Philosophy of Wood

So, about these instruments. And wood. Distinguished by innovative style and technology, each one of our instruments is still built upon solid tradition, refined and updated to reflect our many years of collective experience. And while this can be said of many fine makers, one very distinct difference, folded into every Troublesome Creek instrument, is our proud use of regionally-sourced materials.

Our research into the many applications of Appalachian tonewoods in the industry is helping to write a new chapter in the story of American guitar.

Not only does each alternative tonewood solution take us another small step back from tropical deforestation, but every time we buy from a local sawmill, it helps to bolster our mountain economy. And the results have been outstanding!

We build tonally brilliant, highly functional instruments from stunning, highly figured woods, such as Black Walnut, Black Cherry, and Maples of all sorts. We also utilize a variety of woods not normally seen, such as Osage Orange, Black Locust, White Oak, Sweet Gum, Butternut and one of our absolute favorites, Hackberry!  In place of Ebony or Rosewood for fingerboards and bridges, we sometimes opt for Persimmon, Osage Orange, or Black Walnut.  And we’ve just come into possession of some Applewood that has a  deep, gorgeous color! 

When we talk of spruce, for us, it is usually Adirondack, or Red Spruce, sourced here in the Appalachian chain. Other domestic spruces, such as Engelmann or Sitka, can be custom ordered as well. Additionally, we been blessed with a healthy stack of old-growth Redwood (from a farmhouse built 125 years ago) and also a good quantity of Norway Spruce harvested from storm-damaged trees originally planted by Henry Clay  in the early 1800s! Great, old tonewood!

As our explorations continue, there will certainly be more to come!