The New York Times ran an article yesterday about guitar makers C.F. Martin, Taylor, Fender and Gibson joining forces with environmental activist group Greenpeace in an effort to save tree species vital to their trade.

One wood the article focuses on is Sitka Spruce from Alaska which Greenpeace says could become as rare as Brazilian Rosewood in only six years if current harvesting practices continue. What I found interesting is that the bulk of Sitka Spruce being cut in Alaska is not used for the construction of instruments. This old growth wood is being sent to Japan as framing material for homes. C.F. Martin estimated that a total of three million acoustic and electric guitars are sold in the US each year, but that accounts for less than 20% of the Sitka Spruce that’s cut each year in Alaska.

Martin just last month hosted the C. F. Martin Inaugural Wood Summit ‘07 where wood suppliers from around the world spoke concerning the historical and future availability of their particular species, as well as issues surrounding it’s availability.

What the instrument manufacturers are seeking is not a complete ban on logging, but rather some sort of solution that relies on better forest management. The word that comes to mind is conservation. Let’s hope they are able to make a difference in the larger marketplace and create a situation where our children will be able to buy instruments made from the great woods we love at something less than the cost of a pre-war Martin!

Bob Taylor, the man behind the immensely popular Taylor Guitars, is the subject of a new documentary-style DVD distributed by Mel Bay Publications.

It’s part of their new Instrumental Innovators series, which profiles instrument makers who have had a major impact on the industry. Dave Smith, Stuart Spector and Paul Reed Smith are also included in the series to date.

The Bob Taylor DVD features a lengthy interview with Taylor, and a factory tour with his commentary, along with an overview of the history of Taylor Guitars. He also discusses his newest venture, R. Taylor Guitars, a separate company that builds handmade, luthier-quality guitars in limited production.

Bob Taylor, Instrumental Innovator should be available wherever Mel Bay products are sold, or directly from their web site.