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.
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