Black frets

[bwbass]

Boaz Elkayam made at least one Link Removed, and Lane Poor's headless basses had black epoxy fingerboards with "steps" cast into them for frets. Both looked completely black, neither sounded like a traditional fret.

I seem to recall that Danny Ferrington made a bass for Don Was that had ebony frets, though this was done for sound, not for looks.

Pics of the last two from the web:

 

[Audere]

Has anyone tried a commercial black oxide coating?

IMO this is a reasonably priced option
My local shop has a $40 min charge but it is < $2 per pound last time I had steel coated.
I suspect 20 lbs is a lot of fret wire.

The surface would be harder than the steel. This is the same type of coating use on black drywall screws or tool bits so it might be hard enough.

The shops will also wax or oil the finish which makes them look nicer.

If someone tries it, check out a double etch process as the color will be darker and have more of a matt finish.

 

[BassTerd]

what about powder coating? Isn't that stuff supposed to be pretty hard?

 

[Pneuma]

I'd doubt it on both oxide and powder coating. Oxide is pretty hard, and might last a little while, but it'd start to come off before too long. It also might affect the sound.

Powder coating is essentially paint. It's just bonded electostatically (iirc) and baked on. Tough, but I think you'd wear it off pretty quick. I definately think it'd affect the sound.

I'd figure black chrome would be the longest lasting finish, but it'd wear off long before the frets wore out.

P.

 

[bwbass]

Also keep in mind that frets are almost always installed over-length and filed or sanded flush with the edge of the fingerboard after they're in. So at the very least you'll mess up the ends of a black-coated fret putting it in.

And that's if you don't need to do any leveling or polishing. I can't see how you'd powder-coat, anodize, or black-oxide a fret while it's installed in the neck. If you want it black, I'd say it has to be black material through-and-through.