Anyone have a master grade ebony fingerboard? Photos appreciated! I'm just trying to see if it would be worth the upcharge for the master grade. Bonus points if you have a roasted maple neck too.
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The shop can confirm, but I believe master grade ebony is simply jet black so I don't think photos would help. Bob Taylor of Taylor Guitars explains why all black ebony has become master grade:
It's a powerful video, and anyone who hasn't seen it should watch the whole thing. Roger has already discussed the ash shortage. We musicians are going to have to accept new and different woods now that the traditional ones are becoming scarce.
Curious to hear how roasted neck and ebony board pair with each other. I hear the roasted neck as a tad slow on the attack, but fat and full when it hits, while ebony is very fast on the attack - some people describe it as pingy, although I find that term kind of derogatory, and don't quite agree.
I can remember during my last NYC build talking to Lisa who told me the ebony board had a light streak in it and would that be a problem?
I watched the excellent Taylor video and decided right then that I'd wear my streak with pride.
Massive %age of ebony disposed of because it's not totally black? Just plain wrong.
I have a bass with an ebony board that has a cool subtle streak in it that I thought looked cool and never Really thought about it really until I had someone do a setup at one point and he used some kind of fingerboard oil that made it nearly disappear and frankly I was bummed. Sometimes you don’t know what you have til it’s gone...
Maybe useful info for someone who wants it less noticeable however.
Maybe useful info for someone who wants it less noticeable however.
Thanks for that video! Hugely helpful.
I had a stingray with the roasted maple and ebony, and played a number of bongos with the same configuration, and I loved the feel of both. I don't know how it will pair with Sadowsky exactly, but I'm willing to bet that it will work swimmingly. I've never heard ebony described as pingy, and definitely didn't hear it that whey with the basses I've had.
Thanks everyone for the info!
I agree. One of the coolest fingerboards I'd ever seen was on an American Elite Jazz V with an ebony board that was here in the classifieds a few times. It was nearly half and half with dark on one side and light on the other. Some may view it as a flaw, but I thought it was wicked and almost bought it a few times just based on the cool factor.
I have a Sadowsky with all-black ebony board. That build was pearl white body and headstock, and I wanted the black board as visual contrast. I also wanted an ebony-boarded bass in my collection. This was over 10.5 years ago, and I don't recall whether I paid an upcharge for master grade.
Anyway, I agree with you. It's sad that many of us, myself included, grew up under the misconception that quality ebony must be all black or it's flawed. I look forward to seeing multicolor ebony boards.
my sadowsky with the all black ebony board came in JUST under the master grade classification change, so i got super lucky on that one.
however, i've had basses in the past with "macassar" ebony boards, which are typically (if not always) highly colored, that plus Bob's video, and at least i never worry about quality and tone with the colored boards, but i do still prefer the all black aesthetically, so it's just become a(nother) premium option for me a this point, and i'm ok with that. supply/demand, and responsible harvesting. it's the way things work best.
My NYC has a roasted BEM neck with an ebony board. Honestly, it has a very similar response compared to my ‘62 Jazz Bass; on which the neck is well aged.
This limited edition Sadowsky that just arrived at Bass Direct, though.... 
Sadowsky Metroline Vintage J 5-21 Whale blue Lim Edition , Sadowsky UK, MV4, 5, Custom, Jazz, Will Lee, Active, Basses specialist Warwick, Bass Direct, Birmingham, London, Manchester, UK, USA, EU
Sadowsky Metroline Vintage J 5-21 Whale blue Lim Edition , Sadowsky UK, MV4, 5, Custom, Jazz, Will Lee, Active, Basses specialist Warwick, Bass Direct, Birmingham, London, Manchester, UK, USA, EU
Again, I'm happy I have jet black for my Sadowsky MM bass, and given that I got it over a decade ago I don't believe I had to pay the upcharge. But for most other builds, I'd be delighted to have ebony with spots, streaks, whatever.
Lots of players seem to dislike the pau ferro boards on recent Fender offerings, but I've always liked it on my Sadowsky basses. Maybe I'm doing this wrong? 
Lots of players seem to dislike the pau ferro boards on recent Fender offerings, but I've always liked it on my Sadowsky basses. Maybe I'm doing this wrong?
I'd say you're doing it right! I gotta admit, I wasn't a fan either until this came along.
And ebony will always be my favorite, streaks and all.
Love Pao Ferro on this bass, as it is so complementary to the body
And ebony will always be my favorite, streaks and all.
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That ebony is great! I think the streak is attractive!
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That ebony is great! I think the streak is attractive!
I honestly like Ebony with streaks in it. Give me fretboards with a little character. Ebony is by far my favorite fretboard for tone. Really makes the notes come to life and opens up the tone.
