Black Walnut fretboard?

[theGleep]

A co-worker has a couple of black walnut trees that have been "curing" in his back yard for a few years...he said I could have it to make a guitar or two with. And that it's a very dense wood.

So; would it make a good fretboard?

[Rip Topaz]

I would think that any wood, properly finished, would be ok for a fretboard. Walnut is a great wood to work with, never tried it as a fretboard though, other than on a lap steel I made last year. Not a good example though.

[FBB Custom]

You could probably get away with it but personally I would not use walnut for a fingerboard. The fingerboard is a pretty important component to a bass. It requires material that is stiff, stable, wear resistant, and hard enough to hold a fret tang without compressing. Walnut is not so hot in some of those categories. The last thing you want is to finish the bass and find out it has a rubbery neck or the frets are not staying put.

[Meatrus]

Originally Posted by FBB Custom

You could probably get away with it but personally I would not use walnut for a fingerboard. The fingerboard is a pretty important component to a bass. It requires material that is stiff, stable, wear resistant, and hard enough to hold a fret tang without compressing. Walnut is not so hot in some of those categories. The last thing you want is to finish the bass and find out it has a rubbery neck or the frets are not staying put.

Probably a stupid question, but what would happen if someone were to use a wood which is not very stiff? Seeing as its glued down I (incorrectly) never really thought of it being an issue.

[FBB Custom]

The neck will flex more under tension if less stiff materials are used.

Black walnut makes a fine guitar body and I have used it with good results in multilaminate necks. It is sometimes used as a banjo fingerboard, which is under somewhat less tension than your typical bass. Those who use it for banjos are wise to select walnut that is denser and harder than average for the species.

The stiffness issue can be compensated for by using a stiffer neck shaft, but the durability and ability to hold a tang without compressing -- especially after a refret -- is in my opinion a concern.

[theGleep]

Thanks for all the feedback. I guess I'll just work on the body...and buy a neck from somewhere.

Thanks again!

[Down & Outman]

Luthiers Mercantile International, Inc. Guitar Builder Wood and Supplies has good prices on fretboards. The walnut will make a nice body or laminate neck.

I agree with FBB. Last thing you want is neck that flexes everytime you put a little muscle into it.

[daveman50]

How about using it for the neck, not the fb? I have a Rob Allen with a walnut neck and (fretless) ebony fingerboard. I looove the feel of that neck.

[iiipopes]

Originally Posted by daveman50

How about using it for the neck, not the fb? I have a Rob Allen with a walnut neck and (fretless) ebony fingerboard. I looove the feel of that neck.

+1. The tone of walnut is similar to maple, with just a shade less top end and more "growl." An ebony fingerboard will complement a walnut neck nicely.

In the late '70's, Gibson had a line of their Les Paul guitars that had exactly this construction. I almost bought one, just couldn't make the deal I wanted.

[Meatrus]

Originally Posted by FBB Custom

The neck will flex more under tension if less stiff materials are used.

Black walnut makes a fine guitar body and I have used it with good results in multilaminate necks. It is sometimes used as a banjo fingerboard, which is under somewhat less tension than your typical bass. Those who use it for banjos are wise to select walnut that is denser and harder than average for the species.

The stiffness issue can be compensated for by using a stiffer neck shaft, but the durability and ability to hold a tang without compressing -- especially after a refret -- is in my opinion a concern.

Cool, thanks for the in depth explanation.