Posted on March 4, 2022March 5, 2024 by Dale Phillips Rosewood and Ebony Shortage Rosewood and Ebony Shortage by Robert O. Larson Originally published in Guild of American Luthiers Quarterly, Volume 8 ,#1, 1980 Note: Mr. Larson is President of VIKWOOD LTD., a large American Importer of rosewood, ebony, and spruce. He is a member of the Forest Products Research Society and has served as Tropical Woods Committee Chairman and is currently on the Mid-West Board of Directors. Innumerable articles have been written during the past year concerning the extreme shortage of rosewood and ebony supplies for the luthier trade. Having just returned in November from my second trip to India in 1979, I am happy to report that the situation is not as glum as it appears from the articles in the trade journals. There are adequate supplies of rosewood and ebony logs and a large number of competent log converters who can supply dimensioned items such as backs and sides, fingerboards, and even machined bridges in goodly quantity. Become A Member to Continue Reading This Article This article is part of our premium web content offered to Guild members. To view this and other web articles, join the Guild of American Luthiers. Members also receive 4 annual issues of American Lutherie and get discounts on products. For details, visit the membership page. If you are already a member, login for access or contact us to setup your account.
