Thinking of changing out the standard hat band for a darker if not completely black one. Thoughts and opinions on this? Anyone ever given it a go before?
Tacking on a ribbon isn't too hard if you have some basic hand sewing skills. You can probably figure out how the bow is done once you get it off the hat. The ribbon HJ uses is available online (dark brown, 38mm(: https://www.hatblocks.co.uk/product/galloon-ribbon/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I've done a few ribbon swaps. Just make sure you do your research on the proper fiber content. You want something that will shrink with water so it conforms to the hat. Don't use the polyester stuff from the craft stores.
I changed the ribbons on two Fed IVs a while back, using this helpful tutorial by IndyGear's very own Dalex -- http://www.whitvani.net/dalexs/hat/hatpage.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Some of the hatters who make our Indy fedoras have in the past been willing to sell some of their ribbon by the yard. So you might want to contact them as your first-choice source for new accurate ribbon made of the right cotton-rayon (?) blend.
At one time David Garrison of Garrison Hatters, Local Land Surveyor here, had really high quality ribbon that he was selling. Not sure if he still is, but it would be worth sending him a PM.