Dropped_2_C

I have used Formby's saddle dye from stew mac. Make sure you tape up the binding and neck of course. Mine wiped right off the inlays, abalone and MOP for what it's worth, maybe try one fret first, But from my experience I have found it was not that big of an issue, just remember to NOT get it on the binding or neck

Thanks, are you familar with making a one piece neck and fretboard with either of these? I m tempted to use either cocobolo or some kind of ebony I've used cocobolo on my 2 latest guitars and I definitely prefer the look and feel of it compared to Rosewood - Its pores are tighter and it almost feels like ebony. It seems to me like its slightly harder and that it doesn't darken as much. The colour is nicer too but... these are all personal preferences. Thank you so much for your post, your response sounds like the direction I was wanting to go in. I am always looking for newer, better ideas, that will help me eliminate the guesswork. Plus it's nice to get builders ideas, and experiences first hand

Thanks for the in depth post, you have a lot of great ideas and comparison's, Thank you, I greatly appreciate it.

I have a PRS double cut away clone and it is ebony neckthru, 27 fret 7 string with a 28" scale with a African mahogany back with a 3/16 quilted maple top and it is lighter than the gibson. My gibson weighs in over 13lbs. Mine is not chambered. Not to be negative, but I always hear everyone saying, " oh my good a solid ebony neck is really heavy thats crazy", I have not had any problems that is a preference, I also prefer baseball bat necks as well. I have big hands and I hate a skinny neck, I think it boils down to preference. It may weigh close to the my gibson or slightly more, but it is not that big of a deal really. i know people that prefer Ibanez style wizard neck profiels and they think my guitars are heavy or have "thick neck's", I think it is perfect, I also prefer high action. FWIW it may be heavy but it's not a big deal, it's not going to weigh 20lbs or anything at most 14-14.5, with the case of the Dc PRS clone, the weight is a few lbs off from my Les Paul, I think it weighs like 11.7, basically 12, and the Les Paul weighs more

I don't find a solid ebony neck to heavy. I prefer neck thrus due to resonance, pitch and sustain. I feel the guitar breathes more I guess or has more life to it. lol, it is also preference. What I meant about BRW is one the price versus quality now is pretty outlandish, The quality of anything that would be very good is kept under lock and key. What i can find is sub par quality, IMO. I would like cocobolo because no finishing is really required besides sanding., due to the oily nature of the wood. i thought about trying to use a saddle dye on the cocobolo to make it look darker. If anyone knows a good wood dealer in the US that has BRW and ( has the proper paper's for it) I would be down for getting it as long as it is quality. And like I stated earlier I don't mind a heavy guitar I prefer them but i don't think it is any heavier than my 62 Les Paul Custom. A neck thru is just preference I guess. Keep the good ideas coming though, you got me thinking

It will have a finish, just a few coats of clear on it then sand it to a satin finish. The clear will be to protect the wood basically.

Thanks, are you familar with making a one piece neck and fretboard with either of these? I m tempted to use either cocobolo or some kind of ebony

I have been browsing for a while and I have decided to finally join. I wanted to have my next build to be a PRS "type" Single cut. I also wanted BRW but thats not going to happen thanks to pricing and scarcity. So i have been thinking of a few other options. I want to the neck and fretboard to be a one piece, and neck through of course " i hate the PRS heel". So I have thought of using cocobolo, great wood, very toxic so precautions will be made, macassar ebony, amazon rosewood ( I have been told it is closely related to BRW but not the same as Dalbergia nigra, I also have thought of about blackwood. Any suggestions that will give me a close tone and feel. I am certain they are some close equals considering the top grade BRW is being hoarded, and most others are not equal to what they were 10 years ago. I want to keep a dark brown to black look as well, but i want that warmth and projection that you get from BRW.