Keeping the Green:

Guitar making can be a somewhat wasteful practice, especially for a night owl. I made the decision in 2008 to do something responsible for my future and to make up for the midnight oil I like to burn. I had solar panels installed on my roof and I have reduced my energy costs to 25% of what they used to be.

The Lacey Act:

On April 1st, 2010, the 2008 Farm Bill amendments to the 100 year old Lacey act will go into effect for musical instruments. It has been many years since I have purchased any back woods, so what this will mean for me and my clients I do not know yet. I have always been careful to collect woods and materials from reliable retail sources with a commitment to ethical logging and importing practices, and with the exception of top woods from Italy and Germany, I do not import woods myself. I have also been happy to collect pieces from retired luthiers. There is sure to be a period of upheaval as agencies figure out how to enforce the act and which parts need enforcing. I am deeply committed to non-exploitation of natural resources, and as anyone who has talked to me about my preference for woods and materials knows, I purposely do not purchase woods that come from places where exploitation is common.

What will we do going forward? I don't know yet. Our own Luthiers Mercantile is working diligently to understand the regulations as is NAMM. My reading of everything I can get my hands on has raised more questions than answers. The main change will be in documentation and declaration.

I am pleased that our main supplier of shell materials for inlay is and has been compliant and has generously compiled information for luthiers who need to understand how to export their guitars. Here is what Chuck Erickson (The Duke of Pearl) had to say:

"As the major supplier of all things nacreous, we can assure everyone that none of the shells offered are controlled, banned, endangered, listed, or protected and they’re all openly brought in under our U.S. Fish & Wildlife Import/Export Permit."

What I suggest for traveling musicians is to leave the beloved Brazilian rosewood guitars at home and think about commissioning a "safe wood" compliant instrument devoid of shell embellishments. Building new instruments with tone and mojo is what custom guitar makers do, and as has been demonstrated throughout time, it's the luthier, not the wood that matters. Jimmi has been gathering new materials and ideas for inlay projects and we're excited about possibilities.

Some Helpful (or not so helpful) Links:

www.cbp.gov

www.aphis.usda.gov

www.namm.org

www.eia-global.org

pdf.wri.org

acousticmusic.org



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