Which one is better?

[white_cloud]

I am amazed nobody ever seems to go for a Cocobolo fingerboard folks - believe me the one I have is very thick and resonates like metal.
 
I believe Cocobolo to be a better fingerboard material than Rosewood, Ebony and Maple in many ways.
 
It seems as if it is harder than any fingerboard I have had before. For slap players it has a sublime attack!
 
John.

[dwmark]

Mica told me (when we were talking over my custom) that a lot of people have sensitivity to coco fingerboards (as the wood isn't sealed).  If you know you don't have sensitivity, it sounds like a great wood.
 
dw

[white_cloud]

I would not want to argue with Mica but on hearing this advice here at the club forum before I put it to the luthier who does my builds and he said it was very rare to have a bad reaction to a Cocobolo fingerboard.
 
I guess its horses for courses - I have never had any type of bad reaction from my fingerboard! It Definitely makes a noticeable differnce to the tone of the instrument as in most cases Cocobolo is a fair bit harder then Ebony!

[jacko]

here's an interesting wood toxicity site that seems to agree with Mica's statements.
 
Graeme

[white_cloud]

Well - my fingers aint telling me no lies!
 
I am sure that Mica is right in certain circumstances for SOME people - I dont like statements like right and wrong ...each person must find their own right and wrong.
 
Brian May was ridiculed for using Oak as one of the primary woods on his homemade guitar (because the snobby purists insist it cannot be used as a tonewood) before Queen became famous - but it sounded good enough to millions of Queen fans.
 
Ebony IS a wonderful fingerboard choice, however, by limiting limit your choice to Maple Rosewood or Ebony you miss the chance to find out the qualities of other options.
 
If it works for you as an individual...it works for you.  
 
I heartily recomend Cocobolo as a fingerboard..players should give it a try!
 
John.

[georgie_boy]

Well said John!!

[georgie_boy]

Is Cocobolo really harder than Ebony?

[jacko]

Alembic have used many different woods as fingerboards including Purpleheart and CocoBolo. Here's on of my personal favourites in snakewood.

 
Graeme

[white_cloud]

George - on average for a piece of kiln dried timber of 12-15% moisture content Cocobolo will be anything up to 20% heavier than Ebony. Further to this Cocobolo will, in many instances, usually be harder than ebony.
 
This is in no way an exact science as each individual piece of wood has its own characteristics - but it is a good guide!
 
There are many good books on the market about the properties and suitability of a wide selection of hard and soft woods. As an experienced furniture designer and builder (and now budding instrument luthier) I rely on the book 100 woods by Peter Bishop...an exceptional read!
 
John.

[georgie_boy]

Looks awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!
Graeme, what sound would that tend to imprt on the instrument..if any?
What about the wear factor?

[jacko]

Don't know George. It was built for sale at station music in Germany. There's a comment in the COTM archive that suggests it's as dense as ebony so I'd guess it would sound similar and wear at the same rate.
I have to say, even with roundwounds and being gigged twice a month (with rehearsals in between), the ebony fingerboard on my fretless rogue still shows minimal wear, even after nearly 4 years. (and more to the point, I love the sound).
 
Graeme

[white_cloud]

Graeme, Ebony fretless boards should stand up to roundwound string use with ease for many many years!
 
I love that Snakewood board..very sexy!
 
John.

[georgie_boy]

Thanks gentlemen!
I'm learning something new every day....and I like that!
 
G

[tmoney61092]

wow, no i want to get one with snakewood just for the look, as john said, very sexy!