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i just got a fingerboard from the martin factory and i'm wondering how they get their ebony to such a fine black. Since ebony is not perfectly black i know that some people stain or dye it black with leather dye or something. I'm looking to darken my Madagascar Ebony fingerboard but i don't know what method to use. What works the best for you guys?

andrew 

Good ebony should be completly black espesialy if its madagascan.

However the lower grade stuff is very often streaked with grey (anything
over a B grade should be pretty much fine black with out streaks) to
varying degrees.
When you work the wood the streaks will disipate slightly.
when the fingerboard is in service with a light coat of oil they will be no
where near as noticable as when the fingerboard was in its raw state.

you can dye the fingerboards and most of the large factorys do just this
when using low grade fingerboards.
i think stu mac do a good fingerboard dye and have also hear of people
using shoe polish but i have only used higher grade ebony on my own
guitars so i cant comment on this.

i am sure someone else will know the best products to use.

i just wated to point out that high grade ebony shouldent need any dyes
or staining to make it completly black but be prepard to pay a much as
$35 for a high grade madagascan ebony fingerboard.
indian eony is a very fine alternative and you can just as good results with
less financial outlay (say $20 for a good one).
African ebony is third on my list. this stuffi s notorius for streaking.
even an a grade african is only as good as most b grade indian ebony
fingerboards.
as such i try not to supply african unless someone specificaly askes for it

good luck,
and be sure to let us k ow your results.

joel.

Andrew buddy Stew-Mac sells this stuff and it will make a fret board, head plate, etc. jet black.

You can often find Fiebings at leather and shoe repair shops. I get it from a shoe repair shop down the road from me. I have a friend who uses it on his harpsichord flats & sharps too, and it works quite well.

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Eschew obfuscation, espouse elucidation.

India Ink works well. Black hair dye works to.

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