sharp edge on side of the fingerboard

[Les Fret]

When I play for a long time the side of the fingerboard cuts in my right hand thumb a bit.
Maybe the edge of my fingerboard is too sharp? I mean the bottom of the fingerboard where you normally rest your right thumb.
Is this a common problem? and what I can I do about it?
Is it ok to sand it a little, just to flatten the edge a little bit?
It is an ebony fingerboard.

I am a little bit afraid to do this because it is irreversible.

[Jason Sypher]

Just get a little very fine grit paper, 600, and round that edge off a little bit till is feels right.

[Jake deVilliers]

Originally Posted by Les Fret

When I play for a long time the side of the fingerboard cuts in my right hand thumb a bit.
Maybe the edge of my fingerboard is too sharp? I mean the bottom of the fingerboard where you normally rest your right thumb.
Is this a common problem? and what I can I do about it?
Is it ok to sand it a little, just to flatten the edge a little bit?
It is an ebony fingerboard.

I am a little bit afraid to do this because it is irreversible.

Its a fairly common issue. I usually use a file but sandpaper is okay too. I would start with 220, then go through 320 and 400 and finish up with 600.

[gbaker]

Use a small wooden block or stick to wrap the sandpaper around for more control. You have to do a bit more than knock of the corner. I have found that if the underside has finish on it that the sanded edge of the finish can cut. So round the corner off and sand back at least 1/8" on the underside.

You can do it.

[tornadobass]

I play some musical theater that involves a lot of pizz and yes, the lower edge of the fingerboard on my carved Romanian bass was real sharp and hurt to play. I had a luthier round it a bit and it's much comfier. Go for it!

[michaeln]

I saw a picture of James Jamerson's upright and there was a curved, smooth relieved area on the fingerboard where he rested the side of his thumb. It wasn't carved in, it was WORN in by Jamerson's aggressive playing.

Pretty cool, I thought!

[MIKMAN]

After the sanding use a bit of boiled linseed oil and seal the sanded area. Put it with your fingertip, repeat it three-four times, each time after drying and everything is gonna be OK.

[Les Fret]

ok, thanks for your tips.
It has given me the confidence to do some sanding!