What is an ebonised fingerboard

[jazzyvee]

I've been toying with the idea of getting a double bass on and off for a few years.  
 
A lot of the cheaper ones I see on ebay have what they call
ebonised fingerboards.
 
What does that mean?
I presume it's  not real ebony at the budget end of the market.
Any idea's?
 
Jazzyvee

[darkstar01]

I've never heard that term before, but I used to have an old German flatback with a rosewood board that was covered in ebony. However, the guy that did the work did a terrible job and I had to get the ebony removed. Maybe that's what it is.  
Austin

[bsee]

I think it involves hardening a lesser wood with chemicals to bring it to the hardness of ebony.  It may even be more of a composite than that.  Lesser woods on a fretless tend to wear grooves under the strings.
 
I vaguely remember a Gibson/Epiphone PRS copy back when PRS became popular that had the same kind of board.

[funkyjazzjunky]

I had a plywood double bass with an 'ebonized' fingerboard.  It was a phenolic board, light colored wood in a resin dyed black.

[keavin]

This link might provide some answers...http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4ADBF_enUS231US231&q=ebonised+fingerboard

[keavin]

this one too...http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4ADBF_enUS231US231&q=ebonised+

[bsee]

Not much, Keavin.  Now, pick through all the links and see if there's something there with actual information and I think you'll be on to something!
 
Always a good idea to do a Google search in these cases, though.

[Bradley Young]

Two countries separated by a common language!
 
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/ebonized
 
First link on google for Ebonized.  It is anything painted or dyed to look like ebony.
 
Unless you're willing to treat this instrument as a disposable toy, I'd not recommend anything that has an ebonized fingerboard; they typically have really poor wood underneath, and cannot be worked on.  There are exceptions to this, of course (I think that the low end Engelhards, for instance, are okay).
 
The cheap basses on ebay generally aren't that good of an idea; the construction quality is terrible, and they have a tendency to fall apart.
 
Bradley

[jazzyvee]

haha what a simple explanation for a grand sounding word. So basically ebonised means just painted black.
 
ho hum, let me shelf that idea for a while and save for something else.
Jazzyvee

[georgie_boy]

Mu Cort Curbow bass has an Ebanol fingerboard. Is this the same thing???
It seems really good to me------but I'm a bit of a geek.
 
G

[hydrargyrum]

I guess that means that Danno has several ebonised alembics then, doesn't it?  

[dannobasso]

That could be a new option for a custom finish.
Also available in opaque ebonized pigment saturation finish under space age polyester final coating!
 
Oh! You mean black! Makes sense now.
 
 
Dutifully yours, patiently waiting for my ebonized fraternal twins,
Danno
 
You know, for only pennies a day....... you could sponsor a refusing to grow up child with their Alembic addiction. Just call the number on the screen and we'll send you a photo and an mp3 of the child using the bass or guitar. Help stop the emotional strain of paying and waiting for these instruments with a generous donation today. Act now and get an autographed copy of School Days along with some disguarded EZwiders from the 74 Dead tour.

[hankster]

Jazzyvee, you've probably already figured this out, but fingerboard aside, take your time, save your pennies (euros now I guess) and get a carved real wood bass rather than a plywood bass.  The difference is overwhelmingly worth the extra cost that a decent carved bass carries with it.
 
Good luck!
 
Rick

[lbpesq]

Danno:
 
I can assure you that all the EZwiders from the '74 Dead tour were put to good use long ago. hehehehe
 
Hey, I just bought an ebonized 2001 Toyota Highlander last week!
 
Bill, tgo

[Bradley Young]

Ebanol (ebonol?) is something different-- like a black plastic or something.  Not painted wood.