Double Bass Fingerboard Blanks

[jsf729]

Is it unwise to purchase (or in my case-salvage) fingerboard blanks if they are not going to be used right away? I'm concerned that they would warp. I have a place to store them where temperature and humidity are relatively stable. Would tie wrapping to a solid straight piece of maple help?

 

[PauFerro]

Is it unwise to purchase (or in my case-salvage) fingerboard blanks if they are not going to be used right away? I'm concerned that they would warp. I have a place to store them where temperature and humidity are relatively stable. Would tie wrapping to a solid straight piece of maple help?

Not unwise if you have an opportunity to get them cheap. Keep them straight by clamping them to a straight, sturdy board. You are right to keep them in a place where there is the right level of humidity to prevent cracking.

 

[David Potts]

If you are buying two then perhaps strap them back to back?

 

[jsf729]

Thanks for the replies guys. Kind of what I figured- keep them in a stable environment and strap them down well. Great idea David!

 

[james condino]

Far better to buy a single high quality, stable blank or machined fingerboard than to get 10 mediocre for the same price. All ebony is in serious decline and what only a few years ago was considered mediocre grade is often what is in the better grade piles today. Choose a reputable supplier like International Violin or MET Music and get a good grade. Cheap, offcut, unseasoned ebony might as well be old white bread covered with shoe polish....it will hold up about as well over the long haul. There is nothing like saving $100 on materials only to have the thing warp all over five weeks after you spent a lot of time rebuilding everything....

 

[powerbass]

"old white bread covered with shoe polish" that's the best insult I have heard in a long time!

 

[flatback]

Ok so my question is kind of the opposite of this thread; If I wanted to be assured of the very best board....I have wanted to replace a board and wanted the very best that could be had...sometimes luthiers steer you to what they have, or the supplier they use (understandably) but if it is going to be done once in a blue moon I want the blank to be the best ...especially the board, man that is where the action is...What is the best that could be bought?

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

How much money do you have?

 

[flatback]

no I dont mean it like that. I mean if you want to get the best slab of ebony for a new board, commercially, what would it be and where would you get it?

 

[keiranhohara]

Buy the highest quality and let them age on the shelf for as long as possible. If they are going to warp or move better that they do it before gluing to a neck and warping the neck. We only use boards from Klier in germany in our shop and prefer them to sit on our shelf for 3-5 years before considering to use them.

 

[flatback]

THanks. Can you tell me how to get in touch with Klier, doesn't really come up in a quick search....