Looks GREAT! Also, I love how you admit your mistakes! So many KZreadrs seem to only show their successes and hide their "oopsie" moments.

@TheTapeFarm

2 жыл бұрын

Mistakes are all part of the process of learning. Mistakes are often the only evidence of some actually trying. Thanks for the encouragement.

Best video on this subject! Turned out awesome. India Ink works best, because like you said, it rolls off the plastic

Useful, probably being water-based ink helps prevent staining of the pearl and binding. Great result.

I know lots of people have used India Ink ti "ebonize" fret-boards, but consider that this ink is just carbon black and a gum binder. I can't see that it should be considered permanent, as it doesn't get absorbed into the wood to any great extent unless it's an open pore wood (like oak) that is not used for fret-boards. It does have the advantage of not staining frets, bindings or inlays. The alternative is leather dye...and anyone who owns a black leather jacket does not worry about the black rubbing off! Anyone attempting to dye any fret-board should wipe it down first with naptha (lighter fluid) the remove as much surface oils as possible. The apply a couple of coats of leather dye that is alcohol or solvent based. This will penetrate deeper than a water based dye. Note that the solvent based dye will include a sort of lacquer, that helps bind it to the surface, without making it shiny like varnish. Use gloves when working with these dyes...even when not toxic (ie: India Ink), they will stain fingers black for weeks...better staining than on the wood!

@TheTapeFarm

2 ай бұрын

Oiling the board after using the India ink is the key. All other points are valid and helpful. Thanks!

Just tried this out on my Schecter Hellraiser and the results are phenomenal. Even if it doesn't last, the process is so risk free and quick, I wouldn't mind reapplying every string change. Thank you!

@Dreamdancer11

11 ай бұрын

It lasts as long as you want it to last....i have used in the past fiebings leather dye from stewmac and the result is jet black BUT for a week it smelled horrible.After you clean all the excess it doesnt rub off but if you want it out a light sandpaper rub(500 grit or above) ll take it out completely.

I have used Kiwi Black leather dye to "ebonize" a couple of fretboards with great success. I LOVE my FFHB.

@ClownForce0ne

Жыл бұрын

Did the dye stick to inlays or binding? hope not,,i have plastic inlays i think

Liberon spirit wood dye works well on oily hard wood such as pau ferro and walnut. Apply beeswax to feed and protect it. Water based dye wears off over time, so I don't use that anymore.

@TheTapeFarm

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the info!!

The neck looks stunning, I've watched many videos on KZread, some using leather dye. Yours without doubt looks the best. I have a Rory Gallagher Strat and the rosewood fretboard isn't dark enough, compared to Rory's 61. Great video dude, thank you!

I love that! Your guitar looks beautiful! My FFLPS was terribly dried-out looking, so removed all strings and got some cleaner/prep Fender stuff as step one. Step two was a thick layer of what oil was lying around wer conditioner (though I usually use lemon oil). Wow, with those lookin' and playing well, your audience won't know the difference!

Looks stunning. Hope they bring these back. I gave the Grote, but this looks like a much better quality.

Hey nice work all around! Actually tuned in for the fingerboard stain because I'm thinking of getting an older Epi LP Custom as a project guitar. Especially liked the bridge mod.

You are a really good player! Great timing.

@TheTapeFarm

Жыл бұрын

You are too kind. Thank you. Malcolm Young is my hero.

Not a criticism, but the staining part is simple and fast - once you get to that part. The real key is the prep so that the board takes the stain properly. Also, fine sanding of the board with the grain makes the surface of the rosewood look more like ebony. Kudos for using india ink instead of Varathane or other stains!

I tried it on my Strat but the ink wear off easily and the ink gets onto my fingers. Because I have a sweaty palm. So, if your hands sweats alot, you may wanna skip this. But that fretboard looks beautiful.

@lfader

Жыл бұрын

Good head's up👍 I'll stick to F1 oil mineral oil and leave it at that ...

Does the ink come off onto your fingers when you're playing it? It turned out amazing. I was thinking about using "Old English" for dark woods on my "Ibanez, Gio" It has a "Purple Heart Fretboard. But if that Indian Ink works without coming off on your fingers I may go that rout. Thanks for sharing your video. Again, your guitar looks amazing with all your mods. Peace.. Joe

@TheTapeFarm

7 ай бұрын

Didn’t have any problem with the ink coming off. Just oil the fretboard after the ink dries.

@thebluesrockers

7 ай бұрын

@@TheTapeFarm So, you did or didn't before the oil?

@Rahmalho

4 ай бұрын

Have you done It? I'm thinking to do the same with my Gio 😅

@TheTapeFarm

4 ай бұрын

@@Rahmalho sorry… typo on my response. I DIDN’T have any issues.

@thebluesrockers

4 ай бұрын

@@Rahmalho "Old English" for Dark Woods works amazing. I even used the "Old English" than wasn't for Dark Woods on my Maple neck Stratocaster and it did the best job that I've ever tried. That product is amazing. I'll never use anything else. Let me know if you try it. 1. it doesn't stain fret markers or binding. 2. doesn't feel overly greasy after you use it. 3. Darkens "Purple Heart" Rosewood" and other fretboard woods to a natural darker brown. The "Original Old English" helps to lightly condition and restore "Maple" fretboards too. It's a no brainer. Just try it and if it doesn't perform for you like you wish then try something else down the road. It's made for wood and there's no way it can damage you fretboard either. So easy to work with too.

Turned out great ! Awesome job !

The neck looks great. Going to do that to a pau ferro fretboard. Hey, by the way, I live in Hamilton Canada. I'm not the guy you referred to in the video though. Just thought, what a small world!!!! Cheers from Canada.

@Dannafilms96

2 жыл бұрын

How did that go? Some say that wood is too hard to stain correctly?

Did the fretboard not have some kind of sealer on it from the factory?? It looked quite shiney. All of my guitars wouldn't take stain or dye without sanding down to bare wood.

How long did you let the ink sit on the fretboard for initially before wiping excess off and how long did you leave it before applying the second coat? Just ordered some ink to do this, so thanks in advance for any additional tips you can share.

@TheTapeFarm

2 жыл бұрын

Just a few minutes. After I got it to the color I wanted I let sit for 24 hours. Then wiped it down again before putting the strings on.

That is awesome. Thanks for the demonstration

Nice, now ebonize the bridge!

@TheTapeFarm

2 жыл бұрын

Good idea.

Looks good

I’m curious how it’s holding up since it’s been 10 months ago now you did it.

I tried this method and it works great, the India ink dries up very fast however it is not so easy to get it off the inlays. After wiping them clean they look very dull and darker than before. I even tried spiritus which helps a bit, but not fully. Anybody has an idea on how to get those inlays clean and sparkling again?

wow that worked out great. some with bigger pores dont turn out that black. this one took it amazingly. was this only one coat?

I've seen that bridge style before. It was on an old Russian guitar that Tim Sway refurbished on his channel. Darker fretboard looks good and the turtle-shell pickguard just looks right. Cheers Btw: Is that a real Rick on the wall behind or a "like a Rick"? I've been looking for a reasonably priced one.

@WW-1995

3 жыл бұрын

Thought the same, I remember seeing it on his soviet-era guitar refurbishing project. Also, I saw that kind of bridge on sales on Aliexpress.

Wow that's cool

I like both Fret boards ! haha. I like my fireflys pale FB... but i also like what you did here. I may just buy another FF guitar and do this to the FB. One thing i like about the paler FB is its easier to see onstage to me in certain lighting. I know that sounds crazy, but its not. If you have two fire flys and have done this to one of them. Go into a dark area with both guitars and youll notice even a little bit of light will allow the paler FB to be seen. What did you use to oil your FB ? Thanks for the video :-)

That is a gorgeous guitar. I missed those, did you get it on guitars garden? My first thought was why not just use a sharpie? Not sure if that's a good idea or a dumb.... I am a firefly guy now, I have a red ES semi hollow, the LP special double cut, the SG, and an orange LP that I turned into a poor man's slash model with some zebra pickups & knobs with the metal inserts & a Slash signature truss rod cover, really happy with it now. Good video thanks

Just a tip: if using India ink on a guitar with a bone nut, you should tape off the nut.

Won't the India ink come off while playing, especially when your left hand gets sweaty? I saw someone use caustic soda once that worked really well but, again, I don't know what happens with these substances/chemicals once we starting playing the fretboard.

@TheTapeFarm

11 ай бұрын

Hasn’t come off yet, a few years down the road. Your mileage may vary.

Did this on my strat neck looks amazing

Looks great!

what about a neck without binding? would i have to worry about the stain messing up the neck since id have to stain the side of the fretboard? i have a iyv tf300 that i want to do this to.

@TheTapeFarm

Жыл бұрын

As long as it has some finish on it it should be fine. But I would test it in a inconspicuous spot first.

Hey Keith--stain job looks fantastic! Well done! Was the fretboard rosewood or pao ferro? I have a pao ferro neck on a strat I'd like to stain but I've seen a bunch of vids saying pao ferro doesn't take stain very well--very dense wood.

@TheTapeFarm

3 жыл бұрын

The firefly has a rosewood neck. Not sure about Poa Ferro. Maybe try on the little overhang at the base of the neck and see how it goes. Clean it really good and take some steel wool to it. Maybe that will open up up the grain a bit.

Looks good. I would have ebonized the bridge to match.

@TheTapeFarm

6 ай бұрын

DOH!!! Now you tell me!! 😜

Thats one dynamic git box

@stuntmaster127

3 жыл бұрын

Vibe and all

Dude, after painting the fretboard have you had problems with the color? What maintenance do you recommend? the paint has fallen off??

@TheTapeFarm

2 жыл бұрын

Haven’t had any issues. It’s not a paint. Is ink. So it seeps into the wood, like a stain. Once it dries, It’s permanent. Haven’t had any issues whatsoever.

Hi, what fretboard oil did you use after applying the India ink? Thanks

Unlike most guitar players you can actually play really good bass!

@TheTapeFarm

2 жыл бұрын

Ha… I’m actually more of a natural bass player. That’s what I played in most bands I was in. Thanks.

Did you sand the fret board? Sorry if you covered that and I missed it. That's something I DON'T want to do. If you got this result without it, then I'm totally doing this.

@TheTapeFarm

5 ай бұрын

I did not. Just cleaned it with some isopropyl alcohol

@lex.cordis

5 ай бұрын

@@TheTapeFarm thanks!

Can you share the link for the ink? Thank you for making the video, is the best content I've found!

@TheTapeFarm

2 жыл бұрын

The stuff I used is no longer on Amazon. That being said I’d guess any India ink will do the job.

@TheTapeFarm

2 жыл бұрын

Found it… I had put a link in the description when I made the video…. www.amazon.com/dp/B083XXTLBV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_CBHTC3P2E65ERRBXSK0A

@JoseFigarella

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheTapeFarm Yes you did! thank you! I just ordered it!

Was the white binding on the neck easy to be cleaned from the ink?

@TheTapeFarm

Жыл бұрын

Yes. Wiped right off.

Winning would really get me out of this funky depression. Ahh it is life

@DK00018

3 жыл бұрын

I hear yea.

This might sound like a dumb question but how do you clean the frets after ebonizing the freatborad?

@jasonpick9882

2 жыл бұрын

Just do it normally like how you do it everytime but make sure that you leave it dry out completely after applying the ink before you start playing or clean it should take 2-4 days

3:35 this music reminds me of a green ipad with some cheap headphones on it and a pair of hands with a strong aussie accent

I know this has been done a long time ago... but I think Monty's expresso Relic wax would of looked better on the fretboard.

@TheTapeFarm

Жыл бұрын

Never heard of that. I’ll check it out. Thanks.

9 months later, how is it holding up? I would love to hear your thoughts on the project as I may use the information in the future!

@TheTapeFarm

2 жыл бұрын

Very well. I played it for a couple of hours last week on a project. Still looks great nothing bleeding onto my fingers or anything else.

@TheMidnightModder

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheTapeFarm That's what I like to hear! Thank you 😁

@adamgreenhill110

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheTapeFarm That's awesome, I think I'll choose this for my necks! Rather than the expensive Minwax pen that only lasts a few coats

Love the video. No offense, but when you were narrating, it reminded me of The Red Green Show.

@TheTapeFarm

Жыл бұрын

Ha! I’ve been called worse.

@cajunboy2k

Жыл бұрын

@The Tape Farm If she don't find you handsome, she should at least find you handy.

@TheTapeFarm

Жыл бұрын

@@cajunboy2k perfect.

GREAR ONE 15TH LIKE BTW😂

dig it! hope I win that giveaway.

Does it come off on your fingers while you’re playing?

Can you please give us a step by step on ebonizing the fretboard? Thank you.

@TheTapeFarm

3 жыл бұрын

1) clean the fretboard with alcohol/nafta or similar cleaner to get all the dirt, grease and grime off. 2) apply India ink starting at the headstock 3) when you get to the end of the fretboard, go back to the top and wipe off excess ink with a clean cloth. 4) asses if you want a second coat, if so, repeat steps 2 and 3. 5) let fretboard dry completely (couple of hours I think is what I did) apply your choice of fretboard conditioner, I used lemon oil. 6) admire your work.

Is it still ebonized? Does it come off after a lot of playing?

Does the paint stick to your fingers after playing?

@TheTapeFarm

2 жыл бұрын

After a day or so there was nothing coming off the fretboard.

@warcrow2128

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheTapeFarm Thanks for the response!

does it rub off on fingers after playing?

@TheTapeFarm

2 ай бұрын

Nope. Just let it dry, a coat or two of oil, let that dry, good to go.

Did it worn out with time? Did it come out on your fingers?

@TheTapeFarm

2 жыл бұрын

Nope. Still going strong.

@JoseFigarella

2 жыл бұрын

Good to hear! I have an SRV and for whatever reason they used pao ferro :/

Can you put a link of the india ink you bought

You didn't need to sand the fretboard first? Anyone?

@TheTapeFarm

2 жыл бұрын

Nope. Just make sure it’s clean and dry. Keep in mind I only had the guitar a couple of days so there wasn’t and dirt or oils on it. Your guitar might need to be cleaned more or sanded. Every situation is different.

@Dannafilms96

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheTapeFarm Oh okay sick as! I am planning on getting a new sunburst strat with a rosewood but all the stock these days seems to have very light rose wood so I will be doing the same! Looks so much better! Cheers for the fast reply too! One more question, is iso alright o use to dry it? Or turpentine or something else?

@TheTapeFarm

2 жыл бұрын

@@Dannafilms96 I just used isopropyl alcohol, 91%. I knew that would completely evaporate and not leave any residue.

@Dannafilms96

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheTapeFarm Is it important to apply the oil after this process? Or could I wait to get some oil another day?

@TheTapeFarm

2 жыл бұрын

@@Dannafilms96 I waited about a week and then applied oil, let it soak in for about 20 min then wiped off what was left. It’s been very stable.

didn't know Thomas the Tank Engine was a thing in America!

@TheTapeFarm

2 жыл бұрын

Yup… but notice we turned him into a tank.

@paulcrawford1108

2 жыл бұрын

british trains are always late

People it’s wood! Stain it! With stain, not as messy!

I thought this would stain the binding? I need to ebonize my laurel fingerboard Soloist SLX 👍

Sanding the fretboard is not needed?

@TheTapeFarm

3 жыл бұрын

It wasn’t needed for me. I think that might be because the guitar was essentially brand new. If it had a few years of use on it, that might be a different story.

what was the fretboard initially?

@TheTapeFarm

Жыл бұрын

The rosewood was very pale. I just darkened it to make it look more like ebony.

its darker, but not ebony. So india ink doesn't work. So that's india ink, and minwax true black (tried by another KZreadr) that don't work so far...

@TheTapeFarm

2 жыл бұрын

Yes. This isn’t like alchemy. A liquid doesn’t turn one wood into another kind of wood. It’s just a method of staining the wood… I thought that might be obvious.

@normbarrows

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheTapeFarm I mean it doesn't look like real ebony - you know, super black, with a bit of a matte sheen. So black you can't see the grain anymore. I've been looking for a technique that can achieve that look. I've used Keda wood dyes to tint rosewood, but I've never really tried to "ebonize" a fretboard. I've seen the iron, water, and heat method; the Minwax black, ((both pen and can); and your India ink example on KZread. All darken, but none make it really look like ebony. Don't get me wrong, I think tinted/darkened rosewood can be much more interesting than the usual fretboard rosewood. These days if I have a choice, I'll use the necks with the most dramatic light and dark rosewood fretboard graining on my best builds. I use the boring all darker ones for other builds. Unfortunately, the darker it is, the less tinting shows up.

Is sir topham hat driving a thomas sherman firefly? Lol. That tshirt is real cool!

@TheTapeFarm

3 жыл бұрын

Why yes.... yes he is.

that will come off on your fingers forever

@TheTapeFarm

Жыл бұрын

Hasn’t. It’s been very stable, no issues at all.

First one to like and comment I hope I win the thin line telecaster

USE OLD T-SHIRT TOO APLLY INK!!

Does it affect the tone at all?

so fake fingerboards, nice, easy to spot when buying, blacklight, water on a paper towel just rub on it, if it comes off on towel its ink, lot of people are taking pau ferro and all that junk wood and doing this calling it rosewood, nice tip... if ya want to make it look more like ebony take a wheel to it, a small dremel polishing wheel to polish off oiled board, no polishing compounds oil only! mix more ink in with the oil, polish to a nice shine.. friction from the wheel helps push oil down into the grain, don't hesitate to leave wheel in one spot for 5-10 seconds let it get warmed up..