Ebonizing

[SteveS]

I have a 6 sided Lachenal EC with ebonized ends - and pieces missing from the fretwork. I'm thinking about patching up the ends.

The ends do not appear to be veneered but do appear to be laminated.

It looks like the laminate is 3 ply - possibly rosewood.

 

Any ideas which wood species may have been used originally for the ends?

Would ebony laminate have been used prior to ebonizing or maybe some other species (in this case possibly rosewood)?

And what stain to use to get the stained ebonized ends? (Getting black wood stain is almost impossible).

 

I'd like to try and get a close match with both the wood and the staining before French polishing.

 

Thanks

Steve

[Theo]

I believe that ebonized pearwood may have been the material for many "ebony" ended concertinas. Its a nice workable timber without a pronounced grain. There are various ebonizing recipes available on line like this page for example.

[Robin Harrison]

................here's the aniline dye that is refered to.

I've used it, the ebony, and it's excellent.

Lee Valley

Robin

Edited April 20, 2009 by Robin Harrison

[SteveS]

Theo & Robin

 

Thanks for the replies.

 

Steve

[DDF]

Hi Steve,The only problem you may have with aniline dye is they fade quite quickly in light.unless you are re staining the whole end you may end up with it a bit patchy in a few years.There is a way that is colour fast which I have used lot in the past but I wouldn't recommend it unless you've done a fair amount of french polishing.It is a finish made from old 78s dissolved in methylated spirit which needs to be over coated with many coats of french polish. David

[Theo]

.It is a finish made from old 78s dissolved in methylated spirit which needs to be over coated with many coats of french polish. David

 

Just use black French polish available from any good wood finish supplier.