"How a $300,000 Speaker [and TT and amp] is Made"

[Mr_Zenith]

"How a $300,000 Streaker is Made"

...My lame play on the "Emperor's New Clothes"...

I found the gag about how Martin Guitars uses "Pennsylvania hardwoods" particularly droll. Wow - I wasn't aware that Honduran Mahogany, Brazilian Rosewood and Sitka Spruce were all native to Pennsylvania. I guess I'd better revisit my geography and forestry! 😀

To be fair, most luthiers (that's "guitar makers" to us plebes) are looking more and more to local sources for their tonewoods. Ostensibly it's an attempt at "sustainability", but I suspect the real reason is because supplies of most of the traditional woods are becoming increasingly scarce due to deforestation, CITES, etc.

 

[scott wurcer]

Ostensibly it's an attempt at "sustainability", but I suspect the real reason is because supplies of most of the traditional woods are becoming increasingly scarce due to deforestation, CITES, etc.

Frankly I find deforestation of the rainforest for some narcissistic self indulgence fairly offensive.

 

[Mr_Zenith]

Hi Scott - I agree completely. In fact, if OMA is using locally-sourced hardwoods (e.g. Cherry, Maple, Oak, etc.) then they're likely more sustainable than the luthiers in the grand scheme of things. My chuckle was aimed more at the superficial marketing hype in the video.

And honestly that's why I'm here - so I can learn, build, experiment and enjoy - while putting my $300k to work for my retirement. 🙂

 

[Charles Darwin]

To be fair, most luthiers (that's "guitar makers" to us plebes) are looking more and more to local sources for their tonewoods. Ostensibly it's an attempt at "sustainability", but I suspect the real reason is because supplies of most of the traditional woods are becoming increasingly scarce due to deforestation, CITES, etc.

Me thinks they are trying to avoid situations like Gibson found itself in.

Banned wood scandal over stars' Gibson guitars | World | News | Express.co.uk

Gibson eventually settled out of court for a $300k fine + a $50k donation.

As far as I understood at the time Gibson said they bought certified wood but the paperwork was forged. I do not know how far or if at all Gibson was aware of the forgery.
Either way even a raid that eventually doesn't turn up anything illegal could easily bankrupt an independent luthier.