In the fall of 2000, Island Mountain Arts presented a tone wood conference Trees That Play: Processing BC Wood from Trees to Soundboards.
Tone wood is used in the manufacture of musical instruments, and is at the very top of the value-added pyramid. The conference was organized to discuss issues and to present the results of recent research projects into the use of BC wood for tone wood production. IMA undertook this research and the conference as a result of its involvement with the music sector of the arts in BC, because of its role in community economic development and also because of its location in Wells, where nearby forests include high-altitude Englemann Spruce which has potential for tone wood production.
Tone wood is used in the manufacture of musical instruments, and is at the very top of the value-added pyramid. The conference was organized to discuss issues and to present the results of recent research projects into the use of BC wood for tone wood production. IMA undertook this research and the conference as a result of its involvement with the music sector of the arts in BC, because of its role in community economic development and also because of its location in Wells, where nearby forests include high-altitude Englemann Spruce which has potential for tone wood production.
Delegates came from across the province, and from as far away as California and Pennsylvania. Response to the conference was overwhelmingly positive.
Conference presentations included panel discussions around accessing wood in BC, how to market to various tone wood buyers, and current eco-certification issues. The results of tone wood research projects were conducted by the University College of the Cariboo and FORINTEK Canada Corporation were also preseted. The research looked at properties of tone wood, likely tone wood producing areas in BC, the present international tone wood market, market trends for the future, and a specific analysis of wood from the Wells area. The line-up of presenters at the conference included Martin Guitars, Fandrich Pianos, the Ministry of Forests, West Fraser Mills, SILVA Forest Foundation, and many others.
Conference organizers and researchers were challenged by the highly protective nature of the tone wood industry. Much of the information discussed at the conference is normally very closely guarded. The conference was intended to promote the tone wood industry in BC by sharing information that would allow existing businesses to be more successful and to give those interested in entering the field a realistic look at the difficulties involved. Although the retail price per board foot of quality tone wood can be a great many times that of products like dimensional lumber, a successful business has to have an extremely high level of knowledge and skill. At the conference, delegates were privileged to information and skills that they would have difficulty in accessing elsewhere.
In addition to valuable information and networking, delegates enjoyed a tone wood / musical instrument exhibit at the IMA gallery and a wonderful concert in nearby Barkerville historic town at St. Saviour’s Anglican Church. The relaxed atmosphere of the conference helped to promote discussion and interaction amongst the participants. Many went away with not only new contacts, but new friendships as well. Wells itself provided a unique setting that was very relevant to the conference. Like many communities in BC, Wells would benefit greatly by getting more from its local forest resource. Tone wood is just one part of the puzzle that could help stabilize communities and return prosperity to the province.
Anyone interested in accessing information or research from the conference can do so by downloading the following information:
Tone Wood Reports:
Tone Wood Research and Strategy by Roland Baumeister (pdf)
Qualities of Interior Spruce in the Wells Area by Les Jozsa (pdf)
Tone Wood Speaker’s Notes:
Needs of the Custom Instrument Builders by David Cureton (pdf)
Trees That Play by Al Hunter (pdf)
A Piano Designer’s Note Book by Delwin Fandrich (pdf)
Access to BC Wood: Prospects for the Value-Added Micro-Business by Garth Greskiw (pdf)
The BC Ministry of Forests: Structure, Operations and Tenures by Gerry Grant (pdf)
Smartwood Certified Guitars by Linda Davis-Wallen (pdf)
Eco-Certification and Tone Wood by Wendy Vasbinder and Rod Blake (pdf)
Tone Wood Research and Strategy by Roland Baumeister (pdf)
Qualities of Interior Spruce in the Wells Area by Les Jozsa (pdf)
Tone Wood Speaker’s Notes:
Needs of the Custom Instrument Builders by David Cureton (pdf)
Trees That Play by Al Hunter (pdf)
A Piano Designer’s Note Book by Delwin Fandrich (pdf)
Access to BC Wood: Prospects for the Value-Added Micro-Business by Garth Greskiw (pdf)
The BC Ministry of Forests: Structure, Operations and Tenures by Gerry Grant (pdf)
Smartwood Certified Guitars by Linda Davis-Wallen (pdf)
Eco-Certification and Tone Wood by Wendy Vasbinder and Rod Blake (pdf)