when did they start staining ebony?

[tomiv9]

Just read in some other threads that some big makers stain ebony black nowadays because solid black ebony is so rare. Does anyone know when this practice started?

[Rmz76]

Originally Posted by tomiv9

Just read in some other threads that some big makers stain ebony black nowadays because solid black ebony is so rare. Does anyone know when this practice started?

They don't stain it. They just started using the Ebony that is was less than perfect for conservation sake.

[tomiv9]

Some makers stain it, to make it look pure black.

[44Runner]

Originally Posted by Rmz76

They don't stain it. They just started using the Ebony that is was less than perfect for conservation sake.

Actually some manufacturers have been using B grade ebony and simply staining it black for many years. Exactly how many I don't know.

[AZLiberty]

Originally Posted by Rmz76

They don't stain it. They just started using the Ebony that is was less than perfect for conservation sake.

This is of course complete BS. (great marketing by Taylor, but BS nevertheless)

Taylor has never stained their ebony (to my knowledge) neither has Larrivee. I have Larrivees with nice stripey ebony that are a couple decades old.

Other builders have stained their ebony black for decades. It's not a new phenomenon, I've seen stained boards from the 1920's

Martin has always stained ebony when needed.

[tadol]

I think they've been dyeing ebony for decades, if not longer - the changing aesthetic means more people are willing to accept the minor variations naturally found in ebony.

[Wade Hampton]

I've seen plenty of banjos and mandolins from around 1900 through the 1920's with fingerboards and other parts stained black. It's not even remotely a recent phenomenon.


whm

[lalowdwn1]

Originally Posted by Todd Yates

Martin has always stained ebony when needed.

Except on certain models, like the -35s, which have used "striped ebony." More El Cajon propaganda fueling these types of inquiries, I suppose.

I too have owned, and currently own, Larrivees with lovely unstained ebony (and unstained mahogany, for that matter).

[fazool]

Originally Posted by AZLiberty

This is of course complete BS. (great marketing by Taylor, but BS nevertheless)

Taylor has never stained their ebony (to my knowledge) neither has Larrivee. I have Larrivees with nice stripey ebony that are a couple decades old.

Other builders have stained their ebony black for decades. It's not a new phenomenon, I've seen stained boards from the 1920's

I agree with what you said but I don't understand what is "complete BS"

[brucefulton]

I believe most ebony fingerboards darkened to make them appear pure black are treated with analine dyes, not stains, at least traditionally. Dyes actually dissolve in the carrier as opposed to simply being born by them in suspension and so deeply penetrate the material. Analine dyed fingerboards for musical instruments have been around for decades at least. I was aware of them in the 60s.

[JamesStA]

Originally Posted by Rmz76

Sounds good to me.

[The Bard Rocks]

Wade, those stained fingerboards on the old banjos were often pear wood, not ebony. I guess pear takes stain well (it is originally light-colored) and also wears well.

Ebony is one of several threatened species of wood that guitar player cherish and somewhere along the line the notion appeared that fingerboards had to be solid black (or rosewood, which certainly isn't black). Since black ebony is harder and harder to find, they began using less cosmetically perfect ebony and staining it to achieve the look folks want. It's the same wood and I think this is a perfectly legitimate way of dealing with a "problem" and if it is disclosed, no one should complain.

There are many other woods which will also work well. I have Ipe (even harder than ebony) and Bloodwood fingerboards and love both of them.

The thought of someone "needing" an ultra black fingerboard and then covering it in abalone is an amusing one.

[JamesStA]

Originally Posted by The Bard Rocks

The thought of someone "needing" an ultra black fingerboard and then covering it in abalone is an amusing one.

And really the idea of "need" in general when it comes to guitars is amusing. Many of us are lucky to live in a world where the luxury of a good musical instrument comes so easily. A couple hundred years ago only the very rich could afford such things.

I think first world society is kind of spoiled, and if we'd just take a step back and be thankful for what we have rather than feeling entitled to whack down forests half way across the globe, the world would be a better place.

[FrankB2]

I don't know how long ago this practice began, but I have seen plenty of classical guitars with rosewood fretboards that have been dyed black. It's almost universal with classical guitars.