Sustainability

While Iulius Guitars maintains a small-scale production, I believe in the importance of responsible sourcing and environmental stewardship. I am dedicated to minimizing my ecological footprint by utilizing sustainable materials and adhering to the principles of a circular economy. This commitment is reflected in several key choices:
Wood Selection: I prioritize locally sourced tonewoods, such as spruce from the Jura mountains, and European species whenever possible. When using exotic woods, I ensure they are FSC-certified, guaranteeing their sustainable origin.
Plastic Alternatives: The minimal plastic components required for secondary functions are crafted in-house using bio-based, non-toxic PLA filament, a renewable and biodegradable material.
Durability and Reparability: Iulius Guitars are designed for long-term reliability and ease of repair. The bolt-on overhang neck design allows for easy neck resets and adjustments, while the overall structural design with asymmetric sound hole prioritizes stability and longevity, ensuring that your instrument can be enjoyed for generations to come.
By embracing these practices, I strive to create instruments that are not only exceptional in sound and playability but also reflect a deep respect for our planet’s resources.

A manufactured guitar, one TREE PLANTED

As a member of APLG association of french luthiers, I partecipate to the campaign of One Tree Planted developed in cooperation with Jacques Carbonneaux, head of APLG wood commission.

This study on the state of health of 123 species used in guitar building produced clear findings (latest data dated October 16, 2019) :

 

  • 41% of the 123 species have a status of worrying (50 species)
  • 62% of the 123 species are tropical (76 species)
  • 59% of 76 tropical species have a status of worrying (46 species)
  • only 17 of the 47 species with a status of worrying (tropical or not) are regulated by CITES
  • 66% of species that have a status of worrying therefore continue to be exploited and traded despite their IUCN status equivalent to or higher than “near threatened”
 

In addition, after analysis of the recent IUCN study on the European Red List of Trees which concludes that out of 454 species, 42% (168) of European tree species have been assessed as threatened, it turns out that 3 important species for the instrument making are not mentioned in the study as threatened but nevertheless seem to be the object of very recent threats and very worrying in the short term. The species concerned are:

 

  • spruce – picea abies
  • ash – Fraxinus excelsior
  • maple – Acer pseudoplatanus
 

In light of this, the APLG wood commission carried out a search for replanting projects that can be seen flourishing around the world in order to select the most relevant. 

For more infos, please go to the APLG website, or One Tree Planted website.