The Wall Street Journal reports that everyone from Gibson Guitar to border-hopping musicians are encountering problems with government agencies over their instruments. If people can’t prove where every part of the instrument originated from, they could have it seized and be slapped with a fine (whether the instrument is factory new or decades old doesn’t matter).
If you are the lucky owner of a 1920s Martin guitar, it may well be made, in part, of Brazilian rosewood. Cross an international border with an instrument made of that now-restricted wood, and you better have correct and complete documentation proving the age of the instrument. Otherwise, you could lose it to a zealous customs agent-not to mention face fines and prosecution.
Gibson is being accused of sourcing wood from illegal vendors, and had to deal with a raid from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Gibson says the allegations are false. Meanwhile, an Atlanta importer who purchased an antique piano couldn’t prove the date of origin for the piano when Customs agents came asking. Despite the fact that it was obviously old, he couldn’t prove ivory keys it contained were also added before it became illegal to do so. He was forced to plead guilty to a misdemeanour and pay $US17,500.
Know your history. When it comes to your instruments, at least. [WSJ]
Brody
Saturday, August 27, 2011 at 11:58 AMThis seems utterly ridiculous. Needing official documents just to transport your instruments? In many cases this just isn’t possible.
For example; i’m the owner of a 1980 Aria Pro II made in Japan in a factory by the name of Matsumoku. As anyone who has an interest in this factory knows, there was a terrible fire in the early-mid 1980′s that caused the shutdown of the factory. Any information on these guitars/what they are made of/when they were made has been culled from old advertisements and personal collections.
My point is, why is the burden placed upon the owner, rather than the manufacturer in this instance. If the owner wasn’t the one harvesting trees, why should they have to pay the price?
Paul
Saturday, August 27, 2011 at 3:18 PMThis is bullshit, it’s the government trying to flex it’s muscles again. Pointlessly aiming their finger at musicians? That’s one of the filthiest things I’ve heard of.
Exactly why should the owner, who is most likely completely oblivious as to where the materials were from pay for such a mistake. Fair enough the company who made it did a wrong, punish them.
Adam
Sunday, August 28, 2011 at 10:47 PMI guess their position is that anyone could have this stuff manufactured today, and fashion it in these manners to transport illegal materials.
Still, it’s ridiculous.