Taking care of Rosewood fingerboard?

[SCMan88]

Hey!

I'm getting my fretless in a few days,its a fretless with a Rosewood fingerboard.

I'm not soooo sure if I'll go with Flats or Rounds,but basically,how can I take care of the fingerboard?

If I'm using Rounds,there will be wear.
Probably with the Flats too,but with Rounds it will come faster!

So,how should I take care of the fingerboard?
I heard about something called Dr. Duck's Ax Wax,which is generally good for all the parts of the bass.
Is it a good product to use for cleaning the fingerboard?

And,if I get wear,how can I handle with it?
I heard something about re-dressing the fingerboard or something like that.
Would be really nice if someone could explain it to me.


Thanks alot guys!!

[allexcosta]

You may use any fingerboard conditioner like Dunlop's every few months for hydrating and cleaning.

Re-dressing is simply sanding to remove a thin layer of the wood until the wear disappears, but it can only be done a few times...

[slaphappychappy]

i use lem oil every now and then. probably bout every 2 months. and in between a soft cloth to clean any residue off after every play.

[darkstorm]

I use dunlop deep fretboard conditioner 1-2 times a year. Just a little. If you want roundwound sound but less wear try one or more of these: Dr neons. Dr black beauties. Rotosound nexus, Ernie ball coated.

[Pilgrim]

Just play it. If you choose rounds, you'll know when it needs work - chances are it will take years unless you're playing for a long time every day. Rosewood quite durable.

I haven't oiled a fretboard in the 20 cumulative years I've been playing.

[SCMan88]

Originally Posted by allexcosta

You may use any fingerboard conditioner like Dunlop's every few months for hydrating and cleaning.

Re-dressing is simply sanding to remove a thin layer of the wood until the wear disappears, but it can only be done a few times...

It can only be done a few times because then the fingerboard is getting really small(In the meaning of thickness)??


And what are those DR Black Beauties?
I understood they are coated with something,but does it make any different than giving the STRINGS more life?

Thanks guys!

[SCMan88]

To be honest,I think I'll have to go with Rounds,because I can't find any 6 string Flats,Light Guage(30,40,60,80,100,120),and that are in a normal price,and are not $60,not including shipping...

So,is there anything I can do to take care of wear on the fingerboard,except re-dressing it?
All those oils-they are just cleaning the wood?

[kraigo]

SCMan88 - the chances are that GHS makes the individual strings you want. See if you can get JustStrings.com to help you out. I think what you would want are FB30, FB40, etc.

A good set of flats will last me about 10 years, so custom order a set. I just got my first set of GHS Precision Flats (stainless steel) after years of using Lakland Joe Osborns. The Osborns are still on three other basses. The Precision Flats are probably pretty much the same string OEMed for Lakland. So far the Precision Flats are a bit zingy on my fretless rosewood board, but I think they'll mellow nicely.

Good luck.

KO

[LoveThatBass]

Originally Posted by SCMan88

It can only be done a few times because then the fingerboard is getting really small(In the meaning of thickness)??


And what are those DR Black Beauties?
I understood they are coated with something,but does it make any different than giving the STRINGS more life?

Thanks guys!

Black Beauties are DR High Beams Stainless with a very thin black coating. They are wonderful sounding strings. They blow Elixers out of the water in terms of tone and feel. They just knock the edge off the High Beams Stainless. Great tone and feel. I have used High Beams stainless for several years until I got the Black Beauties and now they are my string of choice.

[SCMan88]

Originally Posted by LoveThatBass

Black Beauties are DR High Beams Stainless with a very thin black coating. They are wonderful sounding strings. They blow Elixers out of the water in terms of tone and feel. They just knock the edge off the High Beams Stainless. Great tone and feel. I have used High Beams stainless for several years until I got the Black Beauties and now they are my string of choice.

So are those Black Beauties good as being Rounds,but because of the coating they act like Flats?
I saw a pack of these on Ebay..Sure do cost alot haha.

But I will consider them if I find nothing else good.

[SCMan88]

Does it make any difference if I use Stainless Steel of Nickel Coated?(Fingerboard wear)..

What you guys think of this set by Fodera:
FODERA DIAMOND SERIES STEEL BASS STRINGS 6's - 28-120 | eBay

Its good price,its light guage,and I know that Fodera strings are hand made,so they are more quality...

Thanks,and sorry if the string questions aren't supposed to be here..

[john grey]

Just play it for a few month before doing anything what so ever. The level of wear on a fret-less board is very minimal for most people. They simply don't play enough.

What actually happens after years is that very small impressions are made where the fingers most commonly depress. Those are not anything but compression marks and they reach a certain level and very, very rarely go any deeper. It's the wood compressing. The string doesn't "saw" into the wood. It simply contacts it like a button. It's not sawing back and forth. You'll have fewer concerns than you realize - once you start playing it.

Don't even look at the fret-board for 3 months. Then look and see how deeply the strings have pushed down the wood. It will be SO small - it's no cause for concern.

[kelleysdad]

0000 steel wool and linseed oil. Make sure to wipe it offwhen you are done.

[SCMan88]

Ok..
Last question!!

If I do get wear on the fingerboard,if I do NOTHING about it,anything will happen?
Because like you said,the string doesn't saw into the wood,so it will probably stop(?) at one point.

I just want to make sure that if I get wear on the fingerboard,is it ok to leave it like that.

Thanks .

[Jazzdogg]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

Just play it. If you choose rounds, you'll know when it needs work - chances are it will take years unless you're playing for a long time every day. Rosewood quite durable.

I haven't oiled a fretboard in the 20 cumulative years I've been playing.

+1 The rosewood fingerboard on my '73 P-bass takes care of itself; all I've ever done is defret it and give it an occasional cleaning.

A little research on dalbergias (rosewood is a member of the dalbergia family, cocobolo is another) will reveal the characteristics of the species.

[SCMan88]

Ok!!
So I'll just play my fretless and thats it.

Thanks guys!

[LoveThatBass]

Originally Posted by SCMan88

Hey!

I'm getting my fretless in a few days,its a fretless with a Rosewood fingerboard.

I'm not soooo sure if I'll go with Flats or Rounds,but basically,how can I take care of the fingerboard?

If I'm using Rounds,there will be wear.
Probably with the Flats too,but with Rounds it will come faster!

So,how should I take care of the fingerboard?
I heard about something called Dr. Duck's Ax Wax,which is generally good for all the parts of the bass.
Is it a good product to use for cleaning the fingerboard?

And,if I get wear,how can I handle with it?
I heard something about re-dressing the fingerboard or something like that.
Would be really nice if someone could explain it to me.


Thanks alot guys!!

Yes, Dr. Ducks Axe Wax works well on Rosewood Finger boards. Just don't go crazy with it and no more than 2 times a year. I also found it revitalized my strings for a short period of time.

[Jumbotron]

About twice a year, I use Formby's tung oil on my rosewood board--three coats, sanded between each. It seems to keep everything tough and lovely.