Gibson Guitars raided by FBI

[bongomania]

I didn't see any Misc or OT posts on this yet, so:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Iconic company investigated for illegal importation of Madagascar wood

Email | Print By J.R. Lind


11-17-2009 2:31 PM —
UPDATED: To clarify charges have yet to be filed.

Federal agents and local police today seized wood, guitars, computers and boxes of files from Gibson Guitar's Massman Road manufacturing facility.

Sources say the Nashville-based guitar manufacturer is being investigated for violating the Lacey Act, a key piece of environmental law, for importing endangered species of rosewood from Madagascar.

Rosewood is widely used in the construction of guitars and sells for $5,000 per cubic meter, more than double the price of mahogany. The island nation off Africa's east coast is a key producer of the hardwood, the export of which has links to international criminal activity.

Madagascar has struggled financially since a January coup and new President Andry Rajoelina issued an executive order in September legalizing the export of rosewood and ebony. The move was decried by environmental groups and political leaders worldwide, as hardwood forests are key to Madagascar's unique ecology and serve as a habitat for a dwindling lemur population.

Sources tell NashvillePost.com Gibson was involved in a scheme that shipped the wood from Madagascar to Germany and then to the United States.

 

[stflbn]

I swear, at least half the guitar players here around nashville have worked for Gibson. I wouldn't be surprised if it was just a wronged ex employee being a b*#&*$#.

Or, they could be guilty.

 

[TheRockinRoadie]

Serves them right for charging you extra to have their name on the headstock...

 

[sleepy_monkey]

Serves them right for charging you extra to have their name on the headstock...

Yeah b/c no one else does that.

 

[kugelspot]

^ Few companies do it to the extent Gibson does. Fender doesn't even overcharge you by that much. The only company worse than Gibson in that regard is Rickenbacker

 

[koobie]

If it's true, I hope they throw the book at them.

 

[lousybassplayer]

Yeah, what a bunch of asshats! Buying a product from the country that owns it and making money to support their up and coming new economy! I really hope the people of Madagascar all just starve to death and die so that the lemurs and the whiney greeny pukes can all live happily.

 

[trowaclown]

Yeah, what a bunch of asshats! Buying a product from the country that owns it and making money to support their up and coming new economy! I really hope the people of Madagascar all just starve to death and die so that the lemurs and the whiney greeny pukes can all live happily.

How ignorant. Unsustainable harvesting of those woods is going to ruin BOTH the ecology and their livelihood. And you can't be sure where the income from the sale of these woods due to the sudden 'executive order' is going to. Might be lining the pockets of politicians and not the general population, yes?

 

[Rattman]

I also very much dislike and reject the "greenies" methods.. however, there definitely has to be a balance with the use of these exotic hardwoods. You should see the destroyed remains of former glorious jungle forests in the Philippines by illegal harvesting... it will break your hearts.

 

[lousybassplayer]

I also very much dislike and reject the "greenies" methods.. however, there definitely has to be a balance with the use of these exotic hardwoods. You should see the destroyed remains of former glorious jungle forests in the Philippines by illegal harvesting... it will break your hearts.

No, it wouldn't. A tree is a home for a lemur, lumber is a home for people. I choose people. Sorry, I am one so I am biased.

Furthermore, is it unsustainable? Plant more trees, cut the ones you have. In the meantime, eat the displaced lemurs and sell their skins for coats. You can breed more of them too.

 

[scotch]

No, it wouldn't. A tree is a home for a lemur, lumber is a home for people. I choose people. Sorry, I am one so I am biased.

Furthermore, is it unsustainable? Plant more trees, cut the ones you have. In the meantime, eat the displaced lemurs and sell their skins for coats. You can breed more of them too.

Wow.

 

[SnoMan]

 

[RedemptionBass]

No, it wouldn't. A tree is a home for a lemur, lumber is a home for people. I choose people. Sorry, I am one so I am biased.

Furthermore, is it unsustainable? Plant more trees, cut the ones you have. In the meantime, eat the displaced lemurs and sell their skins for coats. You can breed more of them too.

I bet lemurs are tasty.

 

[fishsticks]

if you slapped a gibson logo on a lemur burger you could solve everyone's problems... "tastes great and has classic tone and styling" lemur burger- $1500.00 @ your local guitar center bar and grill!

 

[Metal Mitch]

I bet lemurs are tasty.

I bet they're not. But they might be suitable for dog food, or the dwindling polar bear population.

 

[jnuts1]

i would totaly eat a lemur.

 

[J. Crawford]

Lousy's posts have me laughing so hard, whether theyre serious or not, I dont care.

 

[DudeWheresMy182]

^same here (in regards to eating a lemur)^

 

[GregC]

How ignorant. Unsustainable harvesting of those woods is going to ruin BOTH the ecology and their livelihood. And you can't be sure where the income from the sale of these woods due to the sudden 'executive order' is going to. Might be lining the pockets of politicians and not the general population, yes?

Yep, agreed.

 

[GregC]

No, it wouldn't. A tree is a home for a lemur, lumber is a home for people. I choose people. Sorry, I am one so I am biased.

It's a fake choice.