Double Bass Alternatives to ebony, for fingerboards

[Akami]

This brings up a really good point, that there needs to be a different approach for double basses and electrics. Another place that bamboo might work well could be as backing support for a thinner veneer of ebony or carbon fiber.

 

[Dr McBalders]

Hi,
I really am in no way qualified to chime in on a set up/repair thread, but I wonder as to the feasibility of Jatoba as an alternate fingerboard material, as my modest engel EM-1 uses this wood, and I have been very happy with my bass thus far. Keep in mind that I have only played DB for 2 years or so, and as such may not have a very educated opinion.
What say you TB?
thanks,
B.

 

[bssist]

I think at least some people would be okay with a fingerboard that isn't black however.

I recently had my board planed. When asked if I wanted it stained I told him no. I think it looks much cooler this way. I imagine this is slightly darker but similar to what bamboo would look like. I would be more concerned with how it would sound.

 

[uprightben]

I've planed a walnut FB before. It was so deeply rutted that it looked like you could plant potatoes in there. It looks great, but it is just not tough enough, I think hard maple is probably the best domestic choice. There are other domestic woods that are harder but do not generally grow big enough. If one is determined, one could make their own laminated boards with hide glue. The cost in labor would be huge, but ebony is getting so high that the day could come that it would be cheaper.

 

[iiipopes]

Here is a wood density chart. North American woods cannot match ebony, bubinga etc

Not even persimmon? It's hard enough for traditional golf club heads, and seems to have fairly good grain, which might make it stiff enough. It is a member of the ebony family, Diospyros virginiana, and is often called "white ebony."

 

[forester]

it would work fine,and it grows large enough to make suitable blanks.many years ago i marketed quite a bit in central tennessee, it went to the amf corp for laminated "woods". sure is white...$4.00 bdft (logscale) back then.

 

[powerbass]

what region is persimmon native to? a white FB would be kinda cool. Is it stable, how difficult to dry and is the grain straight relatively?

 

[forester]

fair chance you can find some in western ma. better results as you move south. grain is straight and the texture tight,tends to be a slow grower, dries fine with a little care.
darkens a bit with age. very hard... quite suitable for an alternative to ebony. (see below)

p.s this is not an endorsment to go daylight the persimmon out of the woods, check fence rows, field edges, etc. it shines as a native fruit tree and is a good provider.
as in everything...moderation.

 

[powerbass]

Thanks Forester, yeah no sign of persimmon up here. I wont go daylightin but I would buy a billet for a FB if anyone has any to share??

 

[1st Bass]

Persimmon Wood Lumber

Several places online...

 

[Jake deVilliers]

Persimmon Wood Lumber

Several places online...

I saw that page myself last night. It says "Due to high demand, call for Persimmon lumber availability."

Whereas they have both Gaboon and Madagascar Ebony in stock...

 

[George700DL]

fair chance you can find some in western ma. better results as you move south. grain is straight and the texture tight,tends to be a slow grower, dries fine with a little care.
darkens a bit with age. gets harder than a honeymoon d.... quite suitable for an alternative to ebony. (see below)

p.s this is not an endorsment to go daylight the persimmon out of the woods, check fence rows, field edges, etc. it shines as a native fruit tree and is a good provider.
as in everything...moderation.

I just planted an American dogwood tree, to replace a 40ft Bradford Pear that got out of control over the years.

My homeowners association hates fruit trees, otherwise I would have gone with persimmon. Oh well.

George

 

[forester]

Dom-Ex Hardwoods

they have it.