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I found some Gabon Ebony online I'm thinking about picking up to carve a back for a 17" archtop. My biggest concern is can Ebony be bent for sides? If bending Ebony sides is not an option what would a good alternative be for sides to match the Ebony back? I’m still learning so any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Kevin, I've seen some beautiful Macassar ebony guitars and ukes, but I have no idea how Gabon would bend. My guess is that it would be rather difficult to carve. May I suggest you consider some other wood for your archtop? I do realize it's none of my business, but I really hate the thought of all that ebony reduced to shavings. You could still pick up the ebony and re-manufacture it into parts for flat top instruments. And you could build your archtop from almost any other wood and finish it with black lacquer. Black archtops can be beautiful. Just my suggestion--offered with best wishes.
Patrick

I'm a total novice but yes, gabon can be bent. It just rare to find it in sizes large enough for backs/sides and it likes to crack. I wouldn't carve it but that's just me. Stuff is expensive and I like to minimize waste.

Also if you are buying a billet I can almost guarantee you that it's cracked. I have a few QS curly billets and they all arrived coated in wax with several checks. That's fine for fretboards but for a back or an archtop back, it's obviously a problem. If I was going to buy a billet to carve and not mill, I'd want to see it in person first.

This is an image from Bashkin's site...he builds a nice guitar! I believe it's Indian ebony. I know it can be bent but likes to crack.

One thing about ebony, as I've heard, that it's pretty dead as a tonewood.

It is pretty ... No???

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)