Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Just read a quick article in an environmental mag that my aunt subscribed me to (it's so-so, but probably not worth the paper they kill trees to print it on), and it mentioned that Taylor, Fender, Gibson, Ibanez, Yamaha, and other guitar manufacturers have made a pact to preserve "tonewoods" such as maple, rosewood, Sitka spruce, etc.

But I was just wondering, hasn't RIC been environmentally friendly for a very long time? Once again I think they got overlooked because they didn't have a big corporate press conference about the good things they were doing (not that they should have to).

Can anyone elaborate on RIC's history with the environmentally-conscious movement?

I can only speak based on what I've read in catalog copy, and from discussing this briefly with John Hall.

RIC is committed to only using renewable resources where tonewoods are concerned. That much can be gathered from copy on their website.

A personal anecdote: A couple of years back, I received an inquiry from a good friend and customer, known personally to both John Hall and myself, about the possibility of building a 700 jumbo acoustic from koa. I relayed this request to John for permission, and he replied that unless the specific batch of koa was certified as coming from a logging operation practicing sustainable methods, he would not approve building of such a guitar. I have a friend in Hawaii who provides me with all the koa I might need from his own land, but he's not certified and I've not investigated further on this.

This does indicate a personal commitment on the part of RIC management to encourage the practice of sustainable logging.

jingle_jangle wrote:A personal anecdote: A couple of years back, I received an inquiry from a good friend and customer, known personally to both John Hall and myself, about the possibility of building a 700 jumbo acoustic from koa. I relayed this request to John for permission, and he replied that unless the specific batch of koa was certified as coming from a logging operation practicing sustainable methods, he would not approve building of such a guitar. I have a friend in Hawaii who provides me with all the koa I might need from his own land, but he's not certified and I've not investigated further on this.

I really, really appreciate that attitude in JH. It's refreshingly considerate toward the community of life.

jingle_jangle wrote:This does indicate a personal commitment on the part of RIC management to encourage the practice of sustainable logging.

Props to JH on this one.

+1!

That's really nice to know. Good for RIC and John for this news.

wints wrote:

jingle_jangle wrote:This does indicate a personal commitment on the part of RIC management to encourage the practice of sustainable logging.

Props to JH on this one.

+1

I have the feeling that if you want one of those "Hunk of Tree Trunk" looking basses from some of those other manufacturers, you'd better get it somewhat soon.

rickenbrother wrote:

wints wrote:

jingle_jangle wrote:This does indicate a personal commitment on the part of RIC management to encourage the practice of sustainable logging.

Props to JH on this one.

+1

I have the feeling that if you want one of those "Hunk of Tree Trunk" looking basses from some of those other manufacturers, you'd better get it somewhat soon.

I know what you mean! They may become a thing of the past, but if they're endangering the biodiversity of our natural ecosystems, they're not worth it!

Yeah... that's a slogan kids can get behind!