“The relationship between a musical instrument and its material is fundamental, shaping its sound, appearance, and feel,” according to a submission from the company to online publication design boom. “Rare woods, often prized for specific instruments, are finite resources requiring years of growth. By repurposing these materials, the company explores innovative ways to design electric guitars that uphold the highest quality standards.”
Wood in the protypes come from pianos and marimbas, an instrument similar to the xylophone. Using scientific analysis, Yamaha were able to confirm the guitar’s sound quality. “For example, the Marimba model guitar is crafted from rosewood previously used in marimba tone bars, while the Piano model incorporates spruce, beech, birch, and maple scrap wood originally intended for pianos,” the company said. “The Upcycling Guitar concept exemplifies the Japanese musical instrument manufacturer’s vision for the future of musical instruments.”