Date post: | 20-May-2015 |
Category: |
Education |
Upload: | tonalinnovationcenter |
View: | 383 times |
Download: | 2 times |
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