onewilyfool Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 Are there any Current Gibson's being made with Ebony Fretboard and Bridge? All black ebony seems to be VERY scarce these days…..I wonder if we are witnessing the end of it as a material for guitars? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 I dont think Gibson or Martin are using Ebony.. from what I read somewhere.. Taylor Cornered the market on Ebony.. I dont think Martin or Gibson would be buying from Taylor.. the product which( Im not sure what its called) I have heard though is every bit as good as Ebony that Martin and Gibson is using.. Celliolite? I think thats the name.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onewilyfool Posted January 28, 2015 Author Share Posted January 28, 2015 MARTIN must have an incredible stash, even their standard D-18's have Ebony now…..I see Taylor is using Ebony with light graining patterns in their Ebony now…..You hear so many things…Ebony, Sitka, Koa, etc. All running out, I don't know what to believe anymore... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mountainpicker Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 Well, I believe in the scientific method and I believe in scientists (real ones not the politically bought ones) and the ones I've known since 1974 that do field work at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, the ones that collect data and conduct experiments, don't paint a very optimistic picture. Trees disappearing are just the tip of an iceberg so enormous it's almost beyond the scope of human comprehension. Human kind diddles while precious time is slipping away (great song by Van Morrison too). Ebony is the least of our worries. Wait til plants we eat start dropping off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bozz Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 Taylor actually owns and operates an Ebony Mill in Cameroon. In an effort to utilize Ebony more responsibly and sustainably, they are now also using wood that has lighter coloration and streaking. Only a small percentage of ebony trees have black wood. In the days when only pure black Ebony was utilized, 90% of Ebony trees cut down were left to rot where they fell, because they were not black. Bo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onewilyfool Posted January 29, 2015 Author Share Posted January 29, 2015 I had a Firebird that had the Ebony and my L-20 has Ebony, I don't think they are making any more of those, or any other new models?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayyj Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 Currently Gibson are using Richlite in place of Ebony on premium models from Nashville and Memphis such as the ES355 and Les Paul Custom, so it would seem there is a long term problem for Gibson in terms of Ebony supply. Fortunately the majority of historic Gibson models used Rosewood rather than Ebony, and for new models they can use whatever they think works with the model. There are plenty of alternatives - I have a lovely English made acoustic made entirely from reclaimed Pine and Oak, including an Oak fingerboard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuanCarlosVejar Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 Not really .Gibson just isn't interested in using ebony anymore ... They want to be as responsible as they can with the environment .They don't want to keep encouraging the use of ebony .The last model to my knowledge that they used ebony on was in 2012 for the 1930's Golden Era Super Jumbo.Jason Jones(gibson montana) at one point stated that they were looking for alternative materials. If they wanted to they could get the slightly streaked ebony because Bob Taylor says there is 10 times more of that than of the stark black one. JC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 If they wanted to they could get the slightly streaked ebony because Bob Taylor says there is 10 times more of that than of the stark black one. JC I thought you could dye the streaked ebony to mimic the all-black stuff. In fact, I thought they had been doing that for years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveFord Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 JuanCarlosVejar, Is it that Gibson isn't interested in using ebony or is it that they're complying with some sort of agreement following the raid? I don't know the details which is why I'm asking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuanCarlosVejar Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 I thought you could dye the streaked ebony to mimic the all-black stuff. In fact, I thought they had been doing that for years. They might have and yes it can be done JC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuanCarlosVejar Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 JuanCarlosVejar, Is it that Gibson isn't interested in using ebony or is it that they're complying with some sort of agreement following the raid? I don't know the details which is why I'm asking. No it's just that Henry J (the guy who runs gibson) wants gibson to be responsible and have good environmental practices JC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayyj Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 JuanCarlosVejar, Is it that Gibson isn't interested in using ebony or is it that they're complying with some sort of agreement following the raid? I don't know the details which is why I'm asking. This is the bit that interests me, without wishing the thread to get overly political. I'm completely behind the guitar industry looking for alternatives to endangered traditional wood species, and I applaud Gibson for their stated commitment to not using questionable materials, but on the other hand I just don't believe that it isn't possible to source legal, ethically harvested Ebony to use on small runs of historic models. Chris Martin has been vocal in support of the Lacey Act, and Martin pulled out of buying from Madagascar at the first sign that there were potential issues with the way timber was being exported from that country so they have a good track record of acting responsibility in sourcing wood - yet they continue to be able to offer Ebony on reissues of any models that traditionally used it. Taylor have made theif own arrangements and Collings and Santa Cruz aren’t reporting any problems. It's pure speculation on my part but I don't think we know the full story where Gibson and Ebony is concerned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EuroAussie Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 The Songwriter I believe, unless it changed recently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 The last Gibson I've run into with an ebony board was a limited run 2011 ES-335 with P90s. I purchased this guitar new in early 2012, and the serial number indicates that it was made in December of 2011. There probably have been others since then, but to date I haven't come across one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 I thought you could dye the streaked ebony to mimic the all-black stuff. In fact, I thought they had been doing that for years. Pearwood has been done this way for years.. Dobro and National comes to mind.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 Carvin is still using ebony. They have always used ebony almost exclusively. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 Currently Gibson are using Richlite in place of Ebony on premium models.... ... at least on many models, as is Martin, which has apparently gone 'environmental' in a big way. Richlite looks like ebony, and I've read some reasonably good reviews on it, Not unanimous, of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badbluesplayer Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 When Gibson got in trouble with the Government, it was about claims of illegally imported ebony from Madagascar. The Government agreed to defer prosecution on criminal charges and Gibson, in turn, agreed to certain terms that were, in part, confidential. Nobody knows what Gibson agreed to except insiders, but it almost certainly included certain limited restrictions on the use of ebony. My guess is that they may have agreed not to use ebony for a certain period of time as part of the settlement. Maybe five years, maybe ten years, but probably not forever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayyj Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 When Gibson got in trouble with the Government, it was about claims of illegally imported ebony from Madagascar. The Government agreed to defer prosecution on criminal charges and Gibson, in turn, agreed to certain terms that were, in part, confidential. Nobody knows what Gibson agreed to except insiders, but it almost certainly included certain limited restrictions on the use of ebony. My guess is that they may have agreed not to use ebony for a certain period of time as part of the settlement. Maybe five years, maybe ten years, but probably not forever. I agree, this seems like the most likely scenario. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottDinHB Posted July 31, 2019 Share Posted July 31, 2019 Just watched a Video from the 2019 NAMM show at the Gibson Expedition, with Gibson having a new CEO, things change Gibson Spokesperson stated that moving forward that any GIbson Custom will have an Ebony Fingerboard , no more Richlite I just sold my 2017 Les Paul with a Richlite board and bought a Custom Shop SG Les Paul with a Dark Ebony Board. Love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorrisrownSal Posted July 31, 2019 Share Posted July 31, 2019 RIP OWF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted August 1, 2019 Share Posted August 1, 2019 My New L5ces Crimson has ebony for the fingerboard and bridge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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