Pernambuco (Paubrasilia echinata) has a fascinating history that goes back centuries. Portuguese explorers discovered this remarkable wood in 1500 when they arrived in Brazil. They found the tree yielded a brilliant red dye that became incredibly valuable for the textile industry. The Portuguese named it "pau brasil," meaning "ember wood" because of its intense red color.
This wood was so important that it gave Brazil its name. The tree became the country's national symbol.
For over 250 years, Pernambuco has been the gold standard for bow making. French bow maker François Xavier Tourte discovered its perfect properties in the 18th century. The wood's unique combination of density, flexibility, and strength made it unmatched for creating responsive, expressive bows.
But here's the problem: Pernambuco only grows in a very specific area of Brazil's Atlantic coast, from São Paulo in the south to the northeast. It doesn't grow in the Amazon like many people think. This limited growing region, combined with centuries of harvesting for dyes, construction, and bow making, has pushed the species to endangered status.
In November 2025, 184 countries will meet in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, for a decision that could end Pernambuco bow trading forever. Brazil formally asked the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in June 2024 to transfer Pernambuco from Appendix II to Appendix I, which would effectively prohibit commercial international trade in the species.
Why Banning of Pernambuco Wood Matters to Every String Player
As a professional bassist who has performed with orchestras, I've seen how the right bow transforms your sound. But right now, our entire bow-making tradition faces an unprecedented threat.
Let me be direct about what this means. An Appendix I listing would make the buying and selling of new and existing Pernambuco bows banned, and musicians traveling across borders would require a Musical Instrument Certificate or CITES Permit to take a Pernambuco bow abroad.
Think about your current bow. If you perform internationally or even travel across state lines for competitions, you might need documentation proving your bow's legal origin. Most antique bows, as well as modern bows, cannot be certified, proving that they are not illegal, according to Texas-based luthier Steven Cundall.
The numbers tell a sobering story. Less than 7% of the Atlantic forest, where Pernambuco grows, remains today due to its use for dye manufacture, construction, flooring, and bow making. Brazilian authorities estimate that the majority of Pernambuco bows and bow blanks sold over the past 25 years came from illegal sources.
The Part That Affects Us Most
I support conservation efforts. As musicians, we have a responsibility to protect the resources that make our art possible. But the Boston-based Pernambuco Chamber Ensemble noted in their public comment that "it is not reasonable to require documentation over 250 years of bows" and that "obtaining CITES permits would create unworkable restrictions on travel for musicians".
The listing would mean having to obtain administrative documents waiving the ban for each of the bows already in existence, and for each stage, including purchase, sale, restoration, and travel. Imagine the bureaucracy every time you want to sell a bow or travel for a performance.
What Led Us Here
A Federal Police superintendent in Espírito Santo, the center of Brazil's bow manufacturing industry, said, "It is more profitable to sell our wood than to sell cocaine. It is an absurd profit and a much lower risk". This illegal trade drove Brazil to seek the strictest protections possible.
Since February 23, 2023, new rules require CITES permits for all Pernambuco wood, the first time it is exported from Brazil, including finished bows. But Brazil wants to go further with a complete trade ban.
The Solution Here
Here's what I've learned through my career: adaptation drives innovation. When I studied at the Curtis Institute with Edgar Meyer and Hal Robinson, they taught me to embrace all styles of music. That same openness applies to our tools.
Carbon fiber technology has evolved dramatically. Modern carbon fiber bows are incredibly stable, won't warp, are difficult to break, and won't react much to changes in temperature or humidity. For someone like me who performs in different venues and climates, this consistency matters.
Carbon fiber is five times stronger than steel and allows manufacturers to make bows that are very consistent in weight, balance, and feel. This consistency means you know exactly what to expect from your bow every time you perform.
Why I Choose Carbon Fiber Bow
As a bassist who incorporates cultural, national, and folk music into classical repertoire, I need tools that work everywhere. Carbon fiber bows offer freedom.
As deforestation continues, many musicians may no longer be interested in being associated with Pernambuco, despite its fine qualities, especially now that suitable alternatives are available. I'm one of those musicians who chose to make the switch early.
Carbon fiber is five times stronger than steel, yet lighter than traditional wood. With intentional design from button to tip, modern carbon fiber bows can deliver rich tonality and high-quality acoustics.
The Fiesta Carbon Fiber bow represents this new reality. It combines advanced materials science with musical sensibility. You get the responsiveness and control you need. It's the bow I trust for my most important performances, and now it's available to fellow musicians who demand the same level of excellence.
Looking Forward
The 20th CITES Conference in November 2025 will be decisive for Pernambuco's future. Musicians worldwide are watching and waiting. But we don't have to wait to make smart choices.
I've built my career on making music that connects with people across all boundaries. The bow in my hand should enhance that connection, not complicate it with legal concerns.
My Final Thoughts
I've trusted carbon fiber bows for over 20 years because they've never failed me.
The Pernambuco debate will continue. Conservation efforts will evolve. Regulations might change again. But none of that has to limit your artistic growth.
Check out the “Fiesta” Carbon Fiber Double Bass French Bow and see for yourself why I've made it my weapon of choice. More importantly, you'll have one less thing to worry about as you pursue your musical goals.
The future of bow making is already here.