Metalblaze
New member
Guitar building guys! Is it possible to dye rosewood fretboards to make them look like ebony? Well not exactly but at least close.
How about dyeing rosewood?
- Thread starter Metalblaze
- Start date
GuitarStv
Sock Market Trader
Re: How about dyeing rosewood?
Yes.
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Finishing_supplies/Colors,_tints,_and_stains/Black_Fingerboard_Stain.html
Yes.
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Finishing_supplies/Colors,_tints,_and_stains/Black_Fingerboard_Stain.html
DarkMatter
Unprofessional Toneologist
Re: How about dyeing rosewood?
Yes, that should be possible. You'll likely still see some faint stripes but even most ebony these days is not completely black anyways.
Yes, that should be possible. You'll likely still see some faint stripes but even most ebony these days is not completely black anyways.
Metalblaze
New member
Re: How about dyeing rosewood?
Ah thanks a lot! That's really encouraging! Does it last or it needs reapplying regularly?
Ah thanks a lot! That's really encouraging! Does it last or it needs reapplying regularly?
ItsaBass
New member
Re: How about dyeing rosewood?
Yes, I looked into this myself a while back.
The Stew Mac product is just Fiebling's leather dye, which you can get for half the price elsewhere. Slap the name "guitar" in front of some product designed for another purpose, and you can charge twice as much.
My Aerodyne Tele came from the factory with an "ebonized" rosewood board. It holds up fine except down at the end where the pick strikes the edge of the board. Over decades of play, I think it would slowly wear off in certain areas...but that it would look cool.
Yes, I looked into this myself a while back.
The Stew Mac product is just Fiebling's leather dye, which you can get for half the price elsewhere. Slap the name "guitar" in front of some product designed for another purpose, and you can charge twice as much.
My Aerodyne Tele came from the factory with an "ebonized" rosewood board. It holds up fine except down at the end where the pick strikes the edge of the board. Over decades of play, I think it would slowly wear off in certain areas...but that it would look cool.
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Metalblaze
New member
ItsaBass
New member
Re: How about dyeing rosewood?
Yeah, but I have read that it rubs off of non-porous surfaces pretty easily. I think someone mentioned using an eraser to get it offa the dots. But you have to wait for it to fully dry first.
I wish I could say from firsthand experience, though. I sold the guitar I was gonna try it on before I ever made any changes. I would have done trials on a scrap neck first, for sure.
Yeah, but I have read that it rubs off of non-porous surfaces pretty easily. I think someone mentioned using an eraser to get it offa the dots. But you have to wait for it to fully dry first.
I wish I could say from firsthand experience, though. I sold the guitar I was gonna try it on before I ever made any changes. I would have done trials on a scrap neck first, for sure.
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Metalblaze
New member
Re: How about dyeing rosewood?
Ah didn't think about it.
Look at this one I found. It's Jon Sullivan Sullivan from Sully guitars explaining this very same thing. I guess it's ok. On 7:55.
Ah didn't think about it.
Look at this one I found. It's Jon Sullivan Sullivan from Sully guitars explaining this very same thing. I guess it's ok. On 7:55.
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Metalblaze
New member
Re: How about dyeing rosewood?
Yeah it's just for cosmetic purpose. I want rosewood tone but prefer ebony looks.
Yeah it's just for cosmetic purpose. I want rosewood tone but prefer ebony looks.
SabbathFan0220
New member
Re: How about dyeing rosewood?
I did this to my Epi LP using the StewMac stuff. It came off the inlays without any trouble (I think I went over the fretboard with 0000 steel wool after).
I did this to my Epi LP using the StewMac stuff. It came off the inlays without any trouble (I think I went over the fretboard with 0000 steel wool after).
PoorMan
MoneyForNothingologist
PoorMan
MoneyForNothingologist
Re: How about dyeing rosewood?
They've openly stated it doesn't stain the inlays...I found this NOT to be the case.
They've openly stated it doesn't stain the inlays...I found this NOT to be the case.
Metalblaze
New member
Re: How about dyeing rosewood?
I prefer very dark, almost black fretboards if not maple. I can't stand the light brown ones.
edit: I can see how they can suit certain guitars though.
I prefer very dark, almost black fretboards if not maple. I can't stand the light brown ones.
edit: I can see how they can suit certain guitars though.
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KeeperOS
New member
Re: How about dyeing rosewood?
According to this it will wipe right off MOP or Abalone inlays:
http://www.stewmac.com/tradesecrets/promo/ts0046_ebony
I'd expect to have a far harder time with plastic and/or clay inlays though, also, I believe there is no need to mention actual wood inlays
According to this it will wipe right off MOP or Abalone inlays:
http://www.stewmac.com/tradesecrets/promo/ts0046_ebony
I'd expect to have a far harder time with plastic and/or clay inlays though, also, I believe there is no need to mention actual wood inlays
Metalblaze
New member
Re: How about dyeing rosewood?
Yeah it's about MOP inlays. Thanks guys for the insight!
According to this it will wipe right off MOP or Abalone inlays:
http://www.stewmac.com/tradesecrets/promo/ts0046_ebony
I'd expect to have a far harder time with plastic and/or clay inlays though, also, I believe there is no need to mention actual wood inlays
Yeah it's about MOP inlays. Thanks guys for the insight!
