How can you tell what version of ebony is on your cue
- Thread starter bbb
- Start date
From my understanding, you are morelikely to get golden streaks out of gaboon ebony, simply because the ebony taken from madagascar was typically all black, or it was left to rot.
Watch the following video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anCGvfsBoFY
Also, if you are trying to match existing ebony, you are not going to have any luck. Every tree is different, and the cue will look frankenstein-esk.
Watch the following video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anCGvfsBoFY
Also, if you are trying to match existing ebony, you are not going to have any luck. Every tree is different, and the cue will look frankenstein-esk.
ebony
Maccaser ebony has some golden or light brown streaks. Gaboon ebony is jet black.
Maccaser ebony has some golden or light brown streaks. Gaboon ebony is jet black.
Gaboon ebony is not all jet black. I would say about 1 out of 10 trees that are cut down have the dark black with no streaks the other 9 trees that are cut have black with streaks. Taylor guitars bought the rights to one of the last know places that has gaboon ebony and that is what they found out. They now use all the ebony with or without streaks for their guitars.
Have you bought any gaboon ebony lately? What I use to get for $10 now cost me $50 and the nice black pieces are in there but not as many as I used to get. Gaboon ebony is an endangered species.
I would say you got the 2 backwards. Although we have all seen the streaks in both woods you will see it much more in Macassar Ebony. It is known to have the white or yellow streaks in it. Madagascar and Macassar also are two different species but I think often named incorrectly. Also I walked into a local Woodcraft for Lacquer last week and they had a whole pile of Gaboon Ebony. All solid black.
Well, SOME Gaboon is all jet black - but much is not, and the totally black stock
is much more rare now.
FWIW - I unintentionally did something brilliant about 25 years ago. Bought a 'billet' of
Ebony that came from Sri Lanka. I was later to learn that the BEST black Ebony is that
from Sri Lanka. And yes, I do still have a good bit of it - genius me.
Of course, they don't export any anymore.
Dale
This is why it is called "Ask the Cuemaker".
You are correct that macassar ebony (Diospyros celebica) is typically heavily stripped in comparrison to it's African relatives.
I had assumed that bbb was refering to Madagascan Ebony due to the spelling. Thus my youtube reference.
I appologize for not being a recognised master cuemaker.
My experience has led me to believe ebony differs quite drastically depending on where it's from. I prefer Madagascar ebony because it's light weight and pingy like a lightweight rosewood but pure black. Gabon or Gaboon often has light streaks but is also often pure black, and always rather heavy and a bit dull toned. Asian and Macassar are rarely black, always heavy. IMO, the best comes from Madagascar, because it's well suited for cues in the way of weight and tonal characteristics. The problem is that it's virtually impossible to get anymore.
Your Ceylon Ebony certainly is the best there is. Much finer grained and beautiful color. Have just a bit left that is only big enough for inlays myself. You are a lucky man it seems.