http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15268169
Iconic US guitar maker Gibson is facing a criminal probe over claims it broke environmental laws while importing wood. So is music the next threat to the world's forests?
"Up here you grow up liking Fenders or you grow up liking Gibsons," says Billy Jack, 55, sat in a Nashville music store eyeing up a trio of shiny new Gibson guitars.
Cradling a $3,800 (£2,413) Gibson Les Paul, Mr Jack, a veteran guitarist, recalls riffs gone by as he explains his fondness for one of rock's iconic instruments.
"You can hear it in your ear. It's how quickly you can run through your chops. It's the tone. You just can't go wrong."
But things have gone wrong. On 28 August federal agents raided Gibson's Nashville and Memphis premises, seizing shipments of Indian rosewood and leaving the venerable guitar maker more than a little off-key.
The agents brandished search warrants issued amid suspicions that Gibson had violated the terms of the Lacey Act, an environmental law that requires imports to the US to comply with laws in the country of origin as well.
It was the second raid on Gibson since the Lacey Act was amended in 2008.
― Mark G, Thursday, 13 October 2011 09:05 (thirteen years ago)
OK.
"Well, I'm standin' next to a rain forest, chop it down with the edge of my axe..."
― Mark G, Thursday, 13 October 2011 09:47 (thirteen years ago)
Looks like I struck out and will have to drag myself to the dug-out like a drop out.
― triple black belt in ILX-fu (snoball), Thursday, 13 October 2011 10:20 (thirteen years ago)