Beautiful Black Ebony for violins

The main exporters of ebony are India and Africa and the timber is used to make a lot violin parts. You will have probably noticed the fingerboard. But it is often used to make tailpieces, pegs, end pins, the saddle and the nut. If you need a reminder about these parts go to to our Violin parts page.

Ebony is a very hard wood and wears very little over time on the fingerboard. Other timbers like Boxwood or Rosewood can be used but they will not last as long.

Sometimes when an instrument has been played for many years the fingerboard may need re-planed or re-shot to take out wear. The photo above shows fingerboard blanks ready to be finished off by the luthier.

There are a number of specialist sawmillers and handlers of ebony and they provide blanks or partially finished fingerboards to the luthier trade.

We will put up more on this soon so come back and visit often and let us know what you need information on.

If you also interested in spruce follow this link

Read all about maple tonewood here


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