Fretboard Wood Choices - Why And Why Not?

[Prostheta]

I've just finished slotting a padauk fingerboard for my five-string bass (will update the thread soon) and am about ready to get installing. Whilst idly looking for further info on padauk, the Warmoth bodies and necks section on woods say it cannot be used for fingerboards (or maybe they just don't like using it). I find this a bit hard to believe as the wood is strong and stable enough! I would hazard a wild guess at the size of the pores not lending itself to the "dirty end" of a guitar/bass? Well i'll Tru-oil it then :-D

Are *really* any practical reasons as to why you "can't" or "shouldn't" use padauk as a fretboard?

[Drak]

That's wickedly funny because I HAVE a Warmoth Paduak neck.

Paduak neck, Paduak fretboard, 2-piece.

It's a great neck!

Go figure...

[erikbojerik]

Some rosewoods have big pores, not as big as padauk, but it doesn't stop people from using them unfinished. If you like it, go with it.

However, I must say that Tru Oil is not a very durable finish; string wear will eat through it much faster than polyurethane. And it will take at least 60 coats (I'm not kidding) to fill the pores with TO.

[Prostheta]

On reflection i'm considering epoxying the board and leaving the Tru-oil for the body and neck. That said, I can do sixty coats. Maybe.

[Drak]

Paduak doesn't need anything, it is an oily wood like Rosewood or Ebony, you can leave it bare and polish it up nice, that's all it needs.

[prs man]

I made a Paduak finger board for my prs project and it works great.I put a little tung oil on it but you don't have to do anything.

[Jon]

Padauk is more than stable, I'm using it in a laminate fingerboard on my 6-string and have a few other Padauk fingerboards laying around for future projects. It looks great with a high polish and has a great feel to it. I'm not sure why they'd say it can't be used as a fingerboard wood.

[Prostheta]

Jon: Exactly what I thought. I'm a little suspicious of the open pore structure though, as I'm sure it would dirt up over time.

Thanks for all your support guys, I'm hoping to make PG proud with this project :-D

[Jon]

The Padauk I have worked with didn't have that large of pores, but the wood is relatively open grained regardless. Epoxy / grainfill and put a clear coat on it! Padauk turns to a Walnut color over time and all that awesomeness will lose it's character (to me, at least). I've seen this happen with a few custom basses, I'd much rather have that bright orange color than a dark walnut color.

[kiem]

The Padauk I have worked with didn't have that large of pores, but the wood is relatively open grained regardless. Epoxy / grainfill and put a clear coat on it! Padauk turns to a Walnut color over time and all that awesomeness will lose it's character (to me, at least). I've seen this happen with a few custom basses, I'd much rather have that bright orange color than a dark walnut color.

you could try laqwuer thats uv protective (whatever its called) ive heard from some luthiers that thats the way to keep padouk and purpleheart wood keep their awesome color.. never tryd it myself though

[Jon]

you could try laqwuer thats uv protective (whatever its called) ive heard from some luthiers that thats the way to keep padouk and purpleheart wood keep their awesome color.. never tryd it myself though

I'm sure any clear coat will protect it from darkening as quickly as a simple oil coat. Regardless of what's on it, I'm sure it will fully darken 10, 15, 20 years down the road. I guess it's personal preference on color - I'd just prefer to keep a nice piece or orange wood that color. If I wanted to use Walnut, I would. I have had some Padauk stored in my house over the past 4-5 months and none of it has changed color. So I guess strictly keeping it away from the sun and proper storage will keep it from darkening?

[low end fuzz]

actually, your best bet to keep your fb bright and orange is put nothing on it (maybe some oil, but not nesecarry) and if it gets dark , you re-sand it, and the bright comes back;

of course you dont want to do this every month, but the option is there; if your showing it off down the road.

[n8rofwyo]

Well, maybe padauk is kind of like a wife.... It starts off all bright and shining, but then over time - little by little- it becomes more warm and comfortable. In my opinion the guitar gains character as you do.

- but if you figure out how to combat the forces of nature, I'm listening.

Nate Robinson

[Prostheta]

Heh! Well, I can't really leave it unfinished as the neck is mostly maple with bloodwood laminates. If they oxidise to brown over time, such is life I guess. I would rather have brownish laminates than dirty maple!

[SJP]

has anyone ever heard of a Manzanita fret board? I love the color of that wood, and I believe it's hard enough...

[Prostheta]

http://www.kbguitars.com/gallery/view.php?gid=14

That has a body made of Manzanita, and as the builder says "it's one of the hardest woods he knows of". If it's stable and holds frets well enough I can't see why you can't use it, hence my initial disbelief that Warmoth don't offer padauk boards!

Go for it, but be sure to post your results here as you go! I for one would be interested in seeing how it turns out :-D

[biliousfrog]

Well, maybe padauk is kind of like a wife.... It starts off all bright and shining, but then over time - little by little- it becomes more warm and comfortable. In my opinion the guitar gains character as you do.

- but if you figure out how to combat the forces of nature, I'm listening.

Nate Robinson

more warm & comfortable?....in my experience they become more cold & twisted