Click on Bridge Blanks - More Items & Info to see dimensions.
Ebony Update: Please note!
As of the printing of our latest catalog, we were still reasonably sure that we could procure good Madagascar Ebony, the darkest and densest Ebony, though we were warned that availability was waning and that prices were rising.
The situation has now grown worse. Upon receiving our most recent order, our suppliers informed us that the high price of this wood is non-negotiable and that this excellent wood may no longer be an economically feasible choice for guitar fingerboards. This is due to the Madagascar government’s new export restrictions which were recently placed on all wood mills based in Madagascar.
For this reason, we will now begin re-introducing African ebony (also known as Gabon Ebony -from West Africa) as an alternative. This wood has been a standard in many factory guitars in Europe and America and for many builders it is preferred because it is easier to work and is more stable than the Madagascar Ebony. On the down side, it is rarely pure-black. Our 1st grade West African bridge blanks are the best available, but will often exhibit the subtle grey mottling that is indicative of West African Ebony.
For those who require jet-black bridge blanks, use either our FD fingerboard dye or the FFOA fingerboard oil to darken the wood.
We will continue to offer Madagascar ebony when we can get it, but unfortunately, the prices will reflect this new scarcity.
Note: Our ”2nd grade” bridge blanks will have bold, uneven streaking and/or gray patches. These bridge blanks can be dyed black (use our FD fingerboard dye), but many luthiers like their ’natural wood’ appearance for the character it lends to the instrument. Some 2nd grade bridge blanks will have a few, very small worm holes that can be easily filled.
Click on Bridge Blanks - More Items & Info to see dimensions.
