Joe talks about the use of alternative woods in Gibson guitars (Page 2 of 3)

I'm on the same page here.
not that the tone is different but the fact that why was Gibson singled out and the rest free to run wild.

People need to stop acting like Gibson have been picked out for some reason. They must have done something wrong! Clearly nobody knows what, I certainly don't, but there is no way that the government just decided "Hey! Gibson Guitars, they use rosewood, lets go steal it cause we don't like them...but leave the rest, that'll be fun!"

I read something about Gibson not changing their supplier when other guitar companies did (because maybe they had to to remain completely legal). I wouldn't put it past Gibson trying to get something a bit cheaper and by doing so trying to twist the system. It won't be the "Feds" fault, Gibson will be in the wrong.

But PLEASE lets stop speculating. Nobody is going to say something on here which will result in everyone going "OH! That's it! God, of course!"
We won't know without an official statement from someone...official.

I agree to an extent Ian. In that, they could do all that and then keep the purists happy with a smaller production of guitars.
I don't know why they don't make a US model that is actually close to the burst look. ie, nickel hardware, abr-1, thin neck binding, maple headstock veneer. Instead of chrome, nashville and thick neck binding. (anyway that's just a thing I would personally like to see)

Annoyingly Gibson go down ridiculous routes with the technology stuff. The robot guitar...and that Firebird X.
I'm all for a les paul made of Ash or Alder though, I think the tone could be great and obviously drastically different from Mahogany. So why they don't produce more like that I'll never know.
Or...try push new models like that new semi they brought out...(I forget the name)

Well to add fuel to the fire the whole reason Gibson got in trouble was the Lacey act.  Under this law the country that provides the woods you have to obey their laws.  India has a law saying that rosewood must be a finished product for a USA company to purchase.  That means it has to be cut to shape with frets and inlays already installed.  Gibson did not do this.  Nobody does this, which is why they said they got singled out.  It has nothing to do with paper work, but rather the work being done to the wood after its left the country.  BTW India didn't bring up this law, our Gov't did.

you are 100% incorrect about how each manufacturer handles their parts and manufacturing by repeating a blanket statement made by the CEO of gibson.  Paul Reed Smith commented on the situation soon after it happened.  no point in arguing about this really.  what is done is done and if gibson is as innocent as they say they are they will get out scott-free or with minor fines.  I for one hope that either of those happens.

I'm just discussing what I know man.  I'm not fighting with you.  If you got some info that Paul Reed Smith said I'd love to hear it.  Lets not take this so personal.

Here really is the bottom-line and why I shot the video.  Gibson and other guitar manufactures are simply running out of trees to cut down. Just as the Ocean is running out of edible fish.  The future of guitar manufacturing will be in these sustainable woods until the days the protected trees grow back in abundance.  I was impressed with the feel of all three guitars they sent .  I am a purist... Just check out that lovely brazilian  rosewood fingerboard on my avatar picture.  The only thing is that tree was cut down at least 52 years ago. I know that there is no future in those woods for big guitar manufactures.  Yes you can buy old furniture as some companies are trying... ( that is a finite source as well) The boutique guys act like its no big deal and that they have it in abundance.  They don't, and they are too small to fall upon the mighty feds radar. Hence all that Lacey act nonsense that Gibson was subjected to.  So that leaves us where we started.  New sustainable woods so us guitar geeks can get our fix on a semi annual basis.  Its 2012 and these are new or soon to be new realities.
Joe B

Indeed. Thanks for chiming in, Joe. I kind of liked the sound you got from the baked maple fretboard in that video. They haven't started turning up in the stores yet, but when those moderately-priced Classic Customs with the maple boards DO arrive, I'll be giving serious consideration to one of these...

Goldtop:  http://static.musiciansfriend.com/deriv … ld_top.jpg
Antique Natural:  http://static.musiciansfriend.com/deriv … atural.jpg

If they're as nice in person as they are in the pics, I might have one for you to sign by the time you swing through my neck of the woods later this spring!