When it comes to choosing a guitar pickup, being green is a big part of it. If you’re not looking to go green, then chances are you’ll have more options, but still, going green is the new eco-fashion, and there are greener guitars.  Here, we’ll talk about how you can choose one that fits your green needs.

Why does it Matter?

Wood is the common material used for guitars, which is understandable, but here’s the thing, the problem with it, is that there are too many trees being used in terms of species, and this is something that tends to be a bit scary.  

There are over 200 different tree species used to make instruments you hear. Ebony, rosewood, and mahogany are often growers that are solitary, which means they’re hidden away amongst the species at hand. For those loggers to get to the trees, a ton of woodland needs to be cleared out, which means a lot of trees are being lost.

There is also the belief that the timber that’s old and grows for longer has much better tone and depth.  But, that’s actually not the case. It can sometimes help, but that’s something that many people use as a reason to get a very expensive, often environmentally-detrimental guitar.

Lots of times, people want exotic varieties. that’s because they tend to be prettier and they sound great.  If you don’t have a pretty guitar, even one that sounds amazing will deter buyers if it looks bad.

The problem is, the desire for eco-friendly materials is a little bit harder to find, but the thing is it’s possible to choose eco-friendly guitars, and here, we’re going to touch on ho you can.

Flax Fibers and Bio-resin

Flex is the seed that’s in cereal, and it’s a tall grass with strong fibers that occur naturally.  They can be harvested in up to 100 days, and grow in the soil of all kinds, especially poor soil. It can be used for different purposes, and it’s one of the best to grow. Flax fibers for guitar strings actually matter a lot, since you’re using something that’s much more sustainable than some of the other types of materials.

Then, there is the bio-resin that’s used.  You want one with petroleum-based carbon, and Ekoa is one of the best since it does have 50% bio-feedstocks, upcycled for the purpose of industry.  It is made of renewable materials that don’t need a spray-on finish for it, and they’re perfect for multiple generations. It is a great choice when looking for those eco-friendly alternatives.

Sustainable Wood?

Sustainable wood is actually possible, and it’s the idea of preserving, replacing and using the resource when it’s used.  it’s important to look at sustainability since there are many instruments that need reliable tonewoods. You want to choose a wood that is replanting the trees when they’re done, protecting the damage that can incur from this, and ensure that there are options for years to come.

Anyways to Identify this?

Yes, you should look for the Forest Stewardship Council’s official logo and the certification for it. That means they are performing forestry that’s sustainable.  You should also look for the Programme for the Endorsement of Forestry Certif logo that allows you to find sustainable wood that will be used to make guitars.

Gibson, Yamaha, Taylor, and others do produce these FSC-sustainable wood, and Seagull along with Bedell are using more reclaimed sustainable woods, and there are typically sourced tonewoods being used as well.

Alternative for Ebony

If you really want an ebony guitar, I do suggest going for an alternative. Why? Well, ebony guitars are actually rare, and black ebony is on the endangered list.  But, the decade-old stockpiles of figured ebony are a good choice. Figured ebony is essentially wood that’s ebony but it’s got “defects” in it that led to an aesthetic appeal.  it’s a wonderful look, and you can use this as a dark contrast against other tonewoods good for the body.

Choosing Alternative Tonewoods

When it comes to choosing Guitar Amps, alternative tonewood is the way to go.  You can use plywood that’s thin, with thinner veneer, and you can choose some without anything that is too damaging to the environment.  However, if you’re going to be playing for sound, some alternative tonewoods just sound bad, so it might be best to choose mahogany, rosewood, spruce, and even maple, and you can find ones that are unique, but are also good for the environment.

With football fields of trees being cleared as you read this, finding eco-friendly guitars is important for everyone. If you want this planet to be around for long, then check for alternative tonewoods for your guitar.