Official Luthiers Forum!

I'd love to bring a couple of Brazilian rosewood guitars to the show...but I imagine that would not be a great idea, right?

But if one brings a Madagascar or Cambodian rosewood guitar across the border, how does anyone know? I've seen both look dead-nuts like Brazilian... Is it strictly up to the eyes of the customs officials?

I think most guys at the airports wouldn't be able to tell BRW from Bohemian Ragweed. Especially if you fly into Albany or Buffalo and drive up.

There is a test using UV fluorescence of ethanol extracts that can can distinguish D. nigra from D. spruceana, but I'm not sure how many other Dalbergias would be similar/different to one or the other.

It would also require the guys to carve a splinter off your finished instrument.

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The member formerly known as erikbojerik....

I think Amazon rosewood is the best ringer of all.

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Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

And yet I have a set of Amazon that looks absolutely nothing like BRW.
That is of course if it actually IS Amazon. Whatever it is, it's the best set I own bar none as far as glassy tap tone goes. Incredible stuff.

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

The IMS agents all have an old glove that they found in Brazil that they try on the head stock of the guitar. If the glove does not fit - it's not BRW - and they let you cross the border in your white Bronco..........

Rick;
I had some trouble last year going into Canada.
I had to get papers stamped that the guitars were for display only!
AT the border!
Otherwise you will have to pay 16 1/2 percent tax to them!
How do i know this ?
Ask Paul Woolson!
I was approached by a customs official at the show the first day!
he showed me his badge and wanted see my paperwork!
I showed him the paperwork from the border and he told me it only was good IF i didn't sell a guitar!!
he told me he'd be back the last day of the show to see if i had any guitars missing from my table.

I hessitated to sell there !
made arrangements for shipping or pickup at my shop.

The show is so good that it's worth some inconvience -just get all paperwork in order before you cross over !

it's such a great show -to bad a "friendly border" & a world scare of guitarmaking terrorists makes it tough!

Good luck!
mike

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Mike Collins

Rick;
Also Mike Greenfield from Greenfield guitars crosses the bordar all the time and he told me to say it was Coco-or somthing NOT on the list!
How would they really know?
is it worth their time to find a guitar with Brazilian or drugs & guns?

And if they want to take your guitar apart -just say that's great but it will cost ya such & such dollars!

Mike

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Mike Collins

Wasn't Rick leaving for Down Under, on Tuesday?

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Ricks been down under and is now back, you guys will have to stop smuggling Guitars around the World, regards Robert,