Woods

[funkyjazzjunky]

I have noticed that many fine woods are no longer available: Rosewood, Koa, Bocate.  I have read that other tone-woods such as Wenge & Bubinga are endangered as well.  I love both the beauty and the sound of Koa instruments and regret that it will not be an option when I need to replace my bass at some future point.  
What do you think?

[adriaan]

Besides the sustainability issue, the Wood Bank section is not a complete overview of what Alembic have in stock - presumably it's the premium stock only.
 
I wonder if they still have watermark koa, like on my Spoiler (check my profile).

[bsee]

Who outside of the factory knows the truth, but here's a few more ideas.
 
Maybe they post stuff by demand.  If there's a type of wood you want to use for a confirmed project, give them a call.  Describe what you're looking for as best you can and maybe they can put up a few examples for you.
 
Maybe it's like a wine cellar.  They have a bunch of wood there and it's all aging.  There may be things you could drink now, but will be much better in another five years.  All you can do is ask.  Do you want something tonally exceptional in a particular style?  Beautifully figured?  Maybe a unique burl that goes beyond unique?
 
Also, I see koa on eBay and in other places periodically.  The trees still exist and it is available.  If Alembic doesn't have any right now, you could ask them well in advance to get you a piece on some future wood buying expedition.  Either that, or talk to them about what they would want you to do if you hunted up your own wood and had it sent to them.

[David Houck]

I don't know much on the subject, but a quick Google suggests that Koa is being grown commercially in Hawaii.

[mica]

The Wood Bank is something that I want to spend more time on. I've actually got some cool stuff brewing that department, but it's not ready to show off yet.  Only a small fraction of what we have is in the Wood Bank.  
 
I have some lovely Koa (including the watermark Koa Adriaan refers to).

[Bradley Young]

Anyone who has been to the factory can tell you that there are about a gajillion pieces of wood there, including lots of funky, exotic hardwood that hasn't even been bookmatched yet.

[bigredbass]

I'd imagine wood is like anything else:  While there may be a very few types that are now classified as unobtanium, I'm sure FOR A PRICE you can get anything you want.  I'd be surprised if most of the usual suspects aren't at a market price that varies over the course of time as usual.    
 
I've often imagined a pine Fender parts bass, kind of like Bob Taylor's infamous 'pallet guitar':  Would I really hear the difference?
 
J o e y

[jerryme]

Does Alembic have any Brazilian Rosewood?