16.01.2025
Veneer in instrument making:
Bonn/Erlangen. Veneer has played a major role in instrument making for centuries. Stringed and plucked instruments, but also pianos and percussion instruments, are among those that set the tone. Jens Schönitz is someone who has dedicated himself entirely to guitar making and is passionate about using the “thinnest solid wood in the world”. His manufactory in Erlangen produces guitars of unique beauty and the best sound.
Schönitz mainly uses sawn veneers for his elaborately handcrafted guitars. “A key characteristic of this veneer is that it is not sliced or peeled, but sawn or ripped from round wood. This means that it can be produced in any individual thickness,” says the guitar maker and continues: ”In addition to its unique visual appearance and its pronounced sustainability, the veneer always provides a wonderful sound as the resonating body of the instrument, depending on the type of wood - a decisive factor in instrument making.”
Jens Schönitz uses a variety of woods to build his guitars: he mainly uses veneers made from maple, rosewood, mahogany, cherry, plum or walnut. “When building a guitar, I use veneer from 0.5 millimetres to 3 millimetres thick for visual, tonal and stability reasons. Since the natural material is usually used in several layers of different colors, this results in beautiful contrasts and lines that have a special visual appeal and precise lines,” says Schönitz and continues: ”Individual adjustments regarding the type of wood, color or other details are no problem.”
Thanks to the sandwich principle used in construction, i.e. the bonding of several layers of veneer, a high level of stability is achieved for the body of the instrument and the guitar neck, which in turn has a positive effect on the sound that can be achieved. “The result of many manual work steps and - depending on the order - 100 or more working hours, is a good-sounding work of art that cannot be found anywhere else in the world,” affirms the guitar maker. The price of the finished instrument is as varied as its appearance: “It ranges from a few hundred to several thousand euros. However, the latter are more for professionals beginners should start at the lower end of the price scale,” says Schönitz.
The end result is always a unique and sustainably crafted one-off: “In guitar making, veneer can perfectly showcase its beauty and individuality. The appearance, which is further enhanced with a final surface treatment, and the balanced sound, not only inspire the audience, but also the owner of the musical instrument every single day,” concludes Ursula Geismann, Managing Director of the Initiative Furnier + Natur (IFN). IFN/DS
Initiative Veneer + Nature (IFN)
The Initiative Furnier + Natur (IFN) e.V. was founded in 1996 by the German veneer industry and its partners. Today it is supported by European companies from the veneer industry, the trade and the veneer processing industry as well as trade associations of the wood industry. The aim of the association is to promote veneer as a natural all-round material.
Further information about the IFN at:
furnier.de/en
wood-veneer-stories.de
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Image 1: On display here: Decorative chips from various veneers in contrast. Photo: SCHÖNITZ guitars
Image 2: Rosette as a mosaic of olive, framed with decorative chips of veneer. Photo: SCHÖNITZ guitars
Picture 3: Guitar head with fine veneer grains - Model Classico Olive. Photo: SCHÖNITZ guitars
Picture 4: The finished masterpiece is ready for the concert. Photo: SCHÖNITZ Guitars
16. 01. 2025
Initiative Furnier + Natur e.V. - Bonner Talweg 84 - D-53113 Bonn - m +49 171 1783 444 www.furnier.de - www.veneer.eu - presse@furnier.de
Veneer in instrument making:
Euphonious works of art from the best of the tree
Bonn/Erlangen. Veneer has played a major role in instrument making for centuries. Stringed and plucked instruments, but also pianos and percussion instruments, are among those that set the tone. Jens Schönitz is someone who has dedicated himself entirely to guitar making and is passionate about using the “thinnest solid wood in the world”. His manufactory in Erlangen produces guitars of unique beauty and the best sound.
Schönitz mainly uses sawn veneers for his elaborately handcrafted guitars. “A key characteristic of this veneer is that it is not sliced or peeled, but sawn or ripped from round wood. This means that it can be produced in any individual thickness,” says the guitar maker and continues: ”In addition to its unique visual appearance and its pronounced sustainability, the veneer always provides a wonderful sound as the resonating body of the instrument, depending on the type of wood - a decisive factor in instrument making.”
Jens Schönitz uses a variety of woods to build his guitars: he mainly uses veneers made from maple, rosewood, mahogany, cherry, plum or walnut. “When building a guitar, I use veneer from 0.5 millimetres to 3 millimetres thick for visual, tonal and stability reasons. Since the natural material is usually used in several layers of different colors, this results in beautiful contrasts and lines that have a special visual appeal and precise lines,” says Schönitz and continues: ”Individual adjustments regarding the type of wood, color or other details are no problem.”
Thanks to the sandwich principle used in construction, i.e. the bonding of several layers of veneer, a high level of stability is achieved for the body of the instrument and the guitar neck, which in turn has a positive effect on the sound that can be achieved. “The result of many manual work steps and - depending on the order - 100 or more working hours, is a good-sounding work of art that cannot be found anywhere else in the world,” affirms the guitar maker. The price of the finished instrument is as varied as its appearance: “It ranges from a few hundred to several thousand euros. However, the latter are more for professionals beginners should start at the lower end of the price scale,” says Schönitz.
The end result is always a unique and sustainably crafted one-off: “In guitar making, veneer can perfectly showcase its beauty and individuality. The appearance, which is further enhanced with a final surface treatment, and the balanced sound, not only inspire the audience, but also the owner of the musical instrument every single day,” concludes Ursula Geismann, Managing Director of the Initiative Furnier + Natur (IFN). IFN/DS
Initiative Veneer + Nature (IFN)
The Initiative Furnier + Natur (IFN) e.V. was founded in 1996 by the German veneer industry and its partners. Today it is supported by European companies from the veneer industry, the trade and the veneer processing industry as well as trade associations of the wood industry. The aim of the association is to promote veneer as a natural all-round material.
Further information about the IFN at:
furnier.de/en
wood-veneer-stories.de
Image 1: On display here: Decorative chips from various veneers in contrast. Photo: SCHÖNITZ guitars
Image 2: Rosette as a mosaic of olive, framed with decorative chips of veneer. Photo: SCHÖNITZ guitars
Picture 3: Guitar head with fine veneer grains - Model Classico Olive. Photo: SCHÖNITZ guitars
Picture 4: The finished masterpiece is ready for the concert. Photo: SCHÖNITZ Guitars
16. 01. 2025
Initiative Furnier + Natur e.V. - Bonner Talweg 84 - D-53113 Bonn - m +49 171 1783 444 www.furnier.de - www.veneer.eu - presse@furnier.de
Image 1: On display here: Decorative chips from various veneers in contrast. Photo: SCHÖNITZ guitars
Image 2: Rosette as a mosaic of olive, framed with decorative chips of veneer. Photo: SCHÖNITZ guitars
Picture 3: Guitar head with fine veneer grains - Model Classico Olive. Photo: SCHÖNITZ guitars
Picture 4: The finished masterpiece is ready for the concert. Photo: SCHÖNITZ Guitars