Staining Ebony...

[Dakota Cues]

Here's a quick 2-part question for you cuemaker types.

It seems like there can be some variation in gaboon ebony color, even in the same piece.

I was wondering if staining the ebony to make it more uniform is a common practice, or if it's been done at a customer's request for a REALLY dark piece.

Also, what do you stain it with to make it dark? I've heard there is a "Dark Walnut" stain (I forget the brand) out there that is about as dark as there is, but I would think that's more of a brown than black?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

 

[QMAKER]

Staining Ebony

Try using an ebony fingerboard stain guitar makers use on ebony. You can get it from Stewart-MacDonald Guitar Supplies (www.stewmac.com).

Bob Flynn/Denali Pool Cues

Here's a quick 2-part question for you cuemaker types.

It seems like there can be some variation in gaboon ebony color, even in the same piece.

I was wondering if staining the ebony to make it more uniform is a common practice, or if it's been done at a customer's request for a REALLY dark piece.

Also, what do you stain it with to make it dark? I've heard there is a "Dark Walnut" stain (I forget the brand) out there that is about as dark as there is, but I would think that's more of a brown than black?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

 

[poolpro]

Try using an ebony fingerboard stain guitar makers use on ebony. You can get it from Stewart-MacDonald Guitar Supplies (www.stewmac.com).

Bob Flynn/Denali Pool Cues

Beat me to it. I am not a cuemaker. I do know it is common practice to use a stain on ebony for guitars. I would assume the same to be true for cues. I was going to give the same info.

Bob, do you use this for cues?


JW

 

[Dakota Cues]

Thanks Bob and Poolpro.

I was wondering if using that formula (which is oil based), would be hard to finish, or is this what pretty much all cuemakers are using?

Thanks again for the response!

 

[Varney Cues]

India ink :wink:

 

[Tony Zinzola]

I don't stain mine. Wood is supposed to have some grain. If somebody insists on something with no grain or variations, why waste a nice piece of wood. You could just build it with double black phenolic.

 

[QMAKER]

Ebony stain

I usually do not stain ebony in a cue. A little figure actually adds to the visual
dimension. I do stain my ebony figure boards--I want them jet black.

Bob Flynn/Denali Pool Cues

Beat me to it. I am not a cuemaker. I do know it is common practice to use a stain on ebony for guitars. I would assume the same to be true for cues. I was going to give the same info.

Bob, do you use this for cues?


JW

 

[Dakota Cues]

I don't stain mine. Wood is supposed to have some grain.

Tony,

I agree, but what I'm saying is that most of the gaboon ebony I've seen in rough stages has some "blonde" streaks to it, or at least a lot more color variation than I've seen (or thought possible) in the vast majority of the finished cues I've seen.

I didn't know if cuemakers were only buying the real even, jet black stuff, or if they are making it even and jet black by staining the blonde out of it.

 

[hangemhigh]

Jet black Ebony is increasingly harder to obtain. For me jet black Ebony inlaid with snow white Ivory cannot be topped.

 

[poolpro]

Tony,

I agree, but what I'm saying is that most of the gaboon ebony I've seen in rough stages has some "blonde" streaks to it, or at least a lot more color variation than I've seen (or thought possible) in the vast majority of the finished cues I've seen.

I didn't know if cuemakers were only buying the real even, jet black stuff, or if they are making it even and jet black by staining the blonde out of it.

Also keep in mind that the clear finish darkens up considerably as well. I would assume that cuemakers try to find wood without blonde streaks whenever possible, or cut it out.

I also believe that the wood tends to darken over time.

Please feel free to correct me for those who know more.

 

[poolpro]

I usually do not stain ebony in a cue. A little figure actually adds to the visual
dimension. I do stain my ebony figure boards--I want them jet black.

Bob Flynn/Denali Pool Cues

Nice, I LOVE ebony fingerboards.


You make guitars? Do you have a link for them, or any more info? I would like to check them out.

Jw

 

[Dakota Cues]

Jet black Ebony is increasingly harder to obtain. For me jet black Ebony inlaid with snow white Ivory cannot be topped.

+1 for me on this, and that's the reasoning behind my question.

Since it does look so good to have that dark/white contrast, I was wondering if the super dark stuff was made by nature, or made that dark by the cuemaker staining it?

Judging by the opinions here, it looks like both ways are an option.

 

[hangemhigh]

+1 for me on this, and that's the reasoning behind my question.

Since it does look so good to have that dark/white contrast, I was wondering if the super dark stuff was made by nature, or made that dark by the cuemaker staining it?

Judging by the opinions here, it looks like both ways are an option.

You can stain Ebony and bleach Ivory. When you use the blackest Ebony and the creamy, whitest Ivory in you cues and then are accused of staining and bleaching you have arrived. Most will not cull the amount
of Ebony you would go through to get the jet black specimens.

 

[jazznpool]

Tap, tap, tap, Tony!

I don't stain mine. Wood is supposed to have some grain. If somebody insists on something with no grain or variations, why waste a nice piece of wood. You could just build it with double black phenolic.

 

[Paul Dayton]

If some visible grain bothers you, the obvious answer is black paint, just like a car. It will be perfect.

 

[RDCustomCues]

I do not stain ebony I guess you could. I have been lucky to have some really nice pieces of ebony. If the customer wants my best ebony it may cost them a bit more. I believe character in wood enhances the uniqueness of the cue.