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Black Frets

Posted by FretMonkey on February 15, 2010 at 10:50am in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion
Anyone know of a method or material that can be used for black frets?  Kind of weird question I know lol
I can think of a couple of ways of getting my frets black but I think they would eventually "rub" off - I'm looking for something more permanent if possible.

thanks all!

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Replies

  • Hip Bone Bellaire March 13, 2010 at 9:47am
    Auto Pin Tape for the flat ones... works great..
  • Craig Winkelmann March 13, 2010 at 7:33am
    Dragon Plate sells CF rods, - http://www.dragonplate.com/ecart/categories.asp?cID=39 - though I don't recommend CF (when the epoxy scratches the carbon will become brittle).

    You could anneal steel the old fashion way:
    Heat steel to red hot and dip into heavy motor oil, or linseed oil.

    Two formulas for blackening brass.
    Heat:
    Dissolve 1 ounce of copper nitrate in 6 ounces of water, dip, then heat the brass.

    Non Heat Method:
    Sodium Sulfide 1 ounce, Hydrochloric acid 1/2 ounce, 10 ounces of water. Apply with a small brush or a Qtip.

    CAUTION: Always wear eye protection and gloves when working with chemicals. Use respirators when cutting carbon fiber, and when working with solvents and metals. Read instructions before mixing acid, or working with chemicals. Never reuse containers for food preparation.
  • FretMonkey March 12, 2010 at 9:38am
    Nice Bob! That does sound very cool!

    Bob Harrison said:
    Fretmonkey,
    I have been giving this some thought lately. I was thinking old 78 records would look nice as inlayed fret markers. And to keep the theme going use the same as a face for the peghead and pickguard.

    Cheers
    Bob
  • Bob Harrison March 11, 2010 at 11:39pm
    Fretmonkey,
    I have been giving this some thought lately. I was thinking old 78 records would look nice as inlayed fret markers. And to keep the theme going use the same as a face for the peghead and pickguard.

    Cheers
    Bob
  • Richard D. DeRoin March 11, 2010 at 10:48am
    Use brass fret material. Then a heavy dose of ooxidizing agent (nitric acid) then a good dose of india ink. I would think that should do it.
  • Rick Martin February 25, 2010 at 9:50am
    I've seen some black fishing line out there. If you could find it thick enough, it might do the job...for awhile at least, until the strings wore into the frets.
  • Jason Hitesman February 17, 2010 at 4:34pm
    You could try using a patina compound on some fret wire:

    http://www.delphiglass.com/index.cfm?page=itemView&itemsysid=12...

    Not sure if there's any fret wire with a high enough zinc content for it to work well though....
  • Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates February 17, 2010 at 10:09am
    :-P

    Reboots indeed. Hah. CentOS is King o'Linux.

    -WY

    Iggy said:
    Life is too short for reboots. Long live Ubuntu!!

    Wes Yates said:
    I are indeed!

    -WY

    michael harris said:
    hey Wes Yates are you a linux fan?
  • Dan Sleep February 16, 2010 at 1:16pm
    Life is too short for reboots. Long live Ubuntu!!

    Wes Yates said:
    I are indeed!

    -WY

    michael harris said:
    hey Wes Yates are you a linux fan?
  • Dave Breault February 16, 2010 at 7:58am
    If you could track down a source of ebony, such as the black keys on the older pianos that wood is certainly dense enough to handle the wear. It is not too bad to work with either.
This reply was deleted.