Fretless fingerboard help!

moopants · #1 12-02-2006, 07:55 PM

I took off my strings and wiped down my bass with a rag, and I noticed how the fingerboard had dull strips where the strings were. I know this is normal (I hope, at least) but, is there some kind of wood polish I can use to make it look more attractive? I have Pledge, but I thought that would be a very bad idea, so I didn't put anything on it.

PIZZAcato · #2 12-02-2006, 08:46 PM

I wouldn't use pledge. What EXACTLY do you mean by dull strips? The strings leaving funky gunk or the finger board is actually getting wear on it?

moopants · #3 12-02-2006, 08:55 PM

Dull strips as in wear, yes. I have no access for coating the fingerboard, at least not any time soon. I'm just looking for a home remedy to make my bass look better.

spudmaster34 · #4 12-03-2006, 08:27 AM

if it is rosewood, I use this stuff http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Finishin...shing_Oil.html wipe it on with a rag, wipe it off, wait about 2 hours, resting, wait about 22 hours and enjoy

tplyons · #5 12-03-2006, 01:34 PM

A little bit of lemon oil from your local hardware store will liven up a rosewood board. Make sure it's completely dried before playing.

fretless Bob · #6 12-05-2006, 10:10 AM

you are best to leave it IMO, the grooves are normal and expected, but they probably wont get any worse than they are now.

i find that if a fretless Board is too clean then you get a thinner more nasal sound, which is why fretless basses get better the more you play them.

so seriously just wipe it with a dry duster cloth to remove any excess gunk that may have built up on the board and then restring it

Dave