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The Canadian Cedar (Thuja plicata), also known as Western Red Cedar, is a majestic tree that grows in three distinct regions: the state of Washington (USA), British Columbia (Canada), and some areas of Alaska (USA). This is the same species with different characteristics. The most prized variety for guitar building, especially acoustic guitars, comes from the Canadian region.
Cedar is primarily marketed for shingles and beams, with only a small proportion of the wood, less than 5%, reserved for musical instruments. This scarcity of cedar designated for lutherie is what makes it such a valuable and sought-after material, with each piece being exclusive.
How Canadian Cedar soundboards are obtained
Obtaining cedar soundboards involves a complex process that considers various factors to ensure sustainable practices and the appropriate aesthetic and tonal qualities for guitar construction.
Currently, cedars are harvested for different uses. The longer trees are used for beams and boards, while the smaller ones are used for shingles and also for soundboards. While the first group goes through a more or less standard production chain, the second is processed using a method known as "hewing."
Hewing as a method to obtain blocks
Cedars used for shingles and soundboards are processed in a unique and distinctive way. Hewing is the method used to obtain blocks from the tree, allowing the wood pieces to repel water by splitting along the fibers of the blocks. This system also enhances the rigidity of the soundboards, as many of the microfibers that grow perpendicular along the trunk are not cut, preserving much of the wood’s acoustic properties.
Wild Cedar vs. Fresh Cedar
There are also notable differences between wild cedar and fresh cedar. Both represent the past and the present, not only due to their characteristics but also because of their respective processes. Wild cedar is a relic of the past, known for its highly prized color and qualities. It is called "wild" because it comes from trees that have fallen or died naturally in the forest, some of which are in very hard-to-reach places. Due to current scarcity and new environmental regulations, it is no longer possible to find wild cedar, which has been replaced by fresh cedar.
Maderas Barber: a leading supplier of Canadian Cedar
Maderas Barber is a leading supplier of the best exotic woods in the world, including Canadian cedar. Over three decades ago, we sold a selection of wild Canadian cedar to some of our oldest clients, and part of that selection recently returned to our warehouse and was put up for sale again.
The soundboards have been individually measured and analyzed using TPC-1 software. Among the noteworthy values, the pieces exhibit an average sustain that is 45% higher than that of recently cut cedar.
This batch of aged cedar has been dried completely naturally for decades, a patient process that has enhanced its tonal properties, bringing it to optimal maturity.
Discover how these pieces sound in our MB Sound catalog and learn about the acoustic qualities that make them the exclusive wood you seek for your next guitar.
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