Category Archives: Tonewood

In the review of my experiences and thoughts on the inaugural Deloraine Stringfest I said the major element missing were the proud, passionate and profitable tree-growing farmers – the first link in the chain from tree to instrument, farmer to artist. I was the only one exhibiting at Stringfest representing existing and future growers of blackwood and other special timbers.

From a business/market process point of view the Stringfest exhibitors (luthiers and tonewood merchants) were all pushing in the one direction. The luthiers were promoting and selling their instruments to players and performers, while tonewood merchants were promoting and selling their timbers to the luthiers – links in a chain. But there was little action in the opposite direction.

Why do we need action in the opposite direction? What action?

Markets work by an interplay/tension between supply and demand. The push and pull of the marketplace. If we are to encourage farmers to grow our special timbers for us then we need to provide as much incentive and information as possible. Trees are a challenging investment at the best of times so Stringfest provides an ideal forum for providing market, price and demand information in BOTH directions back to the farmer/tree grower all the way to the consumer/artist. All that passion, dedication and commitment can help drive some significant market activity.

At Stringfest the tonewood merchants should be looking to both sell their tonewood timbers to luthiers AND buy suitable trees/logs from farmers, and establish long-term relationships with tree-growing farmers. It would have been great to see some “LOGS WANTED” signs showing at Stringfest. Even some information telling people about what goes to making a good tonewood log, species, sizes, indicative prices, etc. The average farmer has absolutely no idea about the tonewood market. This needs to change and change quickly, so the more information the better.

Similarly Stringfest provides an ideal opportunity for luthiers to talk to tonewood merchants about their wood requirements and indicative prices. I saw plenty of this happening at the weekend, hopefully with some positive outcomes.

At Stringfest I spoke to a number of people who had trees they were interested in selling and I pointed them towards the tonewood merchants. I heard of a number of follow-ups being arranged which was great. At the moment the Blackwood Growers Coop remains more a dream than a reality. As the Coop develops then building relationships and markets with sawmillers and tonewood merchants will be an important goal. Hopefully in the future I will have “LOGS FOR SALE” as part of my Stringfest display.

Stringfest was not really marketed at the farming community but the farming community needs to be brought into the audience in future.

The question of the future supply of our special timbers was definitely the “elephant in the room” at Stringfest, especially given the extraordinary political events on the Friday. Stringfest provides a brilliant focus and opportunity to help resolve that question and remove the elephant once and for all. I’m already thinking about next years festival.

Cheers!

What a hoot!

I had a fantastic time as an exhibitor at the inaugural Deloraine Stingfest.

It was fantastic meeting so many people in the industry as tonewood merchants, luthiers, and artists. It was also fantastic meeting and talking to so many of the public who came along. I had many great conversations with people.

I met many farmers and landowners who expressed interest in becoming commercial blackwood growers. I will be contacting the most enthusiastic to arrange a visit, and hope to get phone calls or emails from many others.

I want to thank and congratulate the organisers and people who volunteered their time and talents to make Stringfest happen. And to the people of Deloraine who helped make the event such a success.

As an exhibitor I didn’t get to see much of the festival myself. But I saw 5.5 hours of absolutely brilliant performances on Saturday night. It was a long day but well worth it.

Stringfest definitely has the potential to become a major Tasmanian cultural and community event. It features so many aspects that attract and interest a wide audience. And there is no doubt about the quality, the passion and commitment.

From my point of view one major aspect missing (under-represented??) was the proud, passionate tree-growing farmers. I was there promoting that dream, that opportunity, but if Stringfest is to have a sustainable future then all the links in the chain from tree to instrument, from farmer to artist must be represented and promoted. This is especially true within the current political madness and conflict with the public native forest resource.

I spoke to a few people about the idea of having a mini-Stringfest stall at Agfest to help promote and build interest and relationships with the farming community; to help create that first link in the Stringfest chain. Some of us are discussing this idea to make it happen in 2015. Anyone interested?

Create the full chain from farm to stage and Stringfest could easily become a unique major international event.

Thanks to Kevin for buying the two display blackwood trees that I brought up from Hobart and didn’t want to bring back home. I hope they have found a good home.

Cheers!