| Author | Message | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 1081 Registered: 6-2002 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
Ebanol (ebonol?) is something different-- like a black plastic or something. Not painted wood. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 6125 Registered: 5-2002 |
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 |
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 |
