Nashville, Tenn.—Approximately one year after Gibson Guitar was raided here for violating the Lacey Act, CEO Henry Juszkiewicz says the ebony and 
rosewood was sourced in compliance with the laws of the Madagascar. The fingerboards on the front of a guitar’s neck were said to be made of irresponsibly sourced exotic wood but Juszkiewicz said the components arrived in the U.S. as finished products.
“Finished isn’t an English dictionary term; it’s a legal term in Madagascar. It’s defined, and the law specifically defines a fingerboard blank as a finished good,” Juszkiewicz said. “It’s not illegal. It’s not illegal under Madagascar law. You can’t argue with the facts.”
A cutter in Madagascar has been criminally charged in relation to the offense and Gibson has stopped sourcing wood from Madagascar.
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