Is rosewood becoming scarce?

Costs exceeding $17,000 per ton. Rosewood grows in tropical regions of the world, and the name encompasses several dark-red hardwood species of tree. Because of its popularity, rosewood trees have been heavily harvested, resulting in all kinds of rosewood species becoming increasingly scarce.

Why is there no more rosewood?

The USA doesn’t really produce Rosewood though. There were ways to be able to use Rosewood but it couldn’t be done on a massive scale with the restrictions in place. Therefore many manufacturers started using alternatives such as Indian Laurel, Pao Ferro, and man-made materials designed to mimic wood.

When did fender introduce rosewood necks?

Rosewood fretboards have been a mainstay in guitar construction since 1959. The story goes that Leo Fender was frustrated with the wear in maple fretboards. He introduced the so-called “slab rosewood fretboard” in 1959 on the Stratocaster.

Is rosewood still banned?

After a nearly two-year CITES ban on the movement of rosewood crossing international borders, unless accompanied by the relevant paperwork, it looks like the ban has finally been overturned.

Does Gibson use real rosewood?

Likely the most widespread fingerboard tone wood in circulation, Rosewood is the preferred option for the majority of guitar players. North American rosewood is also used by Gibson — it’s a trustworthy source and sustainable. Madagascan and Amazonian Rosewood is also widely used.

Are guitar companies phasing out Rosewood?

This means that guitar companies will look to other types of wood to create their guitars, and potentially phasing out rosewood altogether, as hinted at by Fender.

Do you need a CITES permit to export a rosewood guitar?

Export permits are now required when such guitars are sold across national borders. Luckily for guitarists, the new CITES listing includes an annotation exempting instruments brought across international boundaries for noncommercial purposes—as long as they contain less than 10 kilograms (or about 22 pounds) of the newly protected rosewood species.

How has the Rosewood law impacted Taylor Guitars?

Bob Taylor, co-founder of Taylor Guitars, says the new rules have had many impacts on his company, which exports tens of thousands of guitars a year. As of mid-February, Taylor could not obtain rosewood from India or transfer rosewood between its factory in California and its Mexican facility.

Should Rosewood be listed under CITES?

U.S. Fish and Wildlife officials have been extraordinarily helpful, Colesanti says. But he notes that the European Union complicated the situation by also requiring an import permit for rosewood products—something not mandated by CITES. Still, despite the changes, Martin supports the new listing. “We’re a 184-year-old company.