A world of difference

Most of us understand by now that we should be doing our bit for the planet. We don’t have to be told that buying environmentally-friendly products can help mitigate our carbon footprint – and we know that reducing our level of personal waste is also paramount. A guitar, of course, is not something we need to purchase every week, like our groceries. What’s more, a guitar you buy from Spain today will be around for decades to come, unlike many mass-produced products made in Asia (and other parts of the world).

Out of the woods

Your guitar from Spain, of course, started life in a forest, the soundboard from spruce or cedar woodland, very possibly. Thankfully, these tonewoods are largely sustainable, but there is also legislation in place (Alhambra explain the stringent processes they follow here) to ensure that trees are replanted and that eco-systems, wildlife and forestry are protected: the bottom line is to preserve this natural resource for future generations to come.

Wood that is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, for example (international NGO founded in 1993) attests to a commitment to global standards for the sustainable management of forests. All of the leading Spanish guitar manufacturers obtain their woods from suppliers that boast this accreditation.

More than a veneer of respectability

Nevertheless, over the last few years, guitar manufacturers in Spain have spent a lot of time (and capital) investigating and developing models with ever stricter environmental credentials. Many of them feature an open-pore or matte finish, which results in a lighter guitar with greater resonance and enhanced playability. And unlike most eco-friendly products, you don’t have to make the stark choice between what’s sustainable for the planet and what’s sustainable for your wallet: the cost of using less varnish also reduces the overall manufacturing cost, which is reflected in the price. Makes sense really.

It’s a steal

At Alhambra Guitars, their series of open-pore models includes the Laqant College 2, Z-Nature Classical Guitar (pictured above), Z-Nature CW EZ (electro classical guitar), Z-Nature CT EZ (electro classical guitar with thin body). The Laqant College 2, with a solid spruce top and Spanish heel is a superb choice of first instrument at a very affordable price. The Z-Nature Classical Guitar is another entry-level instrument with a solid wood soundboard, this time in cedar, excellent sound output and great projection. The Z-Nature CW EZ and Z-Nature CT EZ are the cutaway versions of this family, making them very affordable electro-classical instruments.

Nature Camps

The line of more sustainable instruments at Camps Guitars includes the SN1 Electro Classical Guitar and Son-Satin Classical Guitar for beginners, with gorgeous matte finish that showcase the natural tones of the wood in exquisite detail. Both come with a solid cedar or spruce top that produce a warm, but powerful sound. Likewise, they both have the fantastic quality-price ratio Camps are famed for. You don’t need to be a tree hugger for one of these to make a savvy choice of instrument.

What’s in a name?

Other instruments in the Camps catalogue of ‘green’ guitars include the electro-acoustic models, Camps NAC1 ECO (with narrow body) and Camps CUT ECO Electro Classical Guitar (both under 500,00€). The ergonomic design of these beautifully designed instruments with matte finish offers maximum comfort and playability, as well as a balanced sound and weighty volume.

Welcome matte

Made with 50% less varnish than its glossy sibling, the Camps SP6 Nature is also slightly cheaper than the Camps SP6 Classical Guitar. Faithful to the style of the traditional Spanish classical guitar in every other way, this sublime instrument produces a quintessentially classic, powerful and warm sound and has a soft and natural satin finish that enhances its response.

Sustain and sustainability

The luthiers at Prudencio Saez are faithful believers in the same traditional methods of guitar construction that they first started using 60 years ago – and they are still making a fine job of it. One concession to the modern world they have made, however, is to expand their catalogue in response to contemporary demands, including that for more sustainable instruments. Within this family, the Prudencio Saez 2-S is a beginner model with solid soundboard, matte finish, rich sound and plenty of volume.

Not to be upstaged or overshadowed

For performing musicians, Prudencio Saez offer two eco-friendly professional models: Prudencio Saez Stage Electro Classical Guitar and Prudencio Saez Shadow Electro Classical Guitar, both with matte, open-pore finish and superb resonance. With a sound port instead of a sound hole, the Prudencio Saez Stage and Prudencio Saez Shadow wink to the future in state-of-the-art looks as well as green credentials.

Family tree

As you can see, shopping for a greener guitar doesn’t have to be a long or difficult operation. And if you opt for a quality instrument made in Spain, most of the work has already been done for you. All you have to do is to care for your instrument, which will significantly increase its longevity. Because the most sustainable product is one that doesn’t need replacing. Just handing down to the next generation of music lovers.