U.S. govt officials raid Gibson instrument factory

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  • BadeMillsap
    Senior Member
    • Dec 2005
    • 868
    • Bulverde, Texas, USA.
    • Grizzly G1023SL
    #1

    U.S. govt officials raid Gibson instrument factory

    In case you hadn't heard ... the U.S. govt recently raided the Gibson factory in Tennessee. The apparent contention is that Gibson is unlawfully importing raw materials from Madagascar ... the attached link is 14+ minute audio interview with the CEO of Gibson and provides some insight into the situation. It's interesting from a woodworker standpoint if nothing else just to alert you to the importance of being sure you know where your materials come from.

    you need to scroll down to the heading UPDATE: CEO outrage
    "Like an old desperado, I paint the town beige ..." REK
    Bade Millsap
    Bulverde, Texas
    => Bade's Personal Web Log
    => Bade's Lutherie Web Log
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    • Tom Slick
      Veteran Member
      • May 2005
      • 2913
      • Paso Robles, Calif, USA.
      • sears BT3 clone
      #2
      When I worked for a guitar manufacturer we had issues getting Rosewood. Apparently it has to come in as a "product" and not a "material" so ours was cut to a certain length and had some shallow slots milled in it.

      It's known in the industry that the CEO of Gibson is a nut case. There may be more to this story than meets the eye.
      Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. - Thomas Edison

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        • BadeMillsap
          Senior Member
          • Dec 2005
          • 868
          • Bulverde, Texas, USA.
          • Grizzly G1023SL
          #3
          Similar issue here regarding fretboards

          Originally posted by Tom Slick
          When I worked for a guitar manufacturer we had issues getting Rosewood. Apparently it has to come in as a "product" and not a "material" so ours was cut to a certain length and had some shallow slots milled in it.
          Basically Gibson's contention is that as far as Madagascar govt is concerned the fretboard blanks Gibson receives are "finished product" ... the issue seems to be the U.S. govt having a different interpretation of Madagascar law than the Madagascar govt does ...
          "Like an old desperado, I paint the town beige ..." REK
          Bade Millsap
          Bulverde, Texas
          => Bade's Personal Web Log
          => Bade's Lutherie Web Log

            Comment

            • Tom Slick
              Veteran Member
              • May 2005
              • 2913
              • Paso Robles, Calif, USA.
              • sears BT3 clone
              #4
              It seems odd to me that the US is enforcing foreign laws with such a reaction.

              I think they raided a piano factory for similar reasons but it's interesting that we aren't hearing about raids on other large guitar manuf. like Fender and Martin. They all use the same woods and those woods only come from the same places.
              Last edited by Tom Slick; 08-28-2011, 12:35 PM.
              Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. - Thomas Edison

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                • leehljp
                  The Full Monte
                  • Dec 2002
                  • 8760
                  • Tunica, MS
                  • BT3000/3100
                  #5
                  The day it happened, I was listening to a radio station in Memphis. The fellows at the station were discussing it and kinda laughing about it. They also discussed how far out this raid was (in their opinion) as compared to what really goes on in illegally in other areas.
                  Hank Lee

                  Experience is what you get when you don't get what you wanted!

                    Comment

                    • LCHIEN
                      Super Moderator
                      • Dec 2002
                      • 21971
                      • Katy, TX, USA.
                      • BT3000 vintage 1999
                      #6
                      Acting in my capacity as Moderator, I deleted three posts in this thread because they touched on politics, in my opinion. You can't lay blame on one party or the other or on conservatives vs liberals or any candidates or officials and don't criticize the government or a party's actions.
                      Can't get much simpler than that. If you think its even questionable as one post suggested, please don't post it.
                      Loring in Katy, TX USA
                      If your only tool is a hammer, you tend to treat all problems as if they were nails.
                      BT3 FAQ - https://www.sawdustzone.org/forum/di...sked-questions

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                        • chopnhack
                          Veteran Member
                          • Oct 2006
                          • 3779
                          • Florida
                          • Ryobi BT3100
                          #7
                          Sorry Loring, I thought I was covered since I had disdain for all parties, didn't realize that criticizing government was taboo. Good to know
                          I think in straight lines, but dream in curves

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