Fender to phase out most of its ash guitars

[Maddox]

In the email, Fender explained two key environmental factors that led to the decision. Firstly, an invasive insect species, the Emerald Ash Borer, has been responsible for the sharp decline of ash trees in North America over the last two decades. Fender VP of Electric Guitars, Basses And Amplifiers Max Gutnik said in the email: “While there are currently efforts to cultivate ash borer-resistant trees, there is a 40- to 50-year growth period required for instrument-grade wood.”

And secondly, the increased flooding of the Mississippi Delta, where the company gets most of its swamp ash wood, has caused a “near-total elimination of ash lumber from the market”, Gutnik claims. Last year saw record-setting floods, which caused the swamp ash harvesting grounds to remain underwater for most of the year.

Fender is phasing out most of its ash guitars

Fender is phasing out the use of ash wood in their guitar production. This claim comes from Australian dealer, Guitar Station – which Gear News later confirmed with Fender. The company cited the rapid decline of ash tree populations as the key decision maker.

guitar.com