AprioriMark
Hero Member
- Messages
- 1,710
I understand that it's long been Warmoth's policy to not dye their ebony black. I appreciate that having the option of figured ebony has long been available, and that a customer can order "jet black" ebony. I understand why the decision had been made to not dye ebony (even though builders like Gibson and Carvin have been doing it for years... whether or not customers requested it). After having viewed Bob Taylor's recent thoughtful commentary in youtube, it occurs to me that Warmoth has an opportunity to be a better servant of creation as well as an even better company for its loyal customers.
Why not offer dyed ebony as an option? Yes, a customer could dye it themselves, though my understanding is that it's best done before frets are installed. And really, Warmoth's finish shop is top-notch. Yes, it would be a shift in the labor process, and that's problematic on its face. The benefit is that Warmoth could be a part of helping the guitar-building world move into the way of thinking where we have to actively care for the world in its entirety, which involves changing hearts and minds of everyone in our circle of influence.
As for me, I would absolutely choose dyed ebony now, rather than jet black, even if it were the same price as the naturally jet black option... or a few dollars more. As a friend pointed out to me yesterday, we dye beautiful wood all the time for our guitar bodies; what's the difference in doing the same to a fretboard?
So, tl;dr version:
1) Ebony harvesting procedures have changed, and we need to find ways to best make use of the wood that's harvested.
2) Dyed ebony is visually the same as naturally jet black ebony.
3) Yes, the customer could do it themselves, but it's best done before fretting, and...
4) Warmoth's finish shop is second to none. I want to know that the dye job was done by the best.
5) Warmoth could demonstrate an active commitment to the care ofthe world around us. Not everything is about a bottom line, and forgive my religious leaning here, but we are called in Genesis to care for creation. This is a great way to help normalize our use of the gifts we're given.
-Mark
Why not offer dyed ebony as an option? Yes, a customer could dye it themselves, though my understanding is that it's best done before frets are installed. And really, Warmoth's finish shop is top-notch. Yes, it would be a shift in the labor process, and that's problematic on its face. The benefit is that Warmoth could be a part of helping the guitar-building world move into the way of thinking where we have to actively care for the world in its entirety, which involves changing hearts and minds of everyone in our circle of influence.
As for me, I would absolutely choose dyed ebony now, rather than jet black, even if it were the same price as the naturally jet black option... or a few dollars more. As a friend pointed out to me yesterday, we dye beautiful wood all the time for our guitar bodies; what's the difference in doing the same to a fretboard?
So, tl;dr version:
1) Ebony harvesting procedures have changed, and we need to find ways to best make use of the wood that's harvested.
2) Dyed ebony is visually the same as naturally jet black ebony.
3) Yes, the customer could do it themselves, but it's best done before fretting, and...
4) Warmoth's finish shop is second to none. I want to know that the dye job was done by the best.
5) Warmoth could demonstrate an active commitment to the care ofthe world around us. Not everything is about a bottom line, and forgive my religious leaning here, but we are called in Genesis to care for creation. This is a great way to help normalize our use of the gifts we're given.
-Mark