Brian Posted April 22, 2004 Report Share Posted April 22, 2004 Just got my annual (yeah I try best not to purchase to much there) box in from Stew Mac which contained the one and only item I needed plus a bottle of their infamous Black Stain for Ebony boards.......... Ok for those of you that couldn't get this product because it is flammable and they don't ship out of the US market on it, here's what it actually is......... The Black stain for turning leather black, so do a search for leather dye or tack shops or saddle shops in your local area and you should be able to find an inexpensive supply Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitarfrenzy Posted April 22, 2004 Report Share Posted April 22, 2004 Stew Mac sold me the Fiebing's Black Oil Dye 4oz size. Here are some other places I found that sells the exact same dye, not any cheaper though. Heritan Leather & Craft Supply - A Canadian Source!!!! Montana Leather Make sure you get the Professional Oil Dye though since it's alot better. Still haven't found a source for UK though.. but I'm sure there must be some place that sells it locally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitarfrenzy Posted April 22, 2004 Report Share Posted April 22, 2004 I found a source for it in the UK.. Le Prevo Leathers stock # C26 specify Black Also there main website page is http://www.fiebing.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southpa Posted April 22, 2004 Report Share Posted April 22, 2004 Thanks for the tip Brian! I'll be hunting some down soon. I assume it would work well for enhancing mahogany grain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregP Posted April 22, 2004 Report Share Posted April 22, 2004 Cheers for the tip, Brian. If I don't like my streaky ebony fingerboard (when it comes... grr LMI... ) I'll need it. As a Canadian, that tip is priceless. Greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drak Posted April 22, 2004 Report Share Posted April 22, 2004 It's an *oil-based* dye recommended for use on fretboards, not really for everyday use on other body woods. If you choose to try it on regular woods, follow the rules for using oil-based products, lest your finishes not stick to it and lift on you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveq Posted April 22, 2004 Report Share Posted April 22, 2004 Hey Brian - let us know what you think of it after trying it our on a fretboard. I have tried it a couple of times and have mixed feelings about it. In the right light, I can see a "rainbow effect" which I can only guess comes from the oil base. I was hoping for a flat black look but it kinda looks a bit shiny if you know what I mean. The stuff that Drak recommended a while ago - the stewmac fretboard conditioner - that stuff is pretty nice. It darkens the wood a bit and when buffed, really creates an incredible looking fretboard. I actually tried using a bit of both on and ebony board a while ago and it turned out looking very nice. The only issue I'm having with the conditioner is that it seems to wear off fairly quickly. Maybe I'm not putting enough coats on it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted April 22, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2004 sounds as though the wood itself isn't absorbing it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drak Posted April 23, 2004 Report Share Posted April 23, 2004 Actually I've used both products on the same neck once or twice before... I used the Fiebings ebony dye to darken a Rosewood 'board, then waited 48 hours, then went back over it with the fretboard conditioner to 'seal in' the dye, since the fretboard conditioner is a film finish type of product and will seal in anything trapped below it (well, it should on paper anyway ). One one, like Brian mentioned, the Rosewood just didn't absorb very much of the dye, maybe it was an oily piece already, but after I buffed it all out, it wasn't much different looking than it was to start with... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southpa Posted April 23, 2004 Report Share Posted April 23, 2004 Most fretboard woods have above average amount of natural oils plugging the grain compared to other woods. I've noticed a good rubbing with light grade steel wool will open up the grain of most woods. Perhaps that would help in prepping your fretboards prior to dyeing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveq Posted April 23, 2004 Report Share Posted April 23, 2004 Drak - how long does the conditioner seem to stay looking like new on your fretboards? For me, after a couple of weeks of moderate playing time, the fretboard did not look as good as it originally did. I wish I took pictures of it- you could actually see where the film was wearing and other spots (close to the frets) where it remained. Kinda like the reverse of a maple board wearing over time. I'm just wondering how many coats I should be using. The bottle doesn't give any recommendations. I love the initial look of that stuff - I just wish I could keep it that way for a bit longer. (sorry to steer this topic towards a different product) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted April 23, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2004 Not sure how it would effect the wood in the long run but perhaps wiping it down with naptha or acetone (evaporates quicker) to dry out the surface before hitting with the dye might make a difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitarfrenzy Posted April 24, 2004 Report Share Posted April 24, 2004 Your using Ebony dye on Rosewood? I've only used it on Ebony to darken the wood and it works great for that. No offense, but why would you use that on Rosewood? Just curious.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devon Headen Posted April 24, 2004 Report Share Posted April 24, 2004 Same reason you use it on ebony...to darken the wood. I really like the look of dyed rosewood fbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitarfrenzy Posted April 25, 2004 Report Share Posted April 25, 2004 Same reason you use it on ebony...to darken the wood. I really like the look of dyed rosewood fbs. Yeah, but I'd figure if you wanted a black looking fretboard you'd just buy an ebony board instead of a rosewood. I just thought it was to make the Ebony a uniformed black. But I can see how someone would try to use it if the fretboard was already in place and you wanted that ebony fretboard look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbkim Posted April 25, 2004 Report Share Posted April 25, 2004 Yeah, but I'd figure if you wanted a black looking fretboard you'd just buy an ebony board instead of a rosewood. I just thought it was to make the Ebony a uniformed black. But I can see how someone would try to use it if the fretboard was already in place and you wanted that ebony fretboard look. It might also be for someone who prefers the sound of a rosewood FB but the look of ebony . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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