Ebony neck? Wha?

Please put your pickup/wiring discussions in the Electronics section; and put discussions about repair issues, including fixing errors in new instruments, in the Repairs section.
Post Reply
Doug Shaker
Posts: 278
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2012 9:21 pm
Location: Palo Alto, California

Ebony neck? Wha?

Post by Doug Shaker »

I have, in my carefully curated Pile O'Lutherie Wood (POLW), an ebony neck blank.

I'm kind of puzzling over the idea of an ebony neck blank. Although I am sure it
would LOOK slick, it would also be pretty darned heavy and subject to problems from
expansion and contraction.

Does anyone want to rise to the defense of African ebony as a neck wood? Or should
I mill it up for bridges or fretboards?
-Doug Shaker
User avatar
Bryan Bear
Posts: 1375
Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2012 1:05 pm
Location: St. Louis, MO

Re: Ebony neck? Wha?

Post by Bryan Bear »

Hmm. It would probably be pretty cool but, as you say, have a number of potential problems. I'd be too afraid to use it for a neck, not only because of those problems but mostly because of the fear that I would end up wishing I had used it for something else.

What would be other common uses for a billet of ebony? Before I cut it up for frretboards, I'd like to know if it had a value to some other craft in billet form. You may be able to sell it and put the money towards even more fretboards (and not have to shoulder the risks associated with milling it up).
PMoMC

Take care of your feet and your feet will take care of you.
User avatar
Dave Weir
Posts: 105
Joined: Tue Jul 02, 2013 8:48 pm
Location: Escondido, CA
Contact:

Re: Ebony neck? Wha?

Post by Dave Weir »

If it was big enough (I like blanks that are 1.25x3.5x28") i'd use it. Otherwise you'll never know...
User avatar
Mark Swanson
Posts: 1991
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 11:11 am
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan USA
Contact:

Re: Ebony neck? Wha?

Post by Mark Swanson »

I would use it for fretboards. It isn't that stable and it would move if used for a neck, if you ask me. And it's heavy. There are better woods for necks, and you never have enough ebony for fretboards!
  • Mark Swanson, guitarist, MIMForum Staff
David King
Posts: 2690
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2012 10:01 pm
Location: Portland, OR
Contact:

Re: Ebony neck? Wha?

Post by David King »

I'm with Mark here, last thing we need is for every guitar nut to decide they need an ebony neck.
Alan Carruth
Posts: 1265
Joined: Sun Jan 15, 2012 1:11 pm

Re: Ebony neck? Wha?

Post by Alan Carruth »

Could it be a blank for a bass or 'cello fingerboard? What are the dimensions?
Craig Bumgarner
Posts: 377
Joined: Mon Jan 09, 2012 3:03 pm
Location: Drayden, Maryland

Re: Ebony neck? Wha?

Post by Craig Bumgarner »

In the final days of the Henri Selmer guitars, they made a few with rosewood neck shafts. Selmer fans know about these and there is an oh-wow, ROSEWOOD neck thing about them. I played one 4-5 years ago, however and was not impressed. Who knows if the neck is to blame but the sound was thin and without much life. I had the feeling the notes were dying on the neck. It made an impression on me and I have favored light weight necks ever since.
Doug Shaker
Posts: 278
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2012 9:21 pm
Location: Palo Alto, California

Re: Ebony neck? Wha?

Post by Doug Shaker »

Alan Carruth wrote:Could it be a blank for a bass or 'cello fingerboard? What are the dimensions?
I will measure when I get back home. Yes, it could be a blank for cello fingerboard.
-Doug Shaker
Post Reply

Return to “Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars”