Pistachio fret board

[Kary Karahadian]

Anyone have any experience with pistachio as a fret board alternative wood?

[Mark Langner]

I would be tempted to interpret four days of silence as a "no". If you posted this question on April 1, at least you might get a response like "salted, or unsalted".

As Michael Lewis pointed out in another post, "You could try looking up structural qualities of that wood, often found at agricultural university web sites etc. You might have to identify the scientific name though."

[David King]

I'd think it would be pretty hard and if it is I wouldn't hesitate to use it.

See: http://www.wood-database.com/lumber-ide ... pistachio/
Density is about like maple.

[Kary Karahadian]

David, that is a great website resource. looks like african ebony is quite a bit harder. i've seen some boards that are visually very striking.

[David King]

Curly or ribbon stripe pistashio out of northern California can be stunning.
Ebony? You are talking apples and oranges here.
There are plenty of woods that make ebony look soft is that's what you are after.

[Adam Savage]

I've made a fretboard out of snake wood, I can't imagine there is a great deal harder. It seemed to laugh off a centre punch when marking the position dots.

Cheers,
Adam

[Kary Karahadian]

Not really looking for something harder than ebony, but it is my standard that i judge other fret board woods by. not sure i'd want to build with a wood that is 2/3rds as hard for fear of wear and tear/longevity issues. it is very beautiful, i agree.

[David King]

This is true if you are building a fretless bass and planning to use round wound strings. On a fretted guitar it's hardly going to matter especially if you put some sort of finish over the fingerboard (as one would see on a maple board in an electric guitar for instance). You see acoustics and electrics with Indian rosewood boards which are often lighter and softer than rock maple. Some would choose the fingerboard wood for it's sound not just it's durability, that's all I'm saying.