The Chetboard

here's a little more information...

ebony

http://www.thewoodbox.com/data/wood/ebony-info.htm

As a result of unsustainable harvesting, many species yielding ebony are now considered threatened. Africa in particular has had most of its indigenous ebony cut down illegally and as such it has become common for street traders to color lighter woods black with shoe polish in an effort to make a sale.

I don't think this link has been posted here yet. There is a video on the page with interview of George Gruhn
http://www.wsmv.com/news/21641962/detail.html

I think Gruhn may be correct in his assumption. And that is that the new government in Madagascar (source of the questionalbe ebony) may be corrupt snd allowing poaching of their ebony in return for kickbacks.

A lot of people don't like Henry J. but he is well known in enviromental circles and I have no doubt that Gibson and Martin and the other companies that buy exotic woods have clear documentation as to their sources. If this is the case they should at least be able to avoid fines but it is an expensive proposition for all concerned.

If Gibson does not have proper documentation then we have a problem... That's also a possibility.

Time will tell...