Example: Is a $250 upcharge for an ebony fretboard justified by the cost of the wood and perhaps the increased difficulty to fret it (is it actually more difficult than maple for ex), or it is just an easy way to charge more?
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Fretboard woods upcharges
- Thread starter DrStein
- Start date
Yes. Ebony is almost an endangered wood now, so it's getting more and more expensive. And it may soon start to become an ethical concern to keep building basses out of it, though I don't know if we're actually there yet.
On a fretted bass, though, there's no reason whatsoever to use Ebony on the fingerboard, so you save money and help the supplies of wood at the same time by choosing something else.
On a fretless bass, it's much harder to resist because Ebony is absolutely the best wood you can choose for that. I have two Tony Franklins, but I plan to be buried with them also, so I won't be endlessly buying more Ebony with what I already have.
L
On a fretted bass, though, there's no reason whatsoever to use Ebony on the fingerboard, so you save money and help the supplies of wood at the same time by choosing something else.
On a fretless bass, it's much harder to resist because Ebony is absolutely the best wood you can choose for that. I have two Tony Franklins, but I plan to be buried with them also, so I won't be endlessly buying more Ebony with what I already have.
L
If we're thinking about it, then we "are there". Historically, we have been tragically late to act on just about every environmental concern we have ever been aware of, and there's little reason to believe that will change, because we are savage, territorial primates doing what we do, as we have always done.
$250 upcharge for ebony may seem expensive, but there is a reason.
Luciens is correct; legally harvested ebony is getting harder to come by. Taylor guitars owner is making a big push to be more conscientious about harvesting; this video was very enlightening:
I do adore my ebony fret/fingerboard instruments, though; they are beautiful. My Carvins were made in 1988 and my Pedulla in 1990. As much as I like my ebony boards, if I were to buy a new bass now I would seriously consider a different wood, especially for a fretted bass. But if I ultimately decided I wanted ebony, I would understand that there is a reason for the additional expense.
Luciens is correct; legally harvested ebony is getting harder to come by. Taylor guitars owner is making a big push to be more conscientious about harvesting; this video was very enlightening:
I do adore my ebony fret/fingerboard instruments, though; they are beautiful. My Carvins were made in 1988 and my Pedulla in 1990. As much as I like my ebony boards, if I were to buy a new bass now I would seriously consider a different wood, especially for a fretted bass. But if I ultimately decided I wanted ebony, I would understand that there is a reason for the additional expense.
Yes.. but thing is that these upcharges are also for no endangered woods like bird's eye maple and ziricote for example. Now, I know these are generally more expensive woods but if the cost for an end user can be $20-$40 when bought directly, I would think that the cost would be much less for the builder. Then $30 becomes $300, asked upcharge.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
People who want specific woods will pay more.
Also remember, the builders don't stock much extra. It's easier and cheaper to have less and say you are out then to have a bunch of expensive wood that just sits around. I make custom baseball bats, and trying to juggle wood inventory isn't easy.
Also remember, the builders don't stock much extra. It's easier and cheaper to have less and say you are out then to have a bunch of expensive wood that just sits around. I make custom baseball bats, and trying to juggle wood inventory isn't easy.
Fair enough but, will your customers wait a couple of years for their order? I will, regardless of my fretboard's wood...
Of course not.
My most recent Schecter guitar retails for $1249 and has an Ebony fretboard.
Even at $200, there’s no way that would represent an accurate price to have that wood on my guitar.
Are you looking to buy from a small/custom/boutique builder?
As per @g-dude said, a mass builder should not upcharge that much, but I can see an independent builder certainly might.
I have a lot of respect for Taylor’s corporate policy of wood sustainability. They are placing tons of money where their mouth is funding tree farms, research, as well as bringing good paying jobs in third world countries. All the while making mighty fine instruments.
Not true at all. Not all ebony is equal and therefore not all Ebony costs the same. Ebony is a small scrubby tree, all the large old ebony is gone. What is left to harvest is very small, and almost none of it is uniformly black anymore. I prefer streaky ebony, but solid black is the standard. Schecter is likely getting very low quality ebony and dying it black, a luthier charging $250 for ebony will likely have very high quality ebony that has been properly seasoned for many years and is naturally uniformly black. Due to its scarcity you have to be willing to pay if that’s what you want. If not you can get a lower quality dyed ebony or one of the “ebony” alternatives. When you pay $250 extra you are likely getting this:
Gaboon Ebony | The Wood Database - Lumber Identification (Hardwood)
when you get it on a $1200 schecter you are likely getting one of the alternatives listed, like African Blackwood that they are calling “ebony”
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We really need to look into alternative woods, check out “Texas ebony”. That reminds me of my Brazilian rosewood fingerboard on my old double bass.
Texas Ebony | The Wood Database - Lumber Identification (Hardwood)
Texas Ebony | The Wood Database - Lumber Identification (Hardwood)
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
I don't use exotic woods, but some woods,such as hickory, are tough to find, and seldom requested. I'd rather say I don't have any in stock at times, rather than pay for wood that won't sell. It's a tough balance.
So my guitar maker can charge 5-15 times the asking price of this place (for example)
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because it is always so much better (and I am not talking strictly about ebony but other wood options too...)
Sorry, I don't (fully) buy it. I may be a cranky ignorant but it seems like a way to make easy money on top of already boutique prices.
Ok, don’t buy it. The truth doesn’t need you to believe it, it’s the truth either way. A fact is a fact. Real ebony is extremely scarce and is priced very high to discourage people from buying it. Those that want it think it’s worth the higher price.
Also, the idea that anything in high-end luthiery is “easy money” is hilarious.
Good. Thank you for your constructive input. Also, I am not talking about ebony, I am talking about woods (that may include ebony)
It does sound like your builder may be charging more for "exotic" woods than others in the industry might be. That said, some luthiers command a premium price for their work, and are good enough, or well respected enough to get it.
Only you can decide if your luthier's price is worth paying. Assuming he/she has a successful long term business, others obviously thought so over time. If he/she is new or unknown, they may be simply having difficultly sourcing the woods; supply chain sucks right now.
Or they may be a con artist (WARNING: Darrin Huff Basses / Zeller Guitars)
As others have said real ebony is not cheap. And depending on where the builder is located in the world they may not be able to source it locally (requiring additional shipping costs and time sourcing said wood). Additionally its harder to work with. It dulls tools, takes longer to radius, harder to seat frets properly, and if you're cutting the slots with a saw/by hand it can be much more tedious.
That's what I asked (OP). Thank you. So, is it harder than maple (to work with)?
