Thanks for your detailed reply Michael. I guess some companies - and I'm sure there are many, which condone woodchipping and other uses on a non sustainable basis, which are the real vandals, and not the humble luthier. Its unfortunate that the market (and therefore $$$) which appears to be the only real regulation for the purchase of rainforest timbers. Perhaps I am wrong but I understand the Amazon still undergoes enormous removal of prime timbers which continue to be illegally logged. I do recall a thread on this list discussing alternative materials including plastics ( frightening thought isn't it!) to curb the ever diminishing supply of rare woods. Regards, Michael.
Michael Thames <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Dear Michael, In this day and age, I think cutting down any tree whether endangered, or not, is a crime. However, some crimes are more serious than others. This from a self confessed criminal. The only thing stopping me from buying up all the Brazilian rosewood I can is the price, and whats worse than cutting down Brazilian rosewood, is cutting down Yew wood, the longest living tree on the planet, with the exception of maybe a couple others. I don't know how it is in Canada and further north of New Mexico, but every pine tree here has been killed by the pine beetle, and scientist here predict it will only get worse and spread further north, as the planet warms. I've witnessed this myself and have seen this spread to the higher elevations were it will affect spruce as well. I can live without Brazilian rosewood, but simply can do without spruce. I hope this is not happening in Europe. Michael Thames Luthier www.ThamesClassicalGuitars.com Site design by Natalina Calia-Thames ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael Stitt" To: Sent: Wednesday, December 17, 2003 8:52 PM Subject: The ecological sustainable lute & luthier > Dear all, > > Just after reading the lute doctor I just wondered what the state of play is for luthiers these days. Have we come to a point where woods used for the construction of lutes and historical based instruments are using ecologically sustainable timbers? By this I mean timbers which have been grown and distributed based on best practise, sustainable principles. I believe that my 1971 lute constructed from Brazilian rose wood - the wood being an endangered timber, and becoming a rarity for instrument construction. Is this true? Any passionate thoughts about this subject? I acknowledge it must be quite a dilemma for those luthiers who genuine ethical regard for the environment. > > Regards, > > Michael Stitt > > > > > > --------------------------------- > Do you Yahoo!? > New Yahoo! Photos - easier uploading and sharing > -- --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? New Yahoo! Photos - easier uploading and sharing --
