GAIATONE: Nature's Melody via Sustainable Woods
For inquiries within Europe, please contact our dedicated partner, Claudia Klein. She's happy to help with any questions you may have. Her contact information is listed below.
Contact: Claudia Klein
email: willkommen@communique-pr.de
Phone: +49 871 1423 1064
Fingerboards & Tailpieces For Violins, Viola, Cello, and Bass
Crafting Instruments for a Greener Future
At V. Richelieu and Vermont Violins, we believe that beautiful music can – and should – be created with a conscience. That's why our instruments harmonize both traditional craftsmanship and modern sustainability.
GaiaTone: Offers a beautiful aesthetic, without use of rare or endangered natural materials. Luthier workshops will find GaiaTone to be economically and visually similar to ebony.
GaiaTone fingerboards are sufficiently porous to bind with hide glues. The stock shape can be adjusted with sandpaper, rasps, and planes along the top and bottom surfaces. The dark, black color is consistent throughout the product. GaiaTone fittings have similar technical specifications to ebony, but are more stable. GaiaTone fittings are available in non-black colors as well for kids, rockstars and players desiring an alternative look and personality.
GaiaTone Fittings are milled in Vermont, USA. Fingerboards have scoop, undercuts, rounded edges---ready to install.
PetroFree Resins: A Plant-Based Foundation
Just as the finest violins are built upon a strong foundation, our fingerboards begin with PetroFree resins. These innovative resins are derived from natural substances like cashewnut shell liquid, eliminating the need for harsh chemicals and petroleum-based products. The result? Exceptionally strong, durable instruments that are as gentle on the planet as they are on the ears. Our fingerboards are crafted from GaiaTone, an eco-friendly ebony alternative that offers the same smooth feel and responsiveness while minimizing environmental impact. While GaiaTone is safe to work with, we recommend using a respirator mask for dust mitigation during carving and shaping.
Why GaiaTone?
100% Recycled: Made entirely from post-consumer materials, reducing waste and preserving natural resources.
Non-Toxic: Free of petroleum, formaldehyde, and other harmful substances, safeguarding both musicians and the environment.
High Performance: Meticulously engineered to meet the exacting standards of professional musicians, ensuring optimal playability and sound quality.
Two Key Components:
Base Material (80%): 100% post-consumer recycled material.
Binding Resin (20%):
100% non-petroleum
No formaldehyde
Safe to work with (see MSDS sheets)
No known toxins
Ultra-low emission resin
Safe for You, Safe for the Planet:
GaiaTone is a safe, sustainable choice for musicians and the environment.
Expertly Developed: Created by a world-renowned resin scientist.
Endangered Species
Laws
Regulations
Explore the Future of Instrument Making:
Ebony vs. Gaiatone: Understand the contrasts between traditional ebony, variable and regulated for conservation, and Gaiatone, a consistent, FSC-certified alternative.
Conservation Impact: Learn about the increasing regulatory challenges facing ebony sourcing and how Gaiatone offers a sustainable solution.
Quality Assurance: Discover how Gaiatone maintains consistent physical characteristics, meeting and exceeding the standards of ebony.
Embrace Innovation: Embrace sustainable innovation in instrument making with Gaiatone, ensuring a harmonious blend of craftsmanship and conservation.
CUSTOMER TESTIMONIAL
“I think the idea of using recycled paper to make sustainable fingerboards with such high craftsmanship and quality is a fantastic idea! From a player perspective, I do not notice any big difference between the wood version and the recycled paper version; perhaps, the only difference is that the latter’s surface feels smoother and without visible veins from the wood. This does not bother me at all and overall, I think this would be a nice alternative that is more environmentally friendly without compromising the quality. ”
SHOP TESTIMONIALS
“Sonowood and GaiaTone are both valid replacement options for ebony as the fingerboard, saddle, and nut material.
Since our industry is facing continuous pressure in investing in ebony alternatives to comply with current and future CITES designations in appendixes 2 and 3, I am very grateful that these new materials exist and can be incorporated into instrument making.”
“We have put fingerboards on instruments. Our luthiers liked them a lot. Jonathan especially has had a lot of fingerboard experience and he really loved working with it. Charlie too loved working on it and it glued on beautifully.”
COMPARISON CHART
*Definitions
GaiaTone X = horizontal
GaiaTone Y = Vertical
GaiaTone Z = Depth
m/s is the symbol for metre per second,
1 Newton per Square Millimeter (N/mm2)
The kilogram per cubic metre (Kg/m3)
Sonowood and GaiaTone Are Sustainable Alternatives to Ebony
GAIATONE FITTINGS
Density (and relative weight) similar to Ebony
Sound velocity lower than Ebony (3500 vs 4500 m/s)
95% post-consumer paper combined with Non-Petroleum resins. No petroleum and no plastic component
Hardness slightly higher than ebony
Look and feel similar to Ebony
Compatible with most workshop tools
Hide glue compatible
Costs similar to Ebony
100% made in the USA
Sustainable options for stringed instruments - GAIATONE FITTINGS
PURCHASE GAIATONE PRODUCTS
FINGERBOARDS
TAILPIECES
