Musical Instruments and the environment...

Part of my philosophy is to build stringed instruments which have the minimum impact on the world around us. 

In years gone by, luthiers made instruments from the timbers they could get locally - for example, violin makers in Eighteenth Century London used sycamore, London plane and pearwood, in and amongst other timbers. Now much sort-after, these great instruments can be said to be 'truly English' - with zero carbon emissions as an added benefit.  Although demand at the moment is very much for 'exotic' timbers, such as Rosewood, my long term aim is to emulate the luthiers of years gone by, using locally grown timber.

As a family, we are acutely aware of green issues. As such, I believe it is vitally important to protect and preserve sensitive environments such as rainforests, and therefore do not use Brazilian Rosewood. i prefer to use local timbers, but occasionally use others from well-managed forests that FSC certified.