right I get what your saying but.... I'm not talking about ebony I am talking about african blackwood. I think you were missing my point .African blackwood was and has been used for bagpipes exclusively as far back as 1200's maybe more. I speak strictly about the bagpiping world on that.And not the what's happening "now" reason for wood shortages. That's what I was trying to explain to you. "Ebony was not the preffered wood for bagpipe manufacturers".Although it has been used . And the reason I gave for them hoarding their stock is what I was told by top pipers and Some manufacturers/artisans ......anyway off topic. G'nite