New batch teaser

[Rupe]

Yeah, tone is subjective. But there are standards in place as to what is actually desirable in an effective guitar tone. I've had students (and seen bands) who thought it sounded great to scoop all of the mids out of their tone with a graphic EQ. Although it is their version of "good", it would never sit in a mix properly and would most likely be nearly inaudible in a live situation...and that's not subjective. I am comfortable calling tones like that "bad" regardless of the subjective nature.

Same with ebony...it adds none of the qualities that the majority of guitarists, including those who claim to love the sound of ebony boards, look for in a performing and recording guitar. Maybe there are a few tin-eared players out there who say they like what it adds, but as a general rule most players would not (even if they don't know it).

Look at my interview from '08 with Rand Havener (search "Rand") for another "opinion".

[Matt_B]

Yeah, tone is subjective. But there are standards in place as to what is actually desirable in an effective guitar tone.

What is "desirable" is subjective and context dependent.

I've had students (and seen bands) who thought it sounded great to scoop all of the mids out of their tone with a graphic EQ. Although it is their version of "good", it would never sit in a mix properly and would most likely be nearly inaudible in a live situation...and that's not subjective. I am comfortable calling tones like that "bad" regardless of the subjective nature.

...and you are entitled to your opinion of what you consider "bad" and "good" as far as tone goes but in the end, it's just your opinions and not a universal standard that applies to everyone else.

Look at my interview from '08 with Rand Havener (search "Rand") for another "opinion".

Ok, I found it and read his reply that included a reference to ebony and my opinion about using ebony as a fingerboard wood hasn't changed. Actually, there is nothing that anyone could say that would change my opinion on this matter because I like what I like and if it works for me, I use it. If it doesn't work, I don't.

[Rupe]

You're nitpicking. I'm talking about for the majority of applications. There's always gonna be somebody who has tastes that are far out and unique. Somebody who thinks ebony has a pleasant tone is the same type of person who craves a hot tuna sundae.

Even with your love of ebony boards, can you say that you know you wouldn't like the guitar better with rosewood or maple? You love ebony in spite of its tone, not because of it...you just don't want to know or believe it.

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

I would be hard pressed to call the difference in tone between ebony, rosewood, or maple as requiring someone with "far out or unique" tastes.

It really makes very little difference in any case.

[Rupe]

I would be hard pressed to call the difference in tone between ebony, rosewood, or maple as requiring someone with "far out or unique" tastes.

It really makes very little difference in any case.

I used to think that too but it makes a bigger difference than you think. You're missing my point with that quote as well...taken out of context, you would be correct. I'm simply stating that most people wouldn't care for the tonal traits of ebony if they knew what they were and could pinpoint them...not something that can be easily done.

[Matt_B]

You're nitpicking. I'm talking about for the majority of applications. There's always gonna be somebody who has tastes that are far out and unique. Somebody who thinks ebony has a pleasant tone is the same type of person who craves a hot tuna sundae.

I'm sorry if you feel I'm nitpicking but don't agree with your opinion, that's all. I just trying to offer an alternative viewpoint that I feel is more objective.

Even with your love of ebony boards, can you say that you know you wouldn't like the guitar better with rosewood or maple? You love ebony in spite of its tone, not because of it...you just don't want to know or believe it.

I have A/B the same guitar through the same rig with necks that had 2 different fingerboards - one maple and the other rosewood. I heard a subtle difference between the 2. Others may hear more or a difference or less of difference. We're dealing with sound and tone which besides being subjective is also difficult to standardize because people hear things, especially subtle things differently.

As a fingerboard wood, ebony has worked for me in the past and continues to work for me in the present. I have a couple guitars (an Adamas and a custom super strat) with ebony boards and both guitars sound good to me.

Would they still sound good with different fingerboard woods? Yes, I bet they would.

Would they sound exactly the same? No, probably not exactly the same.

Would they sound better or worse? Neither. They would just sound different.

When it comes right down to it, I don't chose a fingerboard for its tonal qualities. I chose it for its aestethics. The subtle difference in tone between fingerboards is so minor to my ears that I don't bother concerning myself with it.

[Grandturk]

I'm simply stating that most people wouldn't care for the tonal traits of ebony if they knew what they were and could pinpoint them...not something that can be easily done.

So, what are the tonal characteristics of ebony?

[ejpii]

So, what are the tonal characteristics of ebony?

http://www.jemsite.com/jem/wood.htm

Check out the tonal characteristics on this page.

[Grandturk]

http://www.jemsite.com/jem/wood.htm

Check out the tonal characteristics on this page.

Sounds pretty good to me...

Ebony:
Ebony has a snappy, crisp attack with the density of Maple, but with more brittle grains, oilier pores, and a stronger fundamental tone than Maple. It has a tremendous amount of percussive overtones in the pick attack, that mute out shortly thereafter to foster great, long, sustain.

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

I used to think that too but it makes a bigger difference than you think. You're missing my point with that quote as well...taken out of context, you would be correct. I'm simply stating that most people wouldn't care for the tonal traits of ebony if they knew what they were and could pinpoint them...not something that can be easily done.

No, in the context of a fingerboard's worth of wood, it does not make much difference. That has been my experience.

I also can't really make sense of how ebony would sound bad on an electric, but sound good on an acoustic.

If your point is that an electric guitar made entirely of ebony would not sound good, I'm in agreement. It would be too bright for me, at least.

However, you seem to be making the case that because ebony in and of itself does not have a pleasing tone, this can only mean that adding ebony to a guitar brings negative tonal qualities, which is not necessarily true. :dunno:

[Matt_B]

It's also worth mentioning that ebony, especially good looking black-as-night ebony, is difficult to acquire, expensive when it can be found, and difficult to work with when compared to other fingerboard woods.

While some builders may choose not to use it on the instruments they offer because they personally don't like how it sounds, I would bet that there is more to their decision to not offer ebony as an option then their personal tastes.

[beachjammer]

and what about that teaser video..... :O)

[ejpii]

All this because I said I like ebony fingerboards :think:



:ROTF:


You guys crack me up!

[Matt_B]

All this because I said I like ebony fingerboards :think:
:ROTF: You guys crack me up!

Some threads take on a life of their own.

[Jacksonguy666]

Some threads take on a life of their own.

Yeah, I dont know how many of you remember my first thread, that was almost a mini blazer thread. And don't even get me started on the Blazer thread.