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  #1  
Old 11-17-2009, 02:25 PM
Help!I'maRock! Help!I'maRock! is offline
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Gibson Guitars raided by the FBI
http://www.nashvillepost.com/news/20..._raided_by_fbi

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.
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  #2  
Old 11-17-2009, 02:28 PM
dunara dunara is offline
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This is not going to end in a warm fuzzy place.....

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  #3  
Old 11-17-2009, 02:31 PM
newswede newswede is offline
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eeks...wonder if Peavey turned 'em in. LOL
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  #4  
Old 11-17-2009, 02:32 PM
indravayu indravayu is offline
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Wow!
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  #5  
Old 11-17-2009, 02:32 PM
billguitar64 billguitar64 is offline
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Maybe they'll waterboard the fretboards...
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  #6  
Old 11-17-2009, 02:32 PM
HeeHaw HeeHaw is offline
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I'm not too upset over any of this.
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Old 11-17-2009, 02:33 PM
travisvwright travisvwright is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HeeHaw View Post
I'm not too upset over any of this.
Yupp
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Old 11-17-2009, 02:34 PM
AaeCee AaeCee is offline
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So is Madagascar now the new Brazilian?
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Old 11-17-2009, 02:37 PM
aroman aroman is offline
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The Gibson Hendrix Guitar Fiasco and now this !?!
Shame !
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  #10  
Old 11-17-2009, 02:37 PM
coldfingaz coldfingaz is online now
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Shocking!
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  #11  
Old 11-17-2009, 02:39 PM
mj07 mj07 is offline
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Man, sorry to hear that Gibby might be a part of this- I sure hope not....
it is a real danger (deforestation) there in a huge way.
http://www.wildmadagascar.org/conservation/threats.html
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Old 11-17-2009, 02:39 PM
madscientist madscientist is offline
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If they switch to Indian Rosewood, will prices drop some?
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  #13  
Old 11-17-2009, 02:41 PM
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mike@nortoncable.com mike@nortoncable.com is offline
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Crap, a Braz R9 is about to be worth $15,000...
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  #14  
Old 11-17-2009, 02:44 PM
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Shame on Gibson ... think of the lemurs ... <que creepy Sahra McGlaflin commercial>
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  #15  
Old 11-17-2009, 02:44 PM
travisvwright travisvwright is offline
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If they switch to Indian Rosewood, will prices drop some?
The thing about illegal smuggling is you normally only do it if you are getting a price cut. So I doubt legal tax and customs paid Indian is any cheaper than smuggled Madagascar.
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