Rested Wood, Better Wood

The model designation “ZZZ” was inspired by the rosewood used in this instrument, which had been resting in storage for many years before being given a new purpose.
In English-speaking countries, “ZZZ” is a familiar onomatopoeic expression used to represent sleeping or snoring.

Just as time allows fine materials to mature, this long-rested rosewood developed into a stable wood and has now found new life in the Melodion PRO-37v3 ZZZ.
The result is a unique instrument that combines sustainable craftsmanship with musical excellence.

Giving New Life to Rosewood That Slept for Years

Rosewood originally prepared for xylophone tone bars remained in storage after xylophone production was discontinued and demand for the material declined. Over nearly 40 years, the wood gradually acclimated to its environment, becoming an exceptionally stable and high-quality material.

However, because the wood had already been cut and processed to specific dimensions, finding a new application proved challenging. As discussions arose around selling or disposing of the material, we launched an internal call for ideas to give it a new purpose.

Among the many proposals submitted, one stood out: transforming the dormant rosewood into components for a Melodion. This idea offered the opportunity to breathe new life into the material as a musical instrument once again. The result is the PRO-37v3 ZZZ, a special model that combines sustainable craftsmanship with musical excellence.

From Rosewood to Side Covers

Because the original rosewood pieces were not thick enough for the intended application, three pieces were carefully laminated together to achieve the required thickness before being crafted into side covers.

When assembled and tested, the instrument revealed a tonal character unlike any previous model. The sound retains the clarity and brightness of the PRO-37v3 while offering a warmer, more refined quality, creating a distinctive new voice for the Melodion.

The Value of Upcycling

The laminated construction leaves subtle lines where the pieces meet, and each section of rosewood displays its own unique color and grain pattern.

Rather than concealing these characteristics, we embrace them as part of the value of upcycling. They stand as evidence that materials originally intended for a different purpose have been transformed and given a new role within a musical instrument.

As a result, no two PRO-37v3 ZZZ instruments are exactly alike. Each one tells its own story through the natural character of the wood.