A Note on Materials:

Our Soul guitars uniquely embody the fusion of innovation and tradition in guitar making.

Our choice of materials and components underscores our commitment to sustainable, responsible practices. We source our wood from truly sustainable forestry. This does not always mean it comes from regional sources, but rather from responsible timber management. The FSC’s principles set the highest standards in this regard, and we have been sourcing all our wood according to this standard since 2020.

Acoustically and visually, we have plenty of ideas and creative freedom to craft a unique and wonderful companion for you, despite the limited selection of materials.

We deliberately do not exclude tropical wood, because by adhering to the principles mentioned above even in those regions, we support healthy forest management in the countries of origin that takes social and ecological considerations into account. Of course, the transportation distance involved in sourcing these woods is long. That’s why domestic wood remains our first choice when it’s acoustically suitable and can be sourced sustainably.

We are happy to substitute tropical wood as follows:

Necks made of cedro or mahogany with European cherry, maple, or alder

Tops made of Canadian cedar with European spruce

Bottoms and sides made of rosewood or mahogany with apple, service tree, plum, oak, or walnut

If we have specific requirements for the tonewood, it can also be ziricote, catalox, or pao ferro from sustainable sources. Here’s the interesting part: at soul-guitars, we prefer sustainable, locally sourced woods, but we don’t always know where our instruments end up. Therefore, we can’t always say whether locally sourced wood is the ideal choice for you.

However, we don’t want to hide the fact that we still have a stock of older tonewoods in our inventory that do not come from certified sources and should therefore be viewed with caution. These include, for example, Königsholz, Cocobolo, and Bubinga. We will, of course, continue to use this existing stock, but—naturally—we will no longer purchase new products (without proof of sustainability). It’s a minor drawback, but for us, it’s the only option to give these woods a long musical life and put them to good use. We registered our entire existing stock of woods with the Bamberg Environmental Agency in 2013 and thus have proof that the materials come from our own existing stock.

Our conclusion:

Every Soul-guitar is not only a small work of art but also a product of ecologically responsible craftsmanship, making it the ideal choice for musicians who prioritize both quality and environmental responsibility.