Finishing Fretboards

[Jon Bell]

Hi,

I've just obtained a guitar neck, the fretboard of which needs refinishing. The previous owner sanded away the finish on some of the board for "decoration".

I was wondering if there is a standard finish which is used on fretboards or if not what options there are.

Thanks,

Jon

[canuckguitarist]

what kinda wood is the fretboard?

[Brian]

If it's Maple then Lacquer or poly, if it's Rosewood or Ebony then just polish it up the natural oil's in the wood should come out unless it needs conditioning.

[Jon Bell]

It's rosewood but I think Brian has answered my question already.

Thanks,

Jon

[mullmuzzler]

What are your thoughts about leaving the maple fretboard unfinished, Brian?

mullmuzzler | OSSMT

[Guitarfrenzy]

Bad idea.. the neck won't be protected from moisture.. and you can end up with twist and warps in the neck before long...

[Roli]

I've read somewhere that Fender started to make rosewood fretboards 'cause they've seen their guitars on TV and the neck was full of muck and thus looked disgusting. LOL

[Guitarfrenzy]

That's the truth.. Leo was watching some British band on tv and noticed how terrible the necks looked because the lacquer was wearing off the maple necks and just for looks he started using rosewood on the fretboards. Just shows you that he's the same as any one of us, he wanted his guitars to look good just as much as play good.