Tim Teel has worked at C.F. Martin & Co. since 1986 in research and development and has experience developing many of their guitar series. He discusses Martin Guitar's history of switching wood materials due to sustainability concerns and their development of synthetic and domestic wood alternatives. Teel notes that while alternative materials have different tonal properties than natural woods, combinations and bracing are important, and acceptance in the market requires education around price, perception and timing of new materials.