First Act Makes First-Rate Bamboo Guitars

Photo via First Act

Bamboo. It’s not just for cutting boards anymore. Seems like everything these days is made from this fast-growing, renewable plant – even guitars!

First Act’s Bambusa guitar is the first and only bamboo guitar, and it’s arguably the greenest option if you’re in the market for a new instrument (besides buying second-hand, of course). Specifically, the body and neck are made of densely laminated bamboo and sealed with a water-based natural matte finish. It’s all held together with food-safe glue. So when you get hungry in the middle of a jam session, just turn it over and chop up some fresh veggies. (Not really….)

Since a lot of guitars are traditionally constructed from old growth hardwoods, substituting bamboo instead helps preserve ancient forests and promote biodiversity. It can even defend against climate change, as old-growth forests store large amounts of carbon that are released into the environment when logged.

I think we can all agree on the Bambusa’s eco merits. But can it carry a tune? Actually, when processed bamboo is harder than maple, making it a great, tree-free alternative to high quality tonewoods.

According to Craig Small, Director of Product Development:

It’s a guitar you can rock out with, and feel good about playing. It feels so good, like you’ve played it a thousand times, but it has a ‘sizzle’ to its tone that you’re hearing for the first time.”

At $300, this guitar is a steal. If you live in Boston, you can try out the Bambusa for yourself by visiting First Act’s Guitar Studio.

Get it here: First Act ($300)

Wheatware Makes It Okay to Play With Your Food

Photo via Wheatware

Who says you can’t play with your food? Not Wheatware, a company that makes biodegradable drumsticks and guitar picks from wheat. For the kids-at-heart, they also make a maraca that doubles as a yo-yo. It’s filled with bean seeds, and will actually grow into a plant if you bury it in the ground!

There’s an annual 50 billion bushel wheat surplus, so there’s plenty of wheat to go around. Even better, Wheatware plans to create a take-back program for their stuff so it can be recycled to make new products.

But the real question is, can they rock? If awards and publicity are any indication, then yes. Wheatware guitar picks won “Best in Show” in the accessory category at the NAMM (the National Association of Music Merchants) show in Austin in July 2007 while Wheatware drumsticks scored “Trendsetter Award” at the NAMM show in Nashville in June 2008. Wheatware has also been featured on the History Channel’s Modern Marvels TV show and at the 2008 Grammys and Live Earth concerts.

If you’re still not convinced, you may be interested in knowing that the company’s top executives Warren Kirsch and Katherine Patton are musicians themselves  – they play guitar and drums respectively.

Get it here: Wheatware (drumsticks $15/pair; guitar picks $4.20 for 12; yo-yo/maraca $7)

Guilt-Free Guitar Straps

Photo via Splaff

Leather. It’s practically synonymous with rock ‘n roll. Unfortunately, it’s not so great for the environment (the leather industry uses lots of energy and chemicals), not to mention the cows and other animals that constitute the raw materials for our shoes, bags, and yes, even our guitar straps.

For a classic look without the guilt, Splaff offers guitar straps made from 100% recycled bicycle inner tubes. Each two-inch strap is hand-crafted and produced in a 100% waste-free process in which all leftover materials are reused or recycled. Choose from two versions – both in basic black – plain and grommet (for those that require a little extra attitude).

If you’re not a guitarist, Splaff also makes a few related accessories like belts and wrist bands, although I’m pretty sure the latter went out of style with hair metal bands back in the late 80s.

Get it here: Splaff (plain $28, grommet $32)