Ebony top?

[Jakke]

Hey guys, was just thinking a bit the other day (never a good sign), and I thought: hey, maple is about the same density as ebony, and you make guitar tops out of maple, why not make one out of ebony?

So guys, great idea, or not so good?

What tones could I expect from an ebony top?

 

[Erick Kroenen]

i think they dont doit because ebony is so expensive hard to work and you have to find a big piece to use it as a top.. but blackmachine did it

Blackmachine 8

and also ibanez in an old model

http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/gu...s-ft-ibanez-prestige-s2170-swirled-ebony.html

hope this helpss

 

[SirMyghin]

Hey guys, was just thinking a bit the other day (never a good sign), and I thought: hey, maple is about the same density as ebony, and you make guitar tops out of maple, why not make one out of ebony?

So guys, great idea, or not so good?

What tones could I expect from an ebony top?

It may be the same density but it is definitely harder. I hear it is hell on tools, and aside from getting ahold of that much ebony being expensive, a lot of folks don't like excessive tool wear.

 

[HaMMerHeD]

I have a bass with a macassar ebony top. Mac ebony is not all that uncommon for tops, but the pure black Madagascar or Gabon ebony will be very hard to find in that size, and very expensive. There are many, many kinds of ebony. Only a few are very black.

As for its effect on tone...dubious.

Macassar Ebony top:

 

[CD1221]

and also ibanez in an old model

http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/gu...s-ft-ibanez-prestige-s2170-swirled-ebony.html

holy natural swirl batman! that ibanez is unbelievably cool. very impressed.

 

[Erick Kroenen]

holy natural swirl batman! that ibanez is unbelievably cool. very impressed.

my favorite top ever

 

[Dead Undead]

I have a bass with a macassar ebony top. Mac ebony is not all that uncommon for tops, but the pure black Madagascar or Gabon ebony will be very hard to find in that size, and very expensive. There are many, many kinds of ebony. Only a few are very black.

As for its effect on tone...dubious.

Macassar Ebony top:

That is GORGEOUS.

And it's effect on tone would be minimal if you're just using it as a top. Unless you do like a half and half body like a Caparison AppleHorn Jazz or use it as the core wood. If you did, though, it would sustain for days.

 

[Hollowway]

I have a bass with a macassar ebony top.

Ah, I never get tired of seeing that instrument. Just beautiful.

 

[Chris_N]

Hey, I'm just starting my first build, just got the woods for it:
Ebony top on a 1-piece swamp ash body.

I can tell you, the ebony was over 100 €, and I found only one piece in usable size.
You will have to check the wood suppliers by phone, usually they don't have it on their websites in this size.

 

[Dead Undead]

^That is a very nice specimen though. That sounds like a hell of a guitar you're building there.

 

[Chris_N]

^That is a very nice specimen though. That sounds like a hell of a guitar you're building there.

I'm very curious, as I've never played such an instrument.
But it will surly take some months til it's finished. It will be a 7 baritone with wenge/macassar neck.
I'll make a thread, when there is something to report, and I'm sure that I'll have many q's and need for some help in the process.

 

[Dead Undead]

I'm very curious, as I've never played such an instrument.
But it will surly take some months til it's finished. It will be a 7 baritone with wenge/macassar neck.
I'll make a thread, when there is something to report, and I'm sure that I'll have many q's and need for some help in the process.

That sounds REALLY nice. Wenge necks are amazing.
Working with wenge is kinda rough from what I hear though. Lots of splintering.

 

[sk3ks1s]

It does splinter a bit. You just need to take your time with it.
Also, if you get a splinter in your hand or finger, remove it. It does get mighty sore.

 

[UnderTheSign]

Oregon Wildwood had a bunch of ebony tops last time I checked. They won't be restocking any ebony so be quick before you're stuck ordering myrtlewood!

I think everything has been said. Ebony splinters a load, macassar ebony is a tad easier to work with. Still no soft, easy wood though!

 

[xwmucradiox]

If it was a thick top, you might get a similar tonal change to maple. The top on my Blackmachine was 2mm so thats more like the veneer on an inexpensive import than an actual top like a Les Paul or a PRS has.

 

[Dead Undead]

If it was a thick top, you might get a similar tonal change to maple. The top on my Blackmachine was 2mm so thats more like the veneer on an inexpensive import than an actual top like a Les Paul or a PRS has.

Well most LP's have that thick, carved/arched-top maple cap with will make a significant tonal difference.
Do they still do that?

 

[Chris_N]

Just found that:
Edelholzverkauf - Eb0001 Ebenholz-Riesenbohle - - Feinste Edelhlzer

this piece of ebony should do for a few guitars...

 

[musikizlife]

Took me a little bit to find, but this beauty has an Ebony top. Looks awesome, but i don't know to much about the tone
http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/lu...bony-top-shredmachine-build-process-pics.html

 

[Dead Undead]

Ebony would probably be very bright, but it would sustain like nobody's business. A thin top probably won't make much difference though.

 

[SirMyghin]

Ebony would probably be very bright, but it would sustain like nobody's business. A thin top probably won't make much difference though.

And generalizations of how wood will effect things despite the huge variance even within a special wash over the internet, onto a cobbled shore of doubt, assumptions, and psychosomatic expectations.

In plain english, don't worry about your top wood, or any wood for that matter. It is not the giant tone choice it is made out to be, but a very small one. Get what looks pretty (as you see a lot of folks adding veneers and such to their bargain instruments, that alone shows the value and your perception based on your instruments appearance)