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Alembic Club » Miscellaneous » Archive through November 11, 2010 » Archive: 2008 » Archive through February 14, 2008 » What is an ebonised fingerboard « Previous Next »

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jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 1081
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Friday, February 01, 2008 - 12:25 pm:   Edit Post

I've been toying with the idea of getting a double bass on and off for a few years.

A lot of the cheaper ones I see on ebay have what they call
ebonised fingerboards.

What does that mean?
I presume it's not real ebony at the budget end of the market.
Any idea's?

Jazzyvee
darkstar01
Intermediate Member
Username: darkstar01

Post Number: 102
Registered: 6-2005
Posted on Friday, February 01, 2008 - 2:01 pm:   Edit Post

I've never heard that term before, but I used to have an old German flatback with a rosewood board that was covered in ebony. However, the guy that did the work did a terrible job and I had to get the ebony removed. Maybe that's what it is.
Austin
bsee
Senior Member
Username: bsee

Post Number: 1871
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Friday, February 01, 2008 - 2:10 pm:   Edit Post

I think it involves hardening a lesser wood with chemicals to bring it to the hardness of ebony. It may even be more of a composite than that. Lesser woods on a fretless tend to wear grooves under the strings.

I vaguely remember a Gibson/Epiphone PRS copy back when PRS became popular that had the same kind of board.
funkyjazzjunky
Member
Username: funkyjazzjunky

Post Number: 54
Registered: 5-2007
Posted on Friday, February 01, 2008 - 2:27 pm:   Edit Post

I had a plywood double bass with an 'ebonized' fingerboard. It was a phenolic board, light colored wood in a resin dyed black.
keavin
Senior Member
Username: keavin

Post Number: 1362
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Friday, February 01, 2008 - 3:04 pm:   Edit Post

This link might provide some answers...http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4ADBF_enUS231US231&q=ebonised+fingerboard
keavin
Senior Member
Username: keavin

Post Number: 1363
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Friday, February 01, 2008 - 3:07 pm:   Edit Post

this one too...http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4ADBF_enUS231US231&q=ebonised+
bsee
Senior Member
Username: bsee

Post Number: 1872
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Friday, February 01, 2008 - 4:37 pm:   Edit Post

Not much, Keavin. Now, pick through all the links and see if there's something there with actual information and I think you'll be on to something!

Always a good idea to do a Google search in these cases, though.
byoung
Senior Member
Username: byoung

Post Number: 939
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Saturday, February 02, 2008 - 11:30 am:   Edit Post

Two countries separated by a common language!

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/ebonized

First link on google for Ebonized. It is anything painted or dyed to look like ebony.

Unless you're willing to treat this instrument as a disposable toy, I'd not recommend anything that has an ebonized fingerboard; they typically have really poor wood underneath, and cannot be worked on. There are exceptions to this, of course (I think that the low end Engelhards, for instance, are okay).

The cheap basses on ebay generally aren't that good of an idea; the construction quality is terrible, and they have a tendency to fall apart.

Bradley
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 1085
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Sunday, February 03, 2008 - 12:19 am:   Edit Post

haha what a simple explanation for a grand sounding word. So basically ebonised means just painted black.

ho hum, let me shelf that idea for a while and save for something else.
Jazzyvee
georgie_boy
Advanced Member
Username: georgie_boy

Post Number: 349
Registered: 8-2005
Posted on Sunday, February 03, 2008 - 3:16 am:   Edit Post

Mu Cort Curbow bass has an "Ebanol" fingerboard. Is this the same thing???
It seems really good to me------but I'm a bit of a geek.

G
hydrargyrum
Advanced Member
Username: hydrargyrum

Post Number: 314
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Sunday, February 03, 2008 - 4:49 am:   Edit Post

I guess that means that Danno has several ebonised alembics then, doesn't it? ;)
dannobasso
Senior Member
Username: dannobasso

Post Number: 697
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Sunday, February 03, 2008 - 5:07 am:   Edit Post

That could be a new option for a custom finish.
Also available in opaque ebonized pigment saturation finish under space age polyester final coating!

Oh! You mean black! Makes sense now.


Dutifully yours, patiently waiting for my ebonized fraternal twins,
Danno

You know, for only pennies a day....... you could sponsor a refusing to grow up child with their Alembic addiction. Just call the number on the screen and we'll send you a photo and an mp3 of the child using the bass or guitar. Help stop the emotional strain of paying and waiting for these instruments with a generous donation today. Act now and get an autographed copy of School Days along with some disguarded EZwiders from the 74 Dead tour.
hankster
Intermediate Member
Username: hankster

Post Number: 159
Registered: 6-2004
Posted on Sunday, February 03, 2008 - 5:46 am:   Edit Post

Jazzyvee, you've probably already figured this out, but fingerboard aside, take your time, save your pennies (euros now I guess) and get a carved real wood bass rather than a plywood bass. The difference is overwhelmingly worth the extra cost that a decent carved bass carries with it.

Good luck!

Rick
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 2922
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Sunday, February 03, 2008 - 7:47 am:   Edit Post

Danno:

I can assure you that all the EZwiders from the '74 Dead tour were put to good use long ago. hehehehe

Hey, I just bought an ebonized 2001 Toyota Highlander last week!

Bill, tgo
byoung
Senior Member
Username: byoung

Post Number: 942
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Sunday, February 03, 2008 - 10:11 am:   Edit Post

Ebanol (ebonol?) is something different-- like a black plastic or something. Not painted wood.
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 6125
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Sunday, February 03, 2008 - 7:07 pm:   Edit Post

A quick scan of the web suggests that Ebonol (Ebanol) is a "synthetic material constructed of compressed paper and resin"(1) that "is "homogenous" in that it is a solid material and not composed of different materials like phenolics"(2).
georgie_boy
Advanced Member
Username: georgie_boy

Post Number: 362
Registered: 8-2005
Posted on Monday, February 04, 2008 - 7:03 am:   Edit Post

Thanks Dave & Bradley
I thought that that would mean it was crap, but it seems that Steinbergers have it or used to use it.
Can't be all that crap then I suppose.
Any TRUE feelings are much appreciated--------I'm thick skinned so don't worry

G

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