Double Bass Graphite fingerboard questions

[Jason Hollar]

Anybody here play on a graphite fingerboard or have experience working on them?

I had a Moses fingerboard installed on my Lemur Romanian bass about 5 years ago.

Problem is -- the very end of the fingerboard is slightly bent (warped?) up pretty close to the strings.

Problem is -- when I play in the upper register -- if I dig in a little too hard, the strings buzz against the end of the board.

I'd like to plane it down a bit for more clearance.

1. What's the best way to work on this -- can I use regular sand paper or heavy duty steel wool to start?

2. Can graphite be cut or sawed off cleanly without chewing up or damaging the material? If so, what's the best saw or blade to use?

3. Can I use something like a dremel tool to slightly scallop the offending areas under each string?

4. What's the best way to polish or refinish the graphite surface to restore a nice shiny sheen?

Thanks!

 

[Jake deVilliers]

Hmm, I would use wet and dry sandpaper (the black stuff) on a small (3" x 6") cork-backed plywood block.

Straighten it with say 180 grit, then work your way up through all the grits to ~1500. You could go higher if you want but 1500 feels great on wooden boards so...

Good luck!

 

[Dr McBalders]

Hi,
I have zero experience with graphite (carbon fiber) fingerboards, but have more than a decade of experience with carbon fiber bicycles and components, so…please don't inhale the dust you generate from sanding carbon fiber/graphite.
Bad, bad stuff. Good luck.
Brian

 

[Jason Hollar]

Good advice!

 

[arnoldschnitzer]

I received one of those fingerboards from the Moses Graphite Company several years ago. I rejected using them for several reasons, the most serious one being a lack of stiffness. The problem you describe is probably caused by the neck bending or the glue joint slipping. Please check there first.

 

[Jason Hollar]

Arnold -- thanks for the insight.

The problem could very well be the neck itself...

The reason I replaced the fingerboard in the first place was because the original fingerboard warped quite a bit so I figured a graphite one would help solidify the problem.

Interesting that you found the Moses unstable.

I can't afford another serious repair -- just looking for an inexpensive fix that will allow me to continue to gig comfortably on this axe for a few more years.

Other than the end of the fingerboard, the rest of the instrument is quite comfortable to play. Thanks again!

 

[Eric Swanson]

Only thing I might add, as a non-luthiery woodworker, is to wear a good respirator, or at least a dust mask. Whatever the binder is for that particular extrusion, it may well be something relatively toxic, once airborne, as fine dust. Bad news to breathe.

 

[Jake deVilliers]

Only thing I might add, as a non-luthiery woodworker, is to wear a good respirator, or at least a dust mask. Whatever the binder is for that particular extrusion, it may well be something relatively toxic, once airborne, as fine dust. Bad news to breathe.

Great point Eric and you too Baldy. I meant to mention that in my post but forgot...

 

[Pentabass]

Hi,
I have zero experience with graphite (carbon fiber) fingerboards, but have more than a decade of experience with carbon fiber bicycles and components, so…please don't inhale the dust you generate from sanding carbon fiber/graphite.
Bad, bad stuff. Good luck.
Brian

Hi Brian,
this is good advice.

By the way: I can't make out the picture too well: are you holding a lollipop in your mouth? Like Kojak, the detective ;-)

 

[Dr McBalders]

Quote: "Hi Brian,
this is good advice.

By the way: I can't make out the picture too well: are you holding a lollipop in your mouth? Like Kojak, the detective ;-)"

Naa, just me not wasting any time with carbon dust, and lighting up a piece of carbon steer tube I just finished hack sawing off. First hit is free, you know. . .
My avatar isn't a pic of me though; I (if you can imagine from my TB user name) do bear a strong resemblance to Telly Savalas, at least.
Brian