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I have seen this described many places as the black purf in b/w purf combos. Whas is this stuff made of. Can you tell the difference between it and ebony under finish-even up to .04?

Bob...my experience with black fiber as a purf is that it is blacker and more consistent than ebony. It is also easier to bend. As far as the look, I find it a rich and elegant look particularly in contrast next to a lighter wood.

I can't remember where I saw it,but I believe some may actually use black fiber as the exposed headstock layer and finish it as though it were wood. John Watkins sells this material and may be able to add further to the discussion.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

it is volcanized wood/paper fibers. Basically plastic and pulp. On purfling it is THE thing to use. Very consistant blacks. I don't like it on headplates or binding as the face of it can get a strange gray haze in it. I haven't figured out what the problem is so I don't use it for those applications any more. But for purfs and lams it works great.

You'd be surprised how many people use it as their headplate material. Most of the archtop guys, Gibson...

The gray haze is caused by melting it during sanding. It's got a pretty low tolerance for friction heat.

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John Watkins
CNC Guitar Parts

I've used it for purfling, binding and end grafts with no problem. Scrape it down in lieu of sanding if at all possible.
It is a "pure" black with no gray streaks as often found now days in the ebony that is available, but it looks great under lacquer.

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Hank Mauel

My question: where does one find this stuff?

Bob C has it and so does John Watkins.

But you can most likly get it from an electrical supplier as "fish paper"

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Hmnnn ... has anyone used it to produce thin lines between neck laminations?

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D..

Yep.   

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John Watkins
CNC Guitar Parts

Thanks, it's what I needed.
I feared that 'black fiber' was another 'older guy' thing

So does Shane!

Oh ya, and others colours as well (Blue, Red Green and Maple)

Shane

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Canada

I have seen the blue used with stunning results...it outlined a blue paua rosette and backstrip, and inlay on the headstock. It was gorgeous, and tasteful.

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Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

Oh, sorry Shane, I would have certainly mentioned you if I knew

Hey, Shane sells it too

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"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

Shane, do you carry it in strips or is it sheets?

Mike

I keep learning so much. I have been making my own BWB, WBW, RBR purfling with laminated sheets of poster board. Glad to know I can get this from Shane. I had contacted a supplier of note, but orders had to be minimum $200 which is just too large for a small shop like me. Fellow canuck too.

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Greg
http://garibaldiinstruments.com/

[QUOTE=MSpencer] Shane, do you carry it in strips or is it sheets?

Mike[/QUOTE]

Hi Mike (and Greg!)

I have strips that are 64 inches long, 3/16 inches wide and .020 inches thick in Black Fibre, White Fibre, Red Fibre, Green Fibre, and Blue Fibre and in Maple and Mahogany. I have a few sheets in Black, Red, Green and Maple. The sheets are about 6 x 36 x .020. I also have a few sheets that are laminated black dyed pearwood/maple/black dyed pearwood. I think they are 20/20/20, 6 x 36. I will stock more of this stuff if there is an interest. I brought the sheets in mostly for myself to experiment with.

Thanks

Shane

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Canada