Sink Or Swim?
Guitarist|June 2019

Scott Sasser, head of Martin’s Custom Shop, explains why sinker mahogany is taking its place alongside some of the world’s premium tonewoods

David Mead
Sink Or Swim?

When the brace of sinker mahogany powered triple-0s arrived in the Guitarist offices, we were struck by the additional pep in the step that this rare and slightly unusual bodywood delivered. Living up to Martin’s promise of a huge voice and enhanced responsiveness, it’s difficult to believe that – for much of its life – this timber has been submerged in the alien environment of a middle American river. From a 300-year leftover from the logging industry, how do we connect the dots that lead us to the point where this timber would even be considered for musical instruments?

“Our relationship with sinker began several years ago,” director of Martin’s Custom Shop, Scott Sasser, begins. “In [various] countries around the world, material reclamation has become part of local economies and our vendor presented us with an opportunity – some unique mahogany that had been reclaimed, having been under water in Belize for generations and generations. When we began investigating this material, we learned a little bit about the time of its harvest and about its relative age, and the sinker presented itself to us as being among the oldest materials that we would have the opportunity to work with.

“When these trees were first harvested, they were anywhere in the neighbourhood of 150 to 300 years old, then introduced int the rivers and floated down towards the port where they would be further processe and shipped all around the world. Some of the logs that were heaviest and more dense would have been on the bottom of this floating mass and they would just get pushed further and further towards the riverbed until a number would just get stuck in the mud. They would be stuck in this cold, dark river environment and not see the light of day for another 300 years. So we’re talking material that would have been cut during the early colonial expansion times.”

Esta historia es de la edición June 2019 de Guitarist.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición June 2019 de Guitarist.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE GUITARISTVer todo
QUICK CHANGE
Guitarist

QUICK CHANGE

As Gibson finally adds some Quick Connect pickups to its Pickup Shop line-up, Dave Burrluck revisits this simple no-solder method to mod your Modern guitar

time-read
6 minutos  |
November 2024
Return Of The Rack
Guitarist

Return Of The Rack

A revered rackmount digital delay makes a welcome comeback in pedal form.

time-read
4 minutos  |
November 2024
Pure Filth
Guitarist

Pure Filth

This all-analogue preamp pedal based on Blues Saraceno's amp is a flexible powerhouse with a variety of roles.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 2024
Reptile Royalty
Guitarist

Reptile Royalty

From Queen to King - there's another Electro-Harmonix royal vying for the crown of octave distortion

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 2024
Tradition Revisited
Guitarist

Tradition Revisited

Line 6 refreshes its Helix-based modelling amp range by doubling the number of available amp voicings - and more

time-read
4 minutos  |
November 2024
Ramble On
Guitarist

Ramble On

Furch's travel guitar folds down so you can transport it in its own custom backpack and, the company claims, it returns to pitch when you reassemble it. Innovation or gimmick?

time-read
5 minutos  |
November 2024
Redrawing The 'Bird
Guitarist

Redrawing The 'Bird

A fascinating reimagining of one of Gibson's more out-there designs, the Gravitas sticks with vintage vibe and mojo. Oh, and that sound...

time-read
4 minutos  |
November 2024
1965 Fender Jazz Bass
Guitarist

1965 Fender Jazz Bass

\"They made them later on, but it's not something I've ever seen this early.

time-read
3 minutos  |
November 2024
Boss Cube Street II
Guitarist

Boss Cube Street II

Regular readers will know that the last time I took the Boss Cube Street II out, I was in rehearsal for a debut gig in London.

time-read
4 minutos  |
November 2024
STILL CRAZY
Guitarist

STILL CRAZY

One of the most creative yet reliably great-sounding effects makers out there, Crazy Tube Circuits grew out of a fetish for old valve amps. We meet founder Christos Ntaifotis to find out more

time-read
8 minutos  |
November 2024