Bob Taylor on the Future of Ebony

[Kadmium]

A fascinating video message from Bob Taylor on the future of ebony.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anCGvfsBoFY

 

[line6man]

Quite frankly, I don't see why it matters if Ebony is streaky or solid black, in a mass production environment where they can just rub some dye over the fretboards.  :dontknow:

 

[SustainerPlayer]

Thanks for sharing.

I prefer it streaky. And that's a taste I had before it was political correct too.

 

[ezas]

Great find . . .

Did anyone else cheer when he said "I say we can . . ."

What a story Bob Taylor and Taylor guitars is and the influence they have had on the guitar making industry.

 

[JCizzle]

As long as it stays put and holds the frets in...

 

[line6man]

Thanks for sharing.

I prefer it streaky. And that's a taste I had before it was political correct too.

Depends what kind of streaks. Grey is always ugly to me, but tan can be amazing or hideous, depending on the way it's figured, and in what application the wood is being used.

 

[Ddbltrbl]

Thanks for sharing.

I prefer it streaky. And that's a taste I had before it was political correct too.

+1  :icon_thumright:

 

[Updown]

Mmmmm ... that was interesting  :icon_thumright:

Nothing wrong with streaks  :icon_biggrin:

 

[StogiePatriot]

Mmmmm ... that was interesting  :icon_thumright:

Nothing wrong with streaks  :icon_biggrin:

That is a most excellent piece of lumber Updown; was it luck or choice?  (Either is good; just curious)

 

[Updown]

Thanks ...
It was Luck  :blob7:  .... was bought off the showcase  :toothy12:
Just added SS frets a & graph tech nut.
The best part is, it's on Pau-Ferro  :icon_thumright:
Other pic's here ... http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=17934.0
And here ... http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=19269.0

 

[swarfrat]

I wish that all environmental crusades were so well reasoned and balanced with reality. I'm all for good stewardship, just not animism dressed up in modern clothes. I'll extend Bob's monologue a bit further though, and suggest that dying ebony is counter productive to getting people to accept the new reality. Even good quality Ebony has color variation. :shock: Or, as my 8th grade shop teacher said, when one of the students rejected a board because 'it had a crack in it." He said "Son! You was born with a crack!, and yo momma and daddy didn't throw you back!"

 

[Ddbltrbl]

Gee, Updown! That looks a little bit like mine!  ccasion14:

:rock-on:

 

[Updown]

:icon_thumright: .....  From the same tree .... :laughing7:

You been hiding that one, can just see the body.

WOW, I'm getting excited  :blob7:

 

[StogiePatriot]

Well, both necks are dead sexy and my MOG Warmoth creation will be pau ferro on figured maple....  Now I'm getting the shakes again (Pre-UPS Shuuda Shown Yesterday) - I won't acronym it for fear of the censors.. :icon_jokercolor:

 

[Cagey]

All good, and especially so for Bob, who as 75% owner of all exportable Ebony from the last place it's available from is now going to have a pretty tight grip on the short and curlies of the vast majority of Ebony users.

It's good to be king!​

 

[line6man]

Mmmmm ... that was interesting  :icon_thumright:

Nothing wrong with streaks  :icon_biggrin:

That's Macassar, which has very different streaking than what shows up in Gaboon. The figure in Macassar tends to be more pleasing to the eye.

In any case, can't argue with some good tan stripes on the right fretboard. I opted for this fretboard from the gallery, instead of a solid black piece of Gaboon, and I coud not be happier with the vibe it gives the instrument.

 

[StogiePatriot]

That's Macassar, which has very different streaking than what shows up in Gaboon. The figure in Macassar tends to be more pleasing to the eye.

In any case, can't argue with some good tan stripes on the right fretboard. I opted for this fretboard from the gallery, instead of a solid black piece of Gaboon, and I coud not be happier with the vibe it gives the instrument.

Zowie gee line6man; that last guitar is a dead ringer for the one that's being finished (hopefully) now inside Central Warmoth command.  Pre-delivery shakes are comin' back; better go get the steroids (feel better kind not get bigger/smaller nads kind)

 

[stubhead]

I read this as a major kick in the nuts to Gibson, who were indeed buying wood in Madagascar - where you can't buy it legally. And Bob Taylor is doing something about it, rather than throwing up some ridiculous smokescreen to try to change the subject of wood-smuggling into something else entirely. And it does point out how poorly information is translated - the Cameroonians were leaving 90% of the ebony to rot, because no one told them that the streaky stuff is good. When the CITES Act made it illegal to trade Brazilian rosewood in 1992, the villagers said "oh FINE then!" - and burned it down.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

Thanks for sharing.

I prefer it streaky. And that's a taste I had before it was political correct too.

That's one interpretation.  Mine was that both are now the same price.  A consequence is that comparatively, the price of the A grade stuff has gone down because it is now the same.price as the B grade stuff but availability of the A grade stuff is still 10%.  Even though he effectively controls 75% of the legal market, are his selling prices for both grades identical?  What about the resellers (ahem!) that buy from him and resell?  So the price of the more sought after stuff has to go up, and the cycle now continues.

I do however applaud his consciousness and responsibility, but he ain't no spring chicken.  The hope is that the tradition continues in his absence.

 

[Ddbltrbl]

:icon_thumright: .....  From the same tree .... :laughing7:

You been hiding that one, can just see the body.

WOW, I'm getting excited  :blob7:

Actually, I used this neck in a prior build shown here.
I built it for a friend that later decided he wanted to swap it out for a little lighter maple neck.
So know I'm deep in thought on what to do with this neck. Maybe an LPS?  :dontknow:
Any suggestions?
:guitarplayer2: