For many years, there have been attempts by different guitar makers to build guitars made of thermowood. However, usually only thermally treated guitar covers were installed. Within the framework of a research project, Reinhardt GmbH has now succeeded in developing a scientifically supervised process which makes it possible to build a complete guitar from thermo-optimized wood. The proceedings will be presented at the Musikmesse Frankfurt.
In September 2016, the Washington Convention Conference took place in Johannesburg, South Africa. There, a large number of timber had been placed under the comprehensive protection of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Therefore, trade with these woods has become more difficult. This regulation has been in place since the 2nd of January 2017. For instrument builders and traders, the end of the year 2016 was therefore marked by the search for a suitable strategy to the implementation of this regulation.
Thermowood is our answer to CITES
In order to find a better, more environmental-friendly solution, Reinhardt GmbH has been co-operating with the University of Sustainable Development in Eberswalde (Germany) for several years on a research project on the thermal optimization of native claywood.
The aim of this research project, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs, was to develop a process that allows domestic wood to be optimized by using a special thermoenergetic treatment in such a way that it can be used for guitar construction and that it corresponds to the wood used up until now.
At the Musikmesse Frankfurt, Reinhardt GmbH, together with the head of this research project, Prof. Dr. Alexander Pfriem from Eberswalde University, will present the newly developed procedures as well as the first prototypes (acoustic and classical guitar).
The thermal treatment of wood is not a new process in guitar construction. However, we are taking a new path with our scientifically supported, tried and tested process. Our process has two objectives: first, the optimization of the sound properties of the wood used, and second, the elimination of tropical wood.
For this reason, we only use indigenous woods. The sound effect of our thermo-wood guitars is more than compatible compared to the guitars made of tropical wood.
Further information and details about this new procedure will be presented at the Frankfurt Musikmesse. Therefore we invite you on
Wednesday, 05th of April 2017 at 09.30am
to an official press conference
at our booth E92 in hall 8.
Prof. Dr. Alexander Pfriem from the University of Sustainable Development Eberswalde will present the research project and explain the details of the procedure. Afterwards we will answer your questions. You can also admire and play the first prototypes.
