Many of us are concerned about the enviroment but few of us give much thought to how enviromental concerns are involved in our instruments. Granted, instrument making is a small industry compared to industries like furniture making when it comes to wood consumption, but it still is a concern because many of the great tonewoods makers and musicians seek are endangered. Brazilian Rosewood, Honduran Mahogany and others are still being used but now they have stricter requirements in harvesting and reselling the wood, which of course, adds to the cost.
Some companies are aware of these issues and are doing things to improve the situation. Companies like Crafter are using other types of wood, equally great but not under the endangered banner like Dao, Bubinga and Sonokeling. These woods are still great tonewoods and in some cases are uniquely beautiful, which gives the buyer something special tonally and visibly. Many other companies are adopting this approach, which, in my opinion, is a great thing. More wood varieties, more tone options, more choice, less expense and danger.
Which brings me to an interesting bit of news. Gibson Guitars in Nashville was just raided this week for possible violations of the Lacey Act, which concerns wood certification and obtaining wood through proper channels. Hopefully, this proves untrue for the guitar giant but we'll have to wait and see. Add to this Fender's recent fining by the US Environmental Protection Agency for improper storage and handling of hazardous waste and we see that there is still room for improvement.
