After the federal search, Juszkiewicz called the alliance and offered to take a leave of absence "to avoid conflict or distraction," said President Tensie Whelan. "It's very difficult to know what's happening at this point," Whelan added. "Our hope indeed is there will be no violations of the Lacey Act."
Juszkiewicz has been on the group's board for more than 15 years and has taken a lead role in urging the music instrument industry to use sustainable wood products, the group said.
NPR notes that the Rainforest Alliance was supposed to review the company's records on Monday in order to renew Gibson's certification. In light of the investigation, they've postponed that review, reports NPR:
That audit is now on hold as the US Fish and Wildlife Service looks for evidence that the another kind of wood used at Gibson came illegally from Madagascar. Company officials have said they're cooperating with the investigation, and that they only use law-abiding suppliers.
"Gibson Guitar CEO leaves rainforest group after Nashville raid" [Tennessean] (Thanks to Smashville!)
"Rainforest Alliance Postpones Gibson Audit" [WPLN]
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"Feds Raid Gibson Guitars"
I have heard stories of Gibson actually going to a woman's house to buy her piano so they could use the woods for fretboards.
]]>I wonder if Gibson gets fined, if they'll raise their prices to offset any loss. I guess it wouldn't bother me any, since I don't currently play a Gibson, ON ACCOUNT OF THEM BEING VERY, VERY EXPENSIVE! [Emphasis mine.]
]]>Honestly speaking, this is VERY serious violation going on. Yes, remember this economy collapsed on questionable business practices. The FBI does not just investigate guitar companies for no reason, this probably goes beyond just the wood and involves some smuggling operations the corporation may have set up.
If you are wondering...Gibson guitars are big business...they start at $800 and can go up to $50,000. The incentives to do this are VERY high...wood is the most essential part of a guitar and the best woods are often from nearly extinct species. Brazillian Rosewood, Koa, Honduran Mahagony, African Ebony, etc. This is big business...so yes...this is a big deal. This could very well have a big effect.
]]>Sounds about right.
]]>Yes, but pine and oak do not make for good guitars.
]]>Over 10 years ago I worked at a luxury yacht company that used teak in the boat interiors. Most was teak laminated plywood but there was also often need to solid teak in the edges. We used to receive roughly 2x2 or 3x3 square lengths 6' to 10' long with weird end cuts (like a 1x1x2" long square stub) and always a drilled hole through on each end. I gathered that this was for the processing but then an R&D guy told me it was due to the wood being from "salvaged" ship decks. Right,,,virgin wood from out of commission ships, and when was the last time ships had actual wood decks?
]]>ZZT
]]>@zentex:
Or even the seventeenth and early eigteenth century :)
I honestly hope the investigation turns out in Gibson's favor, because I'm really craving a Flying V right about now.
]]>and by laughable I mean maybe a million and a slap on the wrist. Why doesn't the Fed's just shut down companies for good?
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