HOMESTEAD GIVES GIFT TO GUITAR BUYER TREE ON JAVA

Sjaak Smakman

Heemstede * The Heemstede guitar brand Homestead will give buyers of a guitar a young rosewood tree from Java as a gift, partly to ensure the future of the guitar brand. Homestead uses rosewood as standard for the solid sides and back of its acoustic guitars, which has been on the list of endangered species (CITES) since 2017. Homestead produces the guitars with the mandatory CITES certificate, but wants to pay extra attention to sustainability. That is why Homestead gives every customer a young rosewood tree as a ‘gift’.

On March 10, the first hundred trees were planted on the grounds of the Institute of Technology Bandung (ITB) on Java. The planted trees are approximately 2.5 meters high. A plaque with the name of the buyer is attached to each tree. The first three Homestead guitars were handed over last year to Heemstede residents Boudewijn de Groot, George Kooymans and Hennie Vrienten, who play together as the Vreemde Kostgangers.

The guitars are handmade in Bandung according to the individual wishes of the musician. The new brand was very well received in the magazine Gitarist. A formidable instrument for a relatively low price, was the final verdict of the test. According to the magazine, Homestead can compete with acoustic guitars from major brands such as Martin, Taylor and Gibson. The guitar was also chosen as ‘gear of the year’. The Homestead guitars are for sale from 2250 euros.