? Very carefully! With 9 photos detailing the decimation of Moby Spruce. By the way, this is a log that Steve McMinn rescued from the pulp mill.
This article has been nominated as one of the Guild’s best articles published before 2010.
1993
AL#33 p.40 BRB3 p.298 read this article
John Curtis
▪ Curtis is a wood dealer and a founder of WARP (Woodworkers Alliance for Rainforest Protection). Here he examines international law, species extinction, conservation, and local economies in the Third World. Oh yeah, and the American luthier’s place in this scheme.
This article has been nominated as one of the Guild’s best articles published before 2010.
1992
AL#31 p.18 BRB3 p.226 read this article
Ted Davis Bruce Harvie Steve McMinn Byron Will David Wilson
▪ As the large stands of old growth timber are harvested it is likely that quality tonewoods will come more and more from men who can take the time to harvest and pack out individual trees. Who are they, how do they work, and what’s their prognosis for the future? The discussion also introduces species that you probably never considered for top wood until now. With photos and range maps.
This article has been nominated as one of the Guild’s best articles published before 2010.
1992
AL#31 p.23 BRB3 p.231 read this article
Nicholas Von Robison
▪ Whadija call that tree? An introduction to Latin pronunciations.
1992
AL#31 p.27 BRB3 p.235 read this article
Nicholas Von Robison
▪ Those Latin tongue twisters actually mean something. Scholars actually find joy and amusement in many of the scientific names. You might, too.
1992
AL#29 p.58 BRB3 p.467 read this article
Nicholas Von Robison
▪ The reviewer decides this book isn’t perfect for the DIY wood analyzer, but it will do, especially since it’s the only game in town.
1992
AL#29 p.38 BRB3 p.174
Gayle Miller Ken Sribnick
▪ Visit a water-powered French sawmill that supplies tonewood to 350 luthiers. With 7 photos. Mentions George Miller.
1991
AL#26 p.5 BRB3 p.42
Todd Brotherton Myles Gilmer
▪ Gilmer buys wood from all over the globe and sells it to a number of special interests in the woodworking field. He’s been around, he’s concerned about the forests and ethical harvesting, and he’s articulate. Without the Gilmers of America there would be very few independent professional instrument makers.
This article has been nominated as one of the Guild’s best articles published before 2010.
1990
AL#24 p.60 BRB2 p.504
Nicholas Von Robison
▪
1990
AL#24 p.60 BRB2 p.504
Nicholas Von Robison
▪
1990
AL#24 p.60 BRB2 p.504
Nicholas Von Robison
▪
1990
AL#24 p.60 BRB2 p.504
Nicholas Von Robison
▪
1990
AL#24 p.60 BRB2 p.504
Nicholas Von Robison
▪
1990
AL#24 p.60 BRB2 p.504
Nicholas Von Robison
▪
1990
AL#24 p.60 BRB2 p.504
Nicholas Von Robison
▪
1990
AL#24 p.60 BRB2 p.504
Nicholas Von Robison
▪
1990
AL#24 p.60 BRB2 p.504
Nicholas Von Robison
▪
1990
AL#24 p.60 BRB2 p.504
Nicholas Von Robison
▪
1990
AL#24 p.60 BRB2 p.504
Nicholas Von Robison
▪
1990
AL#24 p.13 BRB2 p.446
Steve Banchero Janet Toon
▪ A collection of violin and cello makers harvests spruce in the national forest.
1990
AL#21 p.56
Nicholas Von Robison
▪ Robison is concerned about the plight of the world’s tropical forests, but pleads that a boycott of rain forest wood will backfire on the would-be conservationists.
1989
AL#19 p.46 BRB2 p.302
Todd Taggart
▪ Taggart’s prognosis for the future of traditional tonewoods is gloomy, but his experiences with controlled wood harvesting in South America shine a ray of hope on the situation. He also mentions solar box cookers, which can substitute for firewood in many third world countries where firewood is the chief use of timber. Taggart emphasizes conservation rather than alternative woods.
1989
AL#18 p.6 BRB2 p.210
Bruce Harvie Casey Wood
▪ This is a Q&A session from the S. Dakota convention. The answer folks not only harvest and sell a wide variety of “designer” tonewoods, they are well up on alternative woods for lutherie. Very informative, and fun.
This article has been nominated as one of the Guild’s best articles published before 2010.
1988
AL#16 p.33 read this article
Nicholas Von Robison Perry Thomas
▪ Only 6% of the rain forest harvest is exported, only 20% is used for timber, and 80% of the trees cut are burned. Pollution may ultimately represent as much of a threat as the chain saw. This article tries to get a handle on the situation.
1987
AL#11 p.22 BRB1 p.428 read this article
Gulab Gidwani
▪ A well-known importer and dealer of tonewoods relates some of the difficulties of doing business with third-world nations, such as getting a sawyer of railroad ties to cut fretboards.
1987
AL#10 p.53 BRB1 p.412 read this article
John Curtis
▪ A wood merchant relates the difficulties of getting lumber out of the jungle, and why the rain forest isn’t being replanted.
1987
AL#9 p.46 BRB1 p.338 read this article
John Jordan
▪ Jordan catalogs and describes nine rosewoods from Africa, and nine false rosewoods. Some max out too small for instruments but are of interest to wood collectors. Others should interest the open-minded luthier.
1986
AL#7 p.21 BRB1 p.248
Nicholas Von Robison Ed Arnold
▪ Robison interviews Arnold about harvesting wood in Mexico and dealing it in America.
1986
AL#7 p.45 read this article
Nicholas Von Robison
▪ Things look bleaker for the world’s forests.
1985
AL#4 p.31 BRB1 p.132 read this article
John Jordan
▪ Jordan describes 14 varieties of rosewood, and 14 varieties of false rosewood. Some max out as large shrubs, and only offer interest to wood collectors. Others are of high interest to luthiers, or should be.
This article has been nominated as one of the Guild’s best articles published before 2010.
1985
AL#2 p.45 BRB1 p.135 read this article
Don Musser
▪ Musser describes two Amazon woods with properties similar to Dalbergia nigra.
1985
AL#2 p.25 BRB1 p.74
William Cumpiano
▪ Cumpiano discusses wood color and figure on the cellular level.
1985
AL#2 p.41 BRB1 p.46 read this article
Ted Davis
▪ Davis tells of his long, difficult, and ultimately successful quest to obtain logs of red spruce (Picea rubens).
1985
AL#1 p.32 BRB1 p.14 read this article
William Cumpiano Bruce Hoadley
▪ In this interview with well-known author and wood expert Bruce Hoadley, Cumpiano seeks to clear up certain questions about Brazilian rosewood relating to identification and confusion with other Dalbergias and so-called rosewoods.
This article has been nominated as one of the Guild’s best articles published before 2010.
1984
DS#296 LW p.29 read this article
Gregory Jackson
▪ The lowdown on chemically bound water and free water in wood.
1984
GALQ Vol.12#1 p.10 LW p.31 read this article
Nicholas Von Robison Perry Thomas
▪ In 1984 we were already in trouble. What are the odds that things have gotten better?
1982
GALQ Vol.10#3 p.16 BRB2 p.158
Frederick C. Lyman Jr. Victor Gardener
▪ Gardener was an independent sort from Oregon who built closely in the style of the violins of the classic period in Italy. Mentions Hans Weishaar. With 2 photos.
1982
GALQ Vol.10#3 p.33 LW p.37 read this article
Jan Callister
▪ Another example of what a small specialty lumber company has to go through.
1982
GALQ Vol.10#1 p.18 LW p.34 read this article
Dennis Coon
▪ Tonewoods are required to be nearly perfect, but first perfect trees must be found, felled, and hauled.
1975
DS#19 LW p.5 read this article
H.E. Huttig
▪ Terminology of lumber biz.
This article has been nominated as one of the Guild’s best articles published before 2010.
1974
DS#2 LW p.16 read this article
David Sturgill
▪ Why certain varieties are most often chosen. Harvesting and processing info.