(A unique collection)
THE BELFORTI® WOOD LIBRARY
Discover the Belforti® Wood Library
Our wood library is a unique collection of wood pieces, founded and organized on a state of the art rating system using the latest technologies and scientific methods available.
The library is organised in 3 categories, based on several factors that are detailed below, but most importantly the Belforti Rating™, that combines different scientific measurements into a unique score.
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These woods are carefully selected for their sound quality and durability. They offer great tonal balance and are aesthetically pleasing with minimal irregularities. They are a great choice for any player looking for a reliable and quality instrument at a competitive price.
All the Premium Grade woods score between 70 & 79 on the Belforti Rating™
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The Master Grade woods are a step above in terms of visual allure and tonal superiority. They showcase more pronounced figure and color, and are expected to produce superior tonal richness and resonance. They are selected for their flawless quality and unique aesthetic beauty, making them suitable for professional musicians and serious amateurs.
All the Master Grade woods score between 80 & 89 on the Belforti Rating™
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The highest quality woods fall into the Private Stock category. These woods are often reserved for custom shop and high-end boutique instruments. They are typically distinguished by exceptional beauty, rarity, and tonal excellence. Instruments made with Private Stock woods are true works of art and are often collected as much for their aesthetic appeal as their musicality.
All the Private Stock woods score between 90 & above on the Belforti Rating™
At Belforti Instruments®, we understand the immense value of the world's forests and the role they play in the crafting of our instruments. This is why we strive to ensure that our wood sourcing practices are as responsible and ethical as possible.
Origins, supply & ethics
Origins of our Woods
Our carefully curated wood library features a diverse range of premium quality woods sourced from all corners of the globe. We choose species known for their unique tonal qualities, aesthetic appeal, and working characteristics. From the rich resonance of American Mahogany to the vibrant tones of African Ebony and the striking beauty of Michigan Maple, we have assembled a collection that caters to every musical requirement and personal aesthetic preference.
Our production being very small in numbers, we allow ourselves to use exotic species, as long as they come from our trusted sustainable sources. The main bulk of our essences are sourced locally, mainly from our beloved French Jura and Vosges forests.
Ethical Supply
Our commitment to ethical sourcing is unwavering. We work closely with suppliers who uphold the highest environmental standards and who share our respect for the world's forests. The wood we use is legally sourced and compliant with international laws and regulations, including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the Lacey Act.
Giving Back
Our reverence for the natural world extends beyond our wood sourcing practices. We believe in giving back to the environment and contribute to reforestation initiatives. Our aim is to ensure that the creation of beautiful music does not come at the cost of our planet's health.
By choosing a Belforti® Instrument, you are not only investing in an instrument of unparalleled quality and craftsmanship but also supporting a business that values ethical and sustainable practices. Together, we can create music that resonates with the harmony of nature.
Sustainability
At Belforti Instruments®, sustainability is a priority. We recognize our role in preserving the world's forests for future generations. Therefore, we only allow wood in our shop that has been collected in well-managed, sustainable forests or family exploitations.
Our philosophy is that in many cases, such as Madagascar, a country I’ve lived in and love deeply, there are a lot of small family owned exploitations that struggle to protect the environment and ensure their future with the local ressources. Meanwhile next door often exists doubtfull exploitations that don’t respect the conservation guidelines to sustainable harvest. If we choose to boycott an entire country or specie, we will indeed solve a part of the problem, but to the detriment of a potential healthy development of local communities that might turn towards poaching and black market trading if their business crashes.
Instead, we work closely with small producers, family owned or cooperative businesses from accross the globe. Doing this allows us to support positive actors of the industry, and shows local communities that the proper way of harvesting ressources is more viable financially and ethically.
Moreover, we continually strive to minimize waste in our manufacturing process by utilizing every piece of wood to its full potential.
Conservation, drying & aging process
At Belforti Instruments®, we understand the significant role that properly aged and conserved wood plays in the creation of our exceptional instruments. Our dedication to quality and craftsmanship extends to the meticulous care and patience we put into the preparation of our tonewoods.
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The journey of our tonewoods begins at conservation. As soon as a tree is cut, steps are taken to prevent rapid moisture loss, which can lead to warping or cracking. This may involve sealing the wood ends with wax or a similar substance to regulate the drying process. We diligently preserve the integrity of the wood, ensuring it maintains its intrinsic beauty and resonant qualities, a commitment that sets the stage for the rest of our meticulous process.
All the Premium Grade woods score between 70 & 79 on the Belforti Rating™
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Once properly conserved, the wood enters the drying phase. This phase is often a blend of air and kiln drying, delicately balancing the natural and controlled loss of moisture. Air drying is the gentlest way to reduce moisture content and can last for months or even years. Kiln drying, conducted under tightly controlled conditions, follows to eradicate any remaining excess moisture. This dual drying process allows us to achieve a moisture content that aligns with the typical conditions our instruments will experience throughout their lifetime.
All the Master Grade woods score between 80 & 89 on the Belforti Rating™
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The final phase of our wood preparation process is aging. As wood ages, its tonal properties can evolve, often resulting in a richer, more resonant sound. During this time, the wood is carefully stored under controlled conditions that foster its slow adjustment and stabilization. The resins in the wood harden, making the instrument more responsive and enhancing the complexity of its tone.
At Belforti Instruments®, we believe in the profound impact of time on our tonewoods. The years we invest in preparing each piece of wood are reflected in the unique voice and exceptional quality of our instruments.
All the Private Stock woods score between 90 & above on the Belforti Rating™
The Belforti Rating™
Following the example of Bryan Galloup’s Wood Rating System, a complete game changing software that enables acoustic builders to understand their raw material, classify it, and help acheive production consistency, we decided to develop something that could help us acheive the same goals, this time for electric guitars.
By nature, their behavior is different, and we all know that a lot happen later in the electronic chain. Still there are a lot of common parameters that influence both type of instruments sound and behavior, and our rating system is meant to fill the gap between acoustic and electric building, treating electric builds and materials with the same scientific approach and data analysis.
To ensure the highest quality and consistency in our instruments, we decided to employ the innovative Bing Technology for tonewood analysis, developed the CIRAD Research Center. Our rating system is largely based on that proven and recognized system, and adds a layer of depth and complexity to better suit our guitar building problematics.
Here are all the parameters tested and mesured that are input in our rating system.
BING
BING, or Beam Identification by Non-destructive Grading, uses vibration analysis to determine the mechanical properties of the wood. This provides critical information about the wood's elasticity, internal friction, and other key factors.
Density
This measures the mass of wood per unit of volume. The density of wood can greatly impact its tone, sustain, and overall sound when used in an instrument.
Janka Hardness
Janka hardness is a measure of a wood's resistance to wear, denting, and indentation. It's commonly used to assess the hardness of wood used in flooring and furniture. The Janka test involves measuring the force required to embed a steel ball into the wood to a certain depth. The higher the Janka hardness rating, the harder the wood.
Modulus of Elasticity
Modulus of elasticity, often referred to as Young's Modulus, is a measure of a material's stiffness or rigidity. It quantifies how a material deforms under an applied force. In the context of wood, it indicates how much the wood will bend or flex when subjected to stress. A higher modulus of elasticity indicates greater stiffness.
Modulus of Rupture
Modulus of rupture measures a material's ability to withstand bending or breaking when subjected to an external force. It is also referred to as the bending strength. It is the maximum stress experienced within a material at the moment of failure when subjected to a bending load.
Stiffness-to-Weight Ratio
This ratio measures how much the wood can flex under load in relation to its weight. A high stiffness-to-weight ratio generally indicates a wood that is lightweight yet strong, which can contribute to excellent resonance and sustain in a musical instrument.
FFT Analysis
Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) is a mathematical method used to transform signals between time (or spatial) domain and frequency domain. In the context of wood grading, FFT analysis helps to understand the spectral characteristics of the wood, which can provide insights about its resonance and tonal qualities.
First Mode Frequency
In the context of musical instruments, especially guitars, the first mode frequency refers to the primary resonant frequency of the instrument's body. It's the frequency at which the guitar body vibrates most noticeably when the strings are plucked. This frequency plays a crucial role in shaping the instrument's tone and timbre.
Quality Factor
The quality factor (Q-factor) is a measure of a resonator's bandwidth relative to its center frequency. It's used to assess the damping or energy loss in the wood, affecting the sustain and tone of the instrument.
Quantified Sustain Potential Measurement
This is a proprietary measurement method that quantifies the sustain potential of the wood. Sustain refers to the length of time a note will resonate, and it's a key factor in the overall sound and playability of an instrument.
We mix all this data into an equation with a relative weight for each parameter, and end up with a comprensive rating on a scale of 100. Anything below 70 is not used for critical parts in the builds, and relegated into sub part material such as pickup shells, backplate, laminations etc. Note that the only pieces we analyze are bodies, necks and fretboards, as other pieces such as tops have a non-significant impact on the final coupled systems.
During a build, we test uncoupled and coupled systems to ensure that once bonded, they still display superior behavior. Finally, we are working on another layer of that system, that will attribute a weight to each piece in the entire coupled assembly, body neck and fretboard, so that we can issue a final rating of the entire luthiered ensemble, prior to electrifying it.
The Belforti Rating is a reflection of this rigorous assessment. It provides valuable insights into the tonal characteristics of the wood used in our instruments, helping you choose an instrument that perfectly matches your sonic preferences. It also enables us to recreate an exact wood blend’s characteristics, even with different species and achieve virtual perfect consistency, going against the outdated myth that you can’t make twice the same instrument. Transparency and precision are fundamental to our approach, and the Belforti Rating underscores our commitment to delivering instruments of exceptional tonal quality.