Fretboard Dryness / Cracking

BobKos · #1 02-09-2008, 08:13 AM

Hi All:

I recently (last week) picked up a Music Man Bongo bass. It is a brand new bass bought from a legit dealer.

I noticed right away when I looked at the bass that the rosewood board appeared MUCH lighter than my other basses. I didn't worry too much as I have been told rosewood color can vary. I like the cosmetics of darker wood, but I got a great deal on the bass so the color is liveable to me.

I noticed the other day that the neck has some kind of separation happening in the grain of the wood. That is something I don't like and probably the reason for the great deal. The photo below illustrates what I'm talking about. It's not real bad at this point, but I'm concerned what it is going to be like a year from now.

Any thoughts on what I should do about this? I was going to look for boiled linseed oil or maybe lemon oil and give it a dose. Then I thought I might make matters worse for a real repair if that isn't the answer. I have another bass (Custom Shop Fender / Pao Ferro board) that is doing this same thing only a bit worse.

I have many other basses that have not exhibited this problem, so I have to believe I'm not being negligent in the care of my instruments.

I am debating whether I should contact the respective manufacturers of these instruments and request repair help under warranty. If this is a relatively easy to solve problem, I would rather avoid that scenario.

Please share any thoughts, advice, or other help that will put me in the right direction regarding this situation.

Thanks.
Bob

wilser · #2 02-09-2008, 08:30 AM

it doesn't look like it's cracking to me. it just looks like regular pores in rosewood. I'd say that fingerboard is fine. you can get some formby's lemon oil if you want to give it some conditioning, but I don't think there's anything to repair there.

Larry Davis · #3 02-09-2008, 08:41 AM

What Wilser said. Looks like typical EIR pore structure. I don't see any true cracks or checks in it. Great photo for this by the way.

Dirk Diggler · #4 02-09-2008, 09:41 AM

Yep Lemon oil is your friend, or perhaps even Howard Feed and Wax. Those will both darken and protect the wood.
Dirk

BobKos · #5 02-09-2008, 12:02 PM

Thanks for the replies. I feel ALOT better knowing that I don't have major surgery ahead for this bass.

I have attached a photo below of the Fender Pao Ferro board. It has the same type of appearance, only worse. This pattern is on many spots of the board.

Please share your thoughts on it.

Thanks again,
Bob