Guitars and Trees

I was reading through Taylor’s Wood and Steel newspaper and I came across an interesting bit of trivia: how many logs are used to build acoustic guitars?

Turns out a very small number.

An average spruce tree can provide between 2,500 to 5,000 guitar tops. Taylor, Martin and a few other guitar manufacturers, go through about 150 spruce logs a year. That accounts for 80 percent of the North American acoustic guitar industry.

A lone lumber sawmill in the Northwest will cut the same number of logs in one shift for furniture, cabinets, construction, etc.

In addition to about 150 spruce logs a year for the tops, add another 300 or so logs for sides and backs.

In terms of volume, Taylor made 62,000 guitars last year.