Should I replace my fingerboard?

[lonestar91151]

I have a 1937 Kay with an ebonized fingerboard. Seems to be original. I have some buzzing and the finish is wearing down to the wood. Looks like it is painted and then some kind of varnish over the wood. Could it be rosewood under the black finish? If so, should I have the fingerboard planed and leave it rosewood?

[Jake deVilliers]

Why not? Brazilian Rosewood is a fine wood for the purpose and many great-sounding Kays are still wearing their original Brazilian boards.
You can replace it when it becomes too thin through repeated dressing.

Or if you decide to take it off, you could send it to me!

Of course, it could be maple or walnut too.....easy to find out.

[arnoldschnitzer]

Your decision should depend on two things: 1) is the neck straight, or has it bent from all these years of tension?, 2) is there enough fingerboard left to perform an adequate dressing and leave you with a workable fingerboard?

Ebony is far superior to rosewood for a bass fingerboard, because it is far stiffer, wears more slowly, and its density gives a bass better response and tone. You also need to decide if it is worth doing from a dollars and cents standpoint.

[Bob Branstetter]

Originally Posted by lonestar91151

I have a 1937 Kay with an ebonized fingerboard. Seems to be original. I have some buzzing and the finish is wearing down to the wood. Looks like it is painted and then some kind of varnish over the wood. Could it be rosewood under the black finish? If so, should I have the fingerboard planed and leave it rosewood?

It could be rosewood, but every ebonized Kay fingerboard I've ever seen have been either maple or walnut, not rosewood.

[moles]

I always thought rosewood was too oily to finish over, is it not? I suppose that doesn't apply to a black dye as would be used in an 'ebonizing' process.

[lonestar91151]

I suppose it could be maple or walnut. It looks pretty light colored throught the wear spots. What is your thoughts on maple? It's neck is reasonably straight and the fb has plenty of thickness. Do you suggest dressing it down?
Thanks for responding

[lonestar91151]

What is the approx. cost of dressing versus replacement?

[Bob Branstetter]

Originally Posted by lonestar91151

I suppose it could be maple or walnut. It looks pretty light colored throught the wear spots. What is your thoughts on maple? It's neck is reasonably straight and the fb has plenty of thickness. Do you suggest dressing it down?
Thanks for responding

I suggest a new Ebony fingerboard. IMO, dressing a maple fingerboard is a waste of money. What Arnold said about ebony vs rosewood applies even more so to ebony vs maple.

[lonestar91151]

What would be the approx. cost of replacement?