repairing an "ebonized finish"

[Jim Coleman, Sr.]

Hi John:

One other thing to consider is that at the turn of the century, lacquer
was not in general use. Your finish may have been varnish or shellac.
Jimrpt is right about the ebonizing just referring to the color (a poor
man's way of making it look like ebony wood). Of course, ebony wood would
be way too expensive to use on a piano, but OK for a Clarinet or Oboe or
sharp keytops.

Jim Coleman, Sr.

On Sat, 10 Jul 1999, John Gunderson wrote:

> I have an Ibach grand from turn of the century.  The cabinet is an
> "ebonized" finish and is in good condition.  The only problem is that
> the slots on either end of the music desk (where it rides in & out on
> the glides) had been damaged.  Some one had the damage repaired.  It
> looks like it may have been done professionally at a millwork somewhere,
> the two damaged sections cut out and a veneer of maple was spliced in on
> each side.  The repair is structurally sound,  the desk fits properly on
> the glides and moves in & out and the top surfaces where the pieces were
> spliced in have been leveled and finely sanded.  The problem is that the
> repairs are unfinished.  I would like to try to blend the repair in with
> the rest of the cabinet.  I need some advice on how to do that.  I don't
> want to just paint the music desk.  Black lacquer just doesn't match an
> ebonized finish.  Does anybody have any experience with "ebonizing".
> 
> Thanks,  John Gunderson, Neptune City, NJ
> 
>