Alternative fingerboard wood

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TANúñez

Posts: 2559
Joined: Jul. 10 2003
From: TEXAS

Alternative fingerboard wood

Have any of you luthiers used woods other than African ebony for your fingerboards and if so, did you notice any tonal differences?

It seems the high quality African ebony is dwindling and I'm considering using an alternative such as Macassar ebony or Madagascar rosewood.

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Tom Núñez
www.instagram.com/tanunezguitars

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 13 2008 8:45:52

jshelton5040

Posts: 1500
Joined: Jan. 17 2005

RE: Alternative fingerboard wood (in reply to TANúñez)

quote:

ORIGINAL: It seems the high quality African ebony is dwindling and I'm considered using an alternative such as Macassar ebony or Madagascar rosewood.

My understanding is that there are about 16 or more varieties of ebony.

I had an opportunity to get Macassar ebony from the Philippines through family connections so I bought quite a lot of it (they call it Kamagong and I have no idea if that's the right spelling). Even after aging it for 20 years it was still moving. I ended up using it in furniture. I was offered an entire tree for free but the shipping costs would have been stupendous and at the time I was a poor starving flamenco guitarist and beginner luthier so I couldn't swing it.

Many steel string makers claim that rosewood fingerboards are superior to ebony because the rosewood is more resonant. I'll reserve judgement on that.

I suggest you stock up on African ebony will it's still available. I'm constantly amazed at how inexpensive some of these scarce hardwoods are. I once bought a couple of logs of Madagascar ebony. The vendor who was selling it had logs stacked up in piles probably 8 X 8 feet and 6-7 feet high. I wish I'd bought more as it is the best ebony I've ever used. Really nasty to resaw though.

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John Shelton - www.sheltonfarrettaguitars.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 13 2008 9:58:57

TANúñez

Posts: 2559
Joined: Jul. 10 2003
From: TEXAS

RE: Alternative fingerboard wood (in reply to jshelton5040)

Hi John,

Would you happen to know if these other varieties are more stable in climate changes? I'm so tired of my fret ends poking out every winter. What is a good humidity percentage for guitars to be kept at? I need to get one of the Ameritage case that you use. Those are awesome cases.

_____________________________

Tom Núñez
www.instagram.com/tanunezguitars

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 13 2008 11:38:41

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: Alternative fingerboard wood (in reply to TANúñez)

Hi Tom

I only build with African ebony because thats what my clients want, but I´m not to sure its the best. I could imagine that rosewoods would be better because they are lighter and have less damping.

One thing to consider is pores. I´m sure you know from the electrical world that some people prefer ebony or lacquered maple because they are smoother and that some prefer rosewoods because they sweat a lot and rosewood doesnt get that soapy on stage because the pores absorb the sweat. I have dry hands, so I always prefered lacquered maple.

You could consider. PauFerro. Its relatively stable, very beautifull and has no pores.

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Blog: http://news-from-the-workshop.blogspot.com/

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 13 2008 20:31:46

jshelton5040

Posts: 1500
Joined: Jan. 17 2005

RE: Alternative fingerboard wood (in reply to TANúñez)

quote:

ORIGINAL: TANúñez

Hi John,

Would you happen to know if these other varieties are more stable in climate changes? I'm so tired of my fret ends poking out every winter. What is a good humidity percentage for guitars to be kept at? I need to get one of the Ameritage case that you use. Those are awesome cases.

Can't answer that Tom. I have experience with the African varieties (Gabon, Cameroon, Madagascar, etc.) and Macassar that I already related.

Ebony takes a long time to cure. If you can, try to wait at least 3-4 years before using an ebony fingerboard. If you can find quartered stock it shrinks less across the grain which would help with your fret ends. That's the advantage of buying logs and sawing your own boards. You can cut them radially so every one is quartered.

Re: Ameritage
We had trouble with handles falling apart for awhile but they seem to have fixed that problem. They are indeed a beautiful case although on the heavy side.

_____________________________

John Shelton - www.sheltonfarrettaguitars.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 14 2008 3:18:07

TANúñez

Posts: 2559
Joined: Jul. 10 2003
From: TEXAS

RE: Alternative fingerboard wood (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

quote:

One thing to consider is pores. I´m sure you know from the electrical world that some people prefer ebony or lacquered maple because they are smoother and that some prefer rosewoods because they sweat a lot and rosewood doesnt get that soapy on stage because the pores absorb the sweat. I have dry hands, so I always prefered lacquered maple.

Your right about that. I prefer maple which is why I stick to Fender strats with maple fingerboards. Although I would love to one day own a Gibson. I'm sure I could get used to the rosewood fingerboard.

I see Pau Ferro being used more and more and may try it one day.

_____________________________

Tom Núñez
www.instagram.com/tanunezguitars

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 14 2008 5:51:01