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1. i read an article where the author said that cypress used to be easily available in spain but know it is not . do you guys know what happened so that it is hard to get spanish cypress now ? 2. there are flamenco guitars made od 'red' colour wood. Do you know what is this red coloured wood called ?
RE: cypress availability these days ... (in reply to rafapak)
quote:
1. i read an article where the author said that cypress used to be easily available in spain but know it is not . do you guys know what happened so that it is hard to get spanish cypress now ?
When you ask questions like that, please make sure to post the source of the claim and link to the article. It will make it more likely to get responses.
'' The flamenco guitars are usually made with Spanish cypress, an attractive blond wood that is extremely light, and can be worked much thinner than rosewood. It is the use of thin, light cypress for the back and sides that helps give flamenco guitars their vibrant and distinctive sound. The choice of cypress over other woods, nonetheless, appears to have been a question of building affordable guitars. Few flamenco players could afford anything else, and cypress was abundant and cheap in Spain. In recent years, however, high quality cypress has become increasingly difficult to obtain.''
'' The flamenco guitars are usually made with Spanish cypress, an attractive blond wood that is extremely light, and can be worked much thinner than rosewood. It is the use of thin, light cypress for the back and sides that helps give flamenco guitars their vibrant and distinctive sound. The choice of cypress over other woods, nonetheless, appears to have been a question of building affordable guitars. Few flamenco players could afford anything else, and cypress was abundant and cheap in Spain. In recent years, however, high quality cypress has become increasingly difficult to obtain.''
I can't find any evidence that there is a general decline in abundance or quality of Mediterranean cypress; maybe he is mostly referring to prices for 'guitar quality' cypress rising over time. I am sure the luthiers here or other knowledgeable folks will chime in. Still, unless you are starting a guitar-making business, this should not affect you much - presumably you are planning to buy a built guitar, not the raw materials for it.
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RE: cypress availability these days ... (in reply to rafapak)
Spanish Cypress has been protected for a long time. My understanding is that furniture and other popular uses cause the decline of various woods (Brazilian for example) and because the users are not in the habit of PLANTING FREAKING TREES!!!!! ( ), there comes a time and desire to protect those trees. A lot of guitar builders use a similar wood from Turkey. The reason Indian Rosewood was never an issue is because the tree is well regulated (they plant them or whatever is required). I know in Brazil and South America in general, poachers would bypass laws by cutting trees and sending them down the river, crossing boarders “naturally”. Consuming resources is a global concern and should be a no brainer by this point the how and why of things like this.
RE: cypress availability these days ... (in reply to rafapak)
According to LMI:
Spanish Cypress might be more accurately called Mediterranean Cypress than Spanish, as it was introduced to Spain centuries ago from Asia Minor. Most flamenco makers prefer this traditional wood, but it's becoming scarce and expensive. It has been used since the 16th century for all kinds of musical instruments including lute ribs and harpsichord soundboards. Most of our Spanish Cypress comes out of Italy and Turkey.
RE: cypress availability these days ... (in reply to JasonM)
It amuses me that my friend Jero had the opportunity to buy the cypress trees from the cemetary of Algondales. He had them cut up as he liked in the local sawmills.
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), there comes a time and desire to protect those trees. A lot of guitar builders use a similar wood from Turkey. The reason Indian Rosewood was never an issue is because the tree is well regulated (they plant them or whatever is required). I know in Brazil and South America in general, poachers would bypass laws by cutting trees and sending them down the river, crossing boarders “naturally”. Consuming resources is a global concern and should be a no brainer by this point the how and why of things like this. 
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