On Dec 25, 7:22 pm, Tommy Grand wrote:
Brazilian rosewood is a prized material used in crafting fine
classical guitars. However, sources of the wood have all but dried up
and luthiers are growing desperate. I've heard stories of guitars
made out of chopped down castle doors and stolen church pews, to name
a few.

Now plainly, the only materials needed to create rosewood are a seeds,
soil, sunlight, water and time. You have to wait something like a
thousand years for the tree to grow, which is the whole problem. With
modern chemical know-how, can't we find a way to speed up whatever
reaction is involved and create some new wood in say, five years? If
not, tell us whether the barrier is lack of scientific knowledge or
lack of money.

Find a wood with similar density and grain and dye it. As long
as the back and sides look good, they add less than most
people think to the overall sound. Ovation has been selling
fiberglass shelled guitars for what, 40 years? Those instruments
aren't bought for looks.