my apology if this has been covered in TB — but apparently, Fender will not be producing ash bodied instruments, for many models.
for these instruments:
for these instruments:
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In the words of Shalamaar....Sigh. This is making me sad. I have an alder 5-string that I've been thinking I might like to trade for an ash body; now this will drive the prices up and make that trade impossible. Then there's just the sadness in general of the loss of these trees.
Invasive species is a pretty big deal, to which the US has paid barely lip service. One wonders when, if ever, governance will get a brain. This has LOOONG been an area of neglect, which has led to massive damage to our country’s resources.
In a related aspect, I wonder what this will do to pro baseball. That should be interesting.
Sigh. Hope for the best, plan for the worst.
I was on a video chat on Saturday, and Michael Tobias talked about this issue as well. He confirmed everything that was in the Fender letter, and said in the near future, Ash will be nearly impossible to find.
Steve (from G&L) was also on the chat, and he echoed the same concerns.
baseball will have to rely much heavier on maple and birch.
im also guessing leagues will have to re-evaluate regulations on composite wood bats
Any predictions on what woods Fender (and others) will move to in lieu of ash?
I do not expect you to produce an answer even if you have one, but with G&L I wonder what it will do concerning their premier finishes. I wonder if the switch will be to empress wood. I like the idea of a redburst JB at some point, so I hope they do do not lose finishes.