Ebony fretboard - difficult for first attempt??

axisus

I'm attempting my first neck build at the moment, and wanted an ebony fretboard, but I'm having reservations now having looked into it a bit. It seems that ebony is harder to do? Fret slots need chamfering a bit to get frets in etc. Is it a bad idea? I guess I could use rosewood and stain it dark.

Any thoughts appreciated.

octatonic

It is a bit harder but it isn't an order of magnitude harder.

Just make sure that you are very sharp when planing.

I like using a cabinet scraper.

Chamfer the frets with a triangular diamond file- I do this with every wood.

I would go for it (indeed I am, at the moment).

Misterg

As someone who did it on my 1st and only guitar build, I'd say go for it, if that's what you want to do. It is bloomin' hard though - the fret slots need to be just right, but that will be something of an issue whatever you use.

Nothing looks or feels as good, IMHO.

Andyjr1515

I agree - go for it.  As Octatonic says, you should run across the slot with a triangular file anyway to reduce the chances of the edges splitting when you hammer the frets in.  In my view it is absolutely no more difficult than other fretboard woods.  It is, however, exceptionally dirty dust - keep the hoover handy!

streethawk

Black bogey time...

axisus

Thanking ye kindly good gentlemen, confident after advice, I shall pursue ebony with all the vigour I can muster (first time I've used that phrase in a non-porn setting!)

ArchtopDave

Ebony can be a bit odd as a wood. I found it can chip like coal does, but then it's usually easy enough to glue any chips back with SuperGlue.

Jaden

I actually think ebony is easier to work than rosewood.. sands, cuts, planes a little easier as its not as oily.

WezV

its much easier to hide any mistakes you do make

as others have said, run a triangle file along the slot whichever wood you use