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So I've endeavored to build an instrument. Not a guitar but an electric cello.

I've drawn up the plans and in searching for materials I'm running into the problem of getting a piece of raw ebony that's big enough for the fingerboard. Simply put, I can't afford the ebony so I'm looking at alternatives for the fingerboard.

I'll be using maple for the body and neck. Some wood alternatives I've considered. I'd prefer not to use a dye to darken anything (personal preference)

Walnut
Maple
Jatoba
1/4 sawn White Oak (might be interesting)

I'm fairly decided on maple for the body and neck (that's where most of the very limited budget went).

Any thoughts welcome.

there are other hard woods that can work for this. Pear apply are hard and can be dyed black.
persimmon if you can find a piece may work and hard maple may work also .

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

Brazilian Ebony
Jatoba
IPE

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Ken

What about something like this?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ebony-Cello-Fin ... 2154976848

Those are typically pre scalloped at the far end of the board. My layout won't really work with this. Plus those typically are not well dried and usually wind up as ebony potato chips.

Fumed QS white oak!

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

Padauk, Bocote, Zircote, Curapay, Zebrano...
Find a wood hardness chart. This may provide some other suitable candidates.

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wah
Wah-wah-wah-wah
Wah

Wenge?

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

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Pat

tx osage orange. or mesquite You can stain it with vinegar/ steel wool. and also carve the tailpiece for a cello. You can also make all the other fittings , nut , bridge, pegs etc, Pegs are way cheaper for vln parts from china on e bay.

Wenge would be nice, as Pat said, especially if you fill the pores with CA

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust