Does Yamaha own a forest?

[Pbassred]

A guy in a music shop told me the Yamaha has no problem with wood supply for its overlays( configured maple etc) because it owns its own forest. I've googled and I can't find anything.

[jollygiantchris]

That sounds like it would be prohibitively expensive.

[ehque]

Originally Posted by jollygiantchris

That sounds like it would be prohibitively expensive.

Not much more than buying all the wood, i'd imagine. And they would be protected price-wise.

[kherber]

Originally Posted by ehque

Not much more than buying all the wood, i'd imagine. And they would be protected price-wise.

And keep in mind, they use wood for lots more than guitar tops. They manufacture pianos, drums, acoustic guitars, violins, cellos, clarinets, recorders, and more. And what wood they don't need, they can sell on the market.

Doc

[Phalex]

If they do indeed own a forest, can they see it for the trees?

[SteveC]

It would not surprise me at all. They are a huge company.

[kherber]

Originally Posted by Phalex

If they do indeed own a forest, can they see it for the trees?

String trees?

Doc

[crikker]

Wouldn't it be as easy as buying 80-160 acres of woodland (or whatever number they'd need)? It's sold all the time around here and major companies own lots of it. Cut part for use, replant that, cut the next section, etc. With proper management they'd keep themselves in wood for some time. If nothing, sell off the land after use.

[MoD_Scotty]

If a tree fell in Yamaha's forest, and no one was around, what note would it sound?

[crikker]

Whatever one it is, it'd be a flat. Thank you. I'll be in town all week. Try the roast beef and don't forget to tip the waitress.

[jollygiantchris]

You would have to maintain the forest with sustainable growth (or not but it is your forest), monitor it to make sure no one is illegally logging it (which happens ALL the time), and fires can happen. You also need a lot of land to tree farm for it to be cost effective because you can only take a certain amount of trees per acre per year if you are doing it sustainably so you're yield is not particularly high.

Yamaha needs a LOT of wood therefore they would need a rather huge forest I mean hell they might have a forest but I rather doubt it.

[Phil Smith]

I think they put all that wood in my bass cuz it's pretty heavy.

[Passinwind]

Originally Posted by jollygiantchris

Yamaha needs a LOT of wood therefore they would need a rather huge forest I mean hell they might have a forest but I rather doubt it.

It took less than ten seconds to Google this: http://www.yamaha-motor.co.jp/global...indonesia.html

The search string I used was "Yamaha forest land". It doesn't appear that Yamaha owns this particular tract, but I'd put money on them owning some other ones. Years ago I had a friend who made piano keys and Fender guitar and bass neck blanks for Pratt-Read. They definitely had their own forest land in northern VT, and probably elsewhere.

[Pbassred]

It took less than ten seconds to Google this: http://www.yamaha-motor.co.jp/global...indonesia.html

but your 10 seconds proved nothing. When I googled I found many entries about Yamaha's consevationalist activities. However neither of us found anything about OWNING a forest.

Hence the question

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Originally Posted by MoD_Scotty

If a tree fell in Yamaha's forest, and no one was around, what note would it sound?

F# I believe

[Phalex]

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

F# I believe

I disagree. Definitely Gb.

[Passinwind]

Originally Posted by Pbassred

but your 10 seconds proved nothing. When I googled I found many entries about Yamaha's consevationalist activities. However neither of us found anything about OWNING a forest.

Hence the question

You could've saved me my ten seconds by mentioning that you already knew about Yamaha Forest.

Why don't you just ask Yamaha? I'll also ping my friend at Martin and see what he knows.