Exotic Woods

To help Members better understand and comply with the upcoming April 1, 2010 deadline of the Lacey Act, NAMM will host an informative, free Webinar on March 15 at 9 a.m. PDT. The Webinar will be moderated by Mary Luehrsen, NAMM's director of public affairs and government relations who will be joined by Jim Goldberg of Goldberg Associates and NAMM's legislative counsel for the music products industry and Juge Gregg, associate at Washington office of Sidley & Austin, who will address Lacey Act enforcement concerns.  The webinar will also address regulation rules and compliance.   Any NAMM Members are invited to participate.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued guidance making it easier for companies which import instruments made prior to 2008 to file the import declaration form required by the Lacey Act.

APHIS’ Form PPQ 505 requires disclosure of genus and species and country of harvest for all wood contained in imported pianos and other string (but not electric) instruments.

Fritz Kollitz is an expert on woods used for musical instruments and has gained an international reputation for his knowledge and service to violin and guitar luthiers alike. As the founder of Fritz Kollitz: Fine Tone Woods, he has played an important role in the growing awareness and education of the global concern over the limited supplies of some rare woods sought for instrument making. In the early 2000s Fritz handed over the company to his son, but can still be seem at trade shows and the Musikmesse talking to dealers and friends from around the world.

Vijay Talwar’s father sold wood in India, and when Vijay began working for his father as a teenager they noticed an increase in the amount of wood being sold to make musical instruments. After researching the desired woods and cuts, Vijay and other vendors took part in the development of the violin parts industry within India. He watched the demand grow and took part in discovering the woods and later the crafted parts that would be send all around the world.
 

Kazuo Yairi is one of the most renowned guitar luthiers in Japan. His long career began as a child when he watched his father building unique handcrafted instruments for local students and musicians. The company expanded under Yairi-san's leadership to include several new models, but always with the tradition of his father and his own background in mind. For example, he has not made any electric guitars even though he has been asked many times. He feels it is important to stay with what you know and what you enjoy, and he very much enjoyed building acoustic guitars. His shop has also developed several noted luthiers over the years, many of whom have been working for him for more than 30 years!