The new issue of "Fretboard Journal," Fall 2008, has a feature on Brazillian rosewood and its allure for musical instrument players. Included in this fascinating piece, is an article on CITES and what it means for players traveling with instruments which may or may not contain CITES controlled species, such as Brazillain rosewood, abalone inlays, or anything tortoise shell. I would encourage all players to familiarize themselves with this information. Even returning them to the factory for repair work can be perilous, apparently.

And Dale, you might want to leave that beautiful new maple D at home when you fly.

Jim
BSOB '07

Bureaucratic hyperbole has the unfortunate effect of making people overly cautious and even scared. If the truth be told, Customs at most major ports of entry couldn't tell the difference between mahogany and Braz, tortoiseshell and plastic. Now, if you were to come in on Air Colombia with a live snow leopard with a couple of kees of blow strapped to its back they may, may take notice. Wasn't it Father Guido Sarducci on the SNL of old being waived through Customs with a bag full of white powder? Upshot: don't be too concerned travelling with your Braz/tortoise/ivory.

This topic comes up from time to time on the bagpiping board I participate on. The problem seems to me that the CITES restrictions are often administered in an inconsistent, unpredictable way. Folks will be hauling their pre-CITES ivory-mount pipes through customs and baggage handling and the occasional inspector will make a big deal out of it, delay them, demand "papers", and possibly confiscate their equipment until some kind of determination is made that they are OK. This can sometimes take multiple hours to sort out, and in some cases worse scenarios have resulted in longer delays.

I presume this pertains to international travel. We had to put off our annual world tour for the 38th consecutive year. If CITES is like the tax code, no one- I mean no. one.- can understand it, much less comply with it. How in the he@# can you know if the wood from which a post CITES guitar is made was pre-CITES? Some Brazilian stocks have been stashed for decades. Some wood (DeJonge comes to mind) have been gleaned from beams in old (like 150 year old) houses. So, of all the things screwed up in this ever more screwed up world to worry about, this doesn't even make my list. Other trivia- will me pension fund have money a year from now, or six months from now; will Social Security have any money; will my wife and I be able to cling to our house- you know, those ephemeral issues that the "whining" Americans who are "imagining" the recession think about some times. sorry. coal chute. Long Live Bill. and Guido Sarducci wasa onea funnya guy, I'ma tella you. tom

Unfortunately Tom, CITES answers your question ("How in the he@# can you know) very simply, at least from what I've read on the subject. It puts the burden on YOU to show (by their definition of proper proof) that it's pre-CITES. Not fair IMHO, but simple for THEM. In other words, you prove it or you risk losing it. Can you imagine the Alien being reduced to firewood....

Orwell was an optimist, I believe the saw goes. So, so we carbon date our brazilian back and sides? This is beyond preposterous. It's almost entertaining. Suffice it to say the Alien will travel by land only, and not far at that. I need a drink... tom

How about some 25 year old Macallan scotch? It's pre-CITES, according to the label...that "proof" might not satisfy customs but it sure works for me

Talk about carrying coals to Newcastle, a year or so ago I bought a gorgeous Braz/German 000H Collings from a guy in Liverpool (as in England) and had it shipped to Dallas (how 'bout them Cowboys?!! Sorry. Hangover from yesterday)). No papers. No questions. No problem.

CITES' rules seem to be enforced more stringently if you're shipping large quantities. Or, of course, if you happen to bring in a live animal or animal product in it's natural state. A whole Hawksbill turtle shell for example. If you have a Victorian tortoiseshell box they couldn't give a fig.

The popular misconception is that CITES explicitly bans trans-border shipment of things. No. If you want to take the trouble to get indigenous permission (expensive) and get the authorities to sign the papers (expensive) you can bring in practically anything. For example, a friend facilitated a certain Middle Eastern person to get a Harpy eagle from Amazonia. Totally kosher deal with CITES' blessing. Cost for that bundle of feathers:$1 mil. Lessee...10 Walkers, 20 Borges, a bushel of Olsons, a peck of Collings, and a grande pumpkin mocha soy skinny latte.

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How about some 25 year old Macallan scotch?

Tom F, you just sold that Van Gogh? If this is your daily tipple, sir, I salute you.

Alas, never had the pleasure of the 25. I have to content myself with the 12 when I'm feeling Scottish.... but we can all live the dream here at the friendly Collings Forum The Braz/Adi OM out on the deck, the sun sets as Elizabeth Hurley in her prime brings me the 25.... cue the fireworks. Yeah Baby!!!

Tom F. wrote:

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The Braz/Adi OM out on the deck, the sun sets as Elizabeth Hurley in her prime brings me the 25.... cue the fireworks. Yeah Baby!!!

That's the dream alright -- then there's the flipside nightmare -- finally arriving at the Ankara Int'l Airport after 7 months in prison (Hurley wasn't there, but there was a hairy, fat guy who liked to pretend he was Hurley -- where'd he get that lipstick?) for, among other things, "aggravated possession of tortoise-shell pick", then passing your former Braz/Adi OM in a display case of "Examples of Cites-Prohibited Items Confiscated by Turkish Customs" . . .

Then finally getting back home, cracking open a Miller Lite and playing your EIR/Sitka OM (no fossilized walrus ivory bridge pins) -- with a Dunlop nylon pick. No fireworks tonight, cancelled by the rain . . .

Redavide, now that's pretty funny, inspired even. Molto Bene

PS: Mama mia! Were those PLASTIC bridge pins on that EIR/Sitka OM?