Feds raid Gibson Factory

[pamlicojack]

http://www.newschannel5.com/global/story.asp?s=11523068

Not good...

[Pilgrim]

Would you say the feds gave Gibson a giant woody in public? 

[Rhythm N. Bliss]

Guess this is gonna hold up production of that zabinga ax Uwe ordered. 

[Highlander]

Wood ya believe it... 

[Dave W]

The wood in question is madagascar rosewood. And from reading this article it's unclear to me whether or not it's illegal.

[jmcgliss]

Sounds like another case of tattletale terrorism.

[Chris P.]

I think Gibson has worse problems that that. I know banks wanted to sell the company to Peavey, but they were asking too much money. And more brands are in problems. I heard rumours about some other brands too, but I don't know if I can post that here.

[eb2]

I suspect a lot of guitar companies are having big headaches these days, especially the larger ones that built up over the last 20 years on easy lines of credit. 

But I would not be surprised if this turns out to be a load of crap: if Gibson has purchase orders and import tariff documentation, then someone would have to prove that the Gibson brass was in cahoots with the lumber companies in Madagascar.  If they are, then everyone else is, and I doubt that.  Seizing the wood and guitars sounds like tattletale terrorists, or not greasing the right fed, or both.

[Dave W]

Remember that Gibson is part of the Rainforest Alliance and Henry J is very big into using sustainable woods. It's hard for me to believe that the company would do this deliberately, if they did it at all.

[Barklessdog]

Remember that Gibson is part of the Rainforest Alliance and Henry J is very big into using sustainable woods. It's hard for me to believe that the company would do this deliberately, if they did it at all.

I wood have to agree with Dave 

It would be bad for their image as well as big companies usually do not like to take chances on the possibilities of big repercussions.

[uwe]

Man, I really want a Custom Shop TB with that bookmatched "Impounded by US Police" stamp on the West African rary wood top!!! Those things will be real expensive. First 100 issues will come with a free mug shot of Henry J. Tending the garden at the Tennessee State Penitentiary to become a better man of course ("Hey, boss, may I water the flowers some more?"). Prison carpentry might me a good idea too ...("Henry, watch that saw ... we can't have any more deaths here ...").

Sounds like vengeful whistleblowing/libel by a fired employee to me.

[TBird1958]

Nothing like a prison shower scene 

[tom grossheider]

Fender did it..... 

[Dave W]

Fender did it..... 

If it were a competitor, my guess would be PRS.   

[nofi]

i don't think fender worries about anybody concerning bass sales at least. i do wonder if tacoma will still be making stuff, though.