Podcast 294: Bruce Harvie (Orcas Island Tonewoods)

For forty years, Bruce Harvie (Orcas Island Tonewoods) has carved
out a nice existence for himself in the instrument making world
as a tonewood supplier. His one-man operation is based in one of
the most beautiful spots in North America (Washington State's San
Juan Islands), where he sells spruce, redwood and other raw
materials to mandolin and bowed instrument makers around the
world. He's also a prolific musician. 


Though he makes his living selling hand-selected wood, Harvie is
quick to point out that there's great instrument-making materials
all around us, for cheap. "It's amazing how many mandolins get
burned," he says. "I've gotten a lot of wood out of firewood
piles."

 


On this week's Fretboard Journal Podcast, we talk to Harvie
about his early instrument building days, how he sources his
tonewoods, and about some of the lesser-used woods in
instrument making that deserve a chance. 


 


Follow Orcas Island Tonewoods here and listen to Bruce's new
album here. 




This episode is sponsored by Mono Cases and Retrofret
Vintage Guitars.