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Hello all, How do you dye your ebony fretboards? I already have the mop fret dots installed but would still like to dye it...would masking work or would it bleed into them? Also how do you install the bridge bushings for a tailpiece? In the past I have just used a rubber hammer on the studs to hammer them in place. Is there a better way?

Craig, are you asking about dyeing an ebony fretboard a deeper black or some other type of wood black like ebony. If it's to dye an existing ebony fretboard a more consistent black, I would suggest Fiebings http://shop.fiebing.com/c/leathercraft_dyes_leather-dye

I've only installed a Les Paul style bridge bushing and it was a rubber hammer that I used.

Yes, I'd like to dye an ebony fretboard and headstock overlay so they have a more consistent black. Thank you for the dye suggestion.

I just read about using a drill press to press the bushing in. I may have to give it a try as its a little nerve wracking to pound away on the studs and I worry about missing. I usually put a towel on top in case I miss but I'd hate to put a dent in the top at this point.

Craig, you shouldn't have to pound the bushings in, careful short stroke taps should do the trick. If you have to pound, I would be more worried about splitting or cracking the top than a big dent from an errant misdirected blow.

I should have mentioned that StewMac sells Fiebings leather dye, but if you aren't making a big order it should be available locally from shoe repair places.

The leather dye mentioned can make MOP a tad bluish. But I think most dyes would also.

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

This is how I press in bushings. Depending on how tight the bushing will fit, I file the knurls a little on the bushing and put a little wax on it. I avoid putting wax on the part of the bushing that the ground wire will contact.

This is a 1/2 inch oak dowel with masking tape wrapped around it. I will try to use an old post when pushing the bushing in. By sure to put the dowel all the way up the drill chuck, or it will move when pressing the bushing in.

I just used a deep reach Bessey bar clamp.

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/200371 ... Depth.aspx

Kevin Looker

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I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

for the dye, I would definitely dye before installing inlay, as for the bushings, are you talking about ferrules? At our shop we install ferrules by spraying lacquer in the ferrule holes. After it dries we insert the ferrule via soldering iron slowly. The heat will temporarily liquify the lacquer allowing the ferrules to sit in. After that the lacquer will harden back up sealing them in. The good thing about this way is that if you ever needed to take them out, you can just heat it right back up. Happy crafting!

Randy
-JW Guitars
www.facebook.com/jwguitarsonline

Think about your finishing type. I sand and buff lacquer so installing the bushings before finishing would be difficult to sand and polish around the bushings. On the other hand, you certainly do not want water to seep into the holes and possibly cause swelling and cracks.
I wish the bridge resellers would specify the drill bit size to use for their bushings. Even after measuring the bushing I've ordered the wrong size bit.

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