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PostPosted: Sun Jun 11, 2006 1:45 am 
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Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Fri Jun 02, 2006 2:31 am
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Location: United States
Just bought that Ebony set from last weeks special from Allied and was wondering if anyone has used African Ebony back and sides. Which glue, thickness of sides for bending?


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PostPosted: Sun Jun 11, 2006 2:14 am 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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I'm not totally sure as wood for sets like that are really uncommon. I'd be
very careful as ebony tends to be very brittle, and likes to warp. too thin
and I bet you'd have cracking problems, too thick and it will be really
heavy. My guess would bend the sides at .075, and the back would end
up (if it is an OM sized guitar) about .070

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PostPosted: Sun Jun 11, 2006 3:03 am 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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I have 4 sets of QS Ebony with some nice grey streaks that are really staying nice and flat. I would think that any of the traditional glues (HHG, Titebond or LMI white) should work well. Hot temp 325 or so and .075 thickness should work well.

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PostPosted: Sun Jun 11, 2006 4:44 am 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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I have never used African Ebony, but I have made 3 guitars from Mac Ebony.
I bent the sides at 0.085. I used standard titebond

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PostPosted: Sun Jun 11, 2006 5:59 am 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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The ebony sets sold by Allied are Indian ebony.

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PostPosted: Sun Jun 11, 2006 6:23 am 
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Cocobolo
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Location: United States
Thanks Howard, you are right it is Indian Ebony. It definitley seems less britle and less oily


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PostPosted: Sun Jun 11, 2006 10:20 am 
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Contributing Member
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I have built classicals from macassar ebony as well as indian ebony, usually when people have wanted African Blackwood and I couldnt find an affordable set in a quality needed to build with.

Macassar is easier to work with than Indian black ebony but as long as it is thin enough to bend and if you are using a heat blanket and fox style bender it should work fine. I have not tried hand bending but as with other woods can be stiffer to bend, just go slower with higher heat (without burning).

Are you using it for a classical or a steel string?


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PostPosted: Sun Jun 11, 2006 11:35 am 
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Cocobolo
Cocobolo

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Location: United States
I am actually building only resophonics until the end of the summer to get ready for a festival. So I guess I will do Ebony back & sides and a maple top and neck. It should look cool.


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PostPosted: Sun Jun 11, 2006 7:34 pm 
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Koa
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AR and PVA work on ebony fretboards...no reason it shouldnt work for
your applications.


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