The future of Rosewood fingerboards at Fender

[FenderTalk]

So, I've been reading posts picked up from Music Radar and Anderton's across the pond from here and their declaration that Fender isn't using Rosewood any longer. So, I reached out to FMIC for the straight dope.

Music Radar and Anderton's have stated that MIM Fenders will be Pau Ferro and US models will go to Ebony wood. Turns out this is partially true and partially not so much.

Here's the word from the Fender CEO himself:

Fender is committed to the continued use of Rosewood in American-made solid body guitars, such as our American Professional Series. After actively exploring alternate wood options to Rosewood for selective use on a few US models, we will be transitioning most of our Mexico made product away from rosewood to pau ferro, a fantastic alternate we currently use on the SRV signature strat. The American Elite series is transitioning to ebony fretboards with dealers and our inventories. Rosewood is still used on many series of instruments, as it is a historically accurate tone wood. The changeover will be somewhat fluid in the market, there is no set date at this time.

We are still currently evaluating options for Squier and the acoustics category

FMIC’s specialty brands, Gretsch, Jackson, Charvel and EVH will continue to use Rosewood in both solid body and acoustic models, from all source countries.

Fender is committed as a brand to comply with all CITES regulations and to ensure we are continuing to deliver the best quality and accessible products to our customers and dealers.

- Andy Mooney, CEO Fender

[CustomWes]

Thanks for some clarification from Fender. I had read the Anderson's info today.

[skypeace]

I guess that clears that question up. I have always loved Rosewood but I have just ordered my first guitar with a maple neck. Must always be open to change.

[SAguitar]

Thanks for the update! It's good to know.

[tele savalas]

My son is going off to college and I decided I didn't want him taking my old Gibson J45, so I got him a Tailor GS Mini. They were available with sapele back and sides or rosewood back and sides. I wanted rosewood, and most websites only had the sapele. Went to a shop in Roanoke and they had both so I snatched the rosewood one. The guy told me that was the last one, that the rosewood ones were discontinued because of regulations.

As far as fretboards go, there are adequate substitutes like pau ferro, but acoustic guitars will never be the same if rosewwod becomes unavailable.

[StudioMike]

My J50 clone differs from the original in that it has old rosewood for the back and sides (the luthier had been saving them"for something special") instead of mahogany. I guess I was lucky to get it.

[tele savalas]

Yes you were! My J45 has nice tone but no volume. I would LOVE for it to be rosewood instead of mahogany!

[StudioMike]

It's an amazing guitar... all that Gibson mid growl is there when you lay in, but it's louder and has a more sparkling top end than the 1960 J50 it was modeled after (I owned that guitar back in the 70s).

Why isn't someone developing a stand of US rosewood? Does it not grow here? If it requires tropical climes, why not buy some land in Costa Rica and grow rosewood?