Sorry for the overly dramatic headline, but this does deserve some attention if you like rosewood fretboards on your guitars (built or purchased), as I do.
Basically, certain species of Rosewood, from specific geographical areas, have been added to the CITES list of endangered species.
What is CITES? https://cites.org/eng/new_CITES_trad...tarts_02012017
Now, there is a lot of chatter among customers, manufacturers and suppliers alike, and it seems that nobody really knows for sure what is going on. Especially the Chinese.
I have done some pretty thorough research and this is what I can tell you with some confidence...
The rosewood that has been protected (as endangered species should be) is predominantly from South American regions, where it is, indeed, endangered. It is rosewood you would find in very high end furniture... and guitar fretboards.
The Rosewood on our kits is from India and Indonesia, and is NOT on the CITES list.
However, to Import/Export ANY rosewood, the manufacturer, supplier and retailer (eg Pit Bull Guitars) will need to include an approved Certificate that will accompany the goods. In our case, we need approval from the Federal Dept of Ag (who I have to say have been extremely understanding and very helpful).
In our case, the Certificate will declare, honestly, that our Rosewood is not from an included species or region and has been harvested before the commencement of the CITES inclusion in February this year.
In short, there is nothing for our customers to worry about, we just have to negotiate the complex Certificate regime when it does start to become an issue here in Australia and the countries we regularly ship to.
Interestingly, this "Rosewood Panic" has opened a door to look at rosewood alternatives, when it was (incorrectly) thought that all rosewood would be banned.
Introducing... Blackwood.
In China, they are calling this "copy rosewood" (and "copy ebony" for the darker variety).
It is not synthetic... it is real wood, but it has been "treated" (don't ask me) in some manner as to give the appearance, structural integrity and feel of Rosewood... with a view that it may be used as a Rosewood substitute... if it every did get to that stage.
AND... we have just received some samples!
It does actually look pretty good... even better than the genuine Rosewood and Ebony fretboards we have had from our supplier.
I would like to distribute these 4 samples to you builders, so we can get some carefully considered feedback.
If you're interested in this issue and you're in a position where you could thoroughly test the Blackwood... even building a neck with the Blackwood as the fretboard, please let me know and we will send you a sample. International builders please apply (that means you Simon B.)
We really want to know how it handles in the build process and how it feels when actually playing.
I think this will be important research and I predict a lot of people (including manufacturers and suppliers) will be watching this and will be keen to hear what YOU think.
Let us know here if you're up for it and we will help to make it happen.
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