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PostPosted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 6:25 am 
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Walnut
Walnut

Joined: Sat Nov 17, 2007 9:36 am
Posts: 13
Location: United States
i just got a fingerboard from the martin factory and i'm wondering how they get their ebony to such a fine black. Since ebony is not perfectly black i know that some people stain or dye it black with leather dye or something. I'm looking to darken my Madagascar Ebony fingerboard but i don't know what method to use. What works the best for you guys?

andrew 


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 7:10 am 
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Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Sun Jul 15, 2007 5:01 am
Posts: 140
Location: United Kingdom
Good ebony should be completly black espesialy if its madagascan.

However the lower grade stuff is very often streaked with grey (anything
over a B grade should be pretty much fine black with out streaks) to
varying degrees.
When you work the wood the streaks will disipate slightly.
when the fingerboard is in service with a light coat of oil they will be no
where near as noticable as when the fingerboard was in its raw state.

you can dye the fingerboards and most of the large factorys do just this
when using low grade fingerboards.
i think stu mac do a good fingerboard dye and have also hear of people
using shoe polish but i have only used higher grade ebony on my own
guitars so i cant comment on this.

i am sure someone else will know the best products to use.

i just wated to point out that high grade ebony shouldent need any dyes
or staining to make it completly black but be prepard to pay a much as
$35 for a high grade madagascan ebony fingerboard.
indian eony is a very fine alternative and you can just as good results with
less financial outlay (say $20 for a good one).
African ebony is third on my list. this stuffi s notorius for streaking.
even an a grade african is only as good as most b grade indian ebony
fingerboards.
as such i try not to supply african unless someone specificaly askes for it

good luck,
and be sure to let us k ow your results.

joel.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 8:11 am 
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Old Growth Brazilian Rosewood
Old Growth Brazilian Rosewood
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Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2007 9:49 am
Posts: 12964
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
First name: Hesh
Last Name: Breakstone
City: Ann Arbor
State: Michigan
Country: United States
Status: Professional
Andrew buddy Stew-Mac sells this stuff and it will make a fret board, head plate, etc. jet black.




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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 8:22 am 
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Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2005 10:04 am
Posts: 2060
You can often find Fiebings at leather and shoe repair shops. I get it from a shoe repair shop down the road from me. I have a friend who uses it on his harpsichord flats & sharps too, and it works quite well.

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 12:12 pm 
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Koa
Koa

Joined: Sat Aug 04, 2007 10:37 am
Posts: 590
Location: United States
First name: Michael
Last Name: Shaw
City: Phila
State: PA
Zip/Postal Code: 19125
Country: United States
India Ink works well. Black hair dye works to.

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