Ebony fretboards unstable?

Jongpil Yun · 06-22-2007, 05:09 AM

Is it true that ebony fretboards are unstable? I was talking to Patrice Vigier a while back and that's why he said that Vigier doesn't make any guitars with ebony fretboards.

Ishan · 06-22-2007, 05:22 AM

Vigier is known for some weird statments like :"You can't make a good fretless guitar with a wooden fretboard." and Tim Donahue use ebony and sounds badass. So I won't give too much credits to what he says. He's a great guy doing great guitars but he's a little weird

garcia3441 · 06-22-2007, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Ebony is an extremely fragile wood and care is needed to prevent cracking.
After working it, seal the surface with a coat of varnish, or just wrap in the Saran wrap till you are ready to work it some more.
Keep ebony from sudden temperature and humidity changes, and store in a cool place. Ebony makes fantastic handles, but tends to be unstable (and expensive). Vendors and knife makers cannot guarantee that it will not crack.

Exotic hardwoods used in knifemaking, handles and grips for knives, descriptions. Page 1-2.

It's just not Patrice saying it.

dpm · 06-22-2007, 07:15 AM

It's true, though the degree of instability varies depending on the exact type of ebony and how well it has been dried and cut.

Certainly the jet black Madagascar ebony which has been traditionally used is unstable, and personally I won't use it for that exact reason.

On the other hand, we had a batch of custom acoustic bridges machined from New Guinea ebony in a profile that begs to warp and they've remained rock solid in storage for a couple of years.

Pablo · 06-22-2007, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ishan

Vigier is known for some weird statments like :"You can't make a good fretless guitar with a wooden fretboard." and Tim Donahue use ebony and sounds badass. So I won't give too much credits to what he says. He's a great guy doing great guitars but he's a little weird

All communication I've had with Patrice Vigier has been very informative, very friendly and not weird at all... And I have no clue what's weid about Patrice stating a well known fact: Ebony fretboards are relatively unstable. How often have you heard of a cracked rosewood or maple board? How many cracked ebony boards have you heard of? Try asking Zimbloth as to the stability of ebony...

Moreover, what Vigier wants from a fretless guitar is the same sustain as a fretted instrument... hence, fretboards made from wood simply don't work (in his opinion). Actually, all of the local fretless players I've seen have either used alternative fretboards (I've even seen a guy with a glass fretboard) or have used sustainers.

Cheers

Eske

Ishan · 06-22-2007, 09:37 AM

I've 2 guitars with ebony borad and never add any problem related to stability, thow I don't know what kind of ebony those are made with.
Vigier is know, at least in france, for being some sort of picky perfectionist so his statments on things are a little extreme from time to time. He's still a very informative nice guy, one of the few you can contact and expect a quick reply.

eaeolian · 06-22-2007, 09:43 AM

"Traditional" Ebony is definitely prone to cracking, and requires care.

Zepp88 · 06-22-2007, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eaeolian

"Traditional" Ebony is definitely prone to cracking, and requires care.

I hope the ebony that Rob uses doesn't suffer from this.

jacksonplayer · 06-22-2007, 10:04 AM

Just keep it well-oiled and it'll be fine.

eelblack2 · 06-22-2007, 10:40 AM

Ebony get wierd if its allowed to get too dry. Its a naturally oily wood, and needs to stay somewhat, if not fairly well oiled. I have several ebony boards, and have not had a single issue because I keep them oiled frequently.

06-22-2007, 05:09 AM	#1
Jongpil Yun Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 2,332 Real Name: JP Main Seven: RG 7620 (VK) Thanked: 27	Ebony fretboards unstable? Is it true that ebony fretboards are unstable? I was talking to Patrice Vigier a while back and that's why he said that Vigier doesn't make any guitars with ebony fretboards. Whether it's laughable or irrational, this is the path that ALL great men walk! If there's a wall in our way, we'll destroy it! If there's no road, we'll pave it with our own hands! The magma in our hearts is blazing like flames! Who the hell do you think we are?

06-22-2007, 05:22 AM	#2
Ishan 0xDEADBEEF Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Paris, France. Posts: 2,229 Real Name: Yoann Main Seven: What for? Main ERG: 30" Intrepid Pro soon :) Rig: BM>QuadX>SS PA>2x12 Thanked: 14	Vigier is known for some weird statments like :"You can't make a good fretless guitar with a wooden fretboard." and Tim Donahue use ebony and sounds badass. So I won't give too much credits to what he says. He's a great guy doing great guitars but he's a little weird Bloody Murder #5 Current rig : Bodenhamer Bloody Murder -> Carvin Quad-X Amp preamp -> TC Electronics G-Major -> the t.amp E400 -> Framus 212CS with Celestion G12 Century's

06-22-2007, 09:43 AM	#7
eaeolian The Church of SEVEN • Super Moderator • Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Woodbridge, VA Posts: 8,122 Real Name: Mike Main Seven: Jackson CS Soloist 7 Rig: Mesa Triple Recto Thanked: 30	"Traditional" Ebony is definitely prone to cracking, and requires care. Division - American metal that doesn't suck. Much. Even on MySpace, and Soundclick, too.

06-22-2007, 10:04 AM	#9
jacksonplayer The Fusion Guy! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 3,861 Real Name: Chris Main Seven: KXK Sii-7 Rig: Fractal Audio Axe-FX Thanked: 21	Just keep it well-oiled and it'll be fine. Check out my home page: www.councilofone.net

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06-22-2007, 07:15 AM	#4
dpm RnB causes cancer Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Posts: 2,821 Real Name: Dan Main Seven: Old UV Main ERG: Oni 8 string Rig: modded Laney VC50 Thanked: 19	It's true, though the degree of instability varies depending on the exact type of ebony and how well it has been dried and cut. Certainly the jet black Madagascar ebony which has been traditionally used is unstable, and personally I won't use it for that exact reason. On the other hand, we had a batch of custom acoustic bridges machined from New Guinea ebony in a profile that begs to warp and they've remained rock solid in storage for a couple of years.

06-22-2007, 09:37 AM	#6
Ishan 0xDEADBEEF Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Paris, France. Posts: 2,229 Real Name: Yoann Main Seven: What for? Main ERG: 30" Intrepid Pro soon :) Rig: BM>QuadX>SS PA>2x12 Thanked: 14	I've 2 guitars with ebony borad and never add any problem related to stability, thow I don't know what kind of ebony those are made with. Vigier is know, at least in france, for being some sort of picky perfectionist so his statments on things are a little extreme from time to time. He's still a very informative nice guy, one of the few you can contact and expect a quick reply.

06-22-2007, 10:40 AM	#10
eelblack2 H8ing Non Shermans Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 1,336 Real Name: Lee Main Seven: Shermans Main ERG: Sherman 8 and 9 Rig: JMP1>Triaxis>9100 Thanked: 8	Ebony get wierd if its allowed to get too dry. Its a naturally oily wood, and needs to stay somewhat, if not fairly well oiled. I have several ebony boards, and have not had a single issue because I keep them oiled frequently.


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Ebony fretboards unstable?