Refretting a cracked Ebony fingerboard?

[Salem6127]

Hello my favorite community. This is my first post, so apologies if I'm submitting in the wrong place.

So, I managed to get my hands on a rare ESP Japan prototype from 2003. Problem is, there are a number of small cracks near the edge of the board (not from me; I'm aware of keeping African Ebony humidified).

No cracks have spanned the length of a full fret, but what worries me is that when looking at the sides of the board, I can see the fret bulging out of the ebony.

In addition, the frets have some wear. So my problem is, although I love this bass with all my heart, I am hesitant to play it too much because I'm worried the board couldn't handle a refret; would the shrunken sides of the board crack open when the fret is pried out?

Maybe I'm worrying too much, but I spent a great sum of money on this instrument, and the thought of having to replace the entire board is concerning (on that note, would changing the fingerboard be a very stressful process on a bass? Just curious).

Any insight is greatly appreciated.

 

[Killing Floor]

Is there a good luthier nearby? Ask them what they think. Ask them to explain any risks.

 

[Salem6127]

Is there a good luthier nearby? Ask them what they think. Ask them to explain any risks.

Never had to seek one out so far, but was hoping to see what the users here thought in the meantime.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Won't know a thing until eval'd by a good tech...one who has dozens of re-frets. While a possibility, it's a bit premature to assume it needs a new board. If it truly needs a re-fret, these guys can work wonders by addressing the fretboard and installing different fret wire.

P.S. Don't oil the board!

Riis

 

[202dy]

This is the right place for your question.

Fingerboard grain runs perpendicular to the fret. So a crack cannot span a full fret length.

Do you mean none of the cracks span the distance between two frets?

If the frets are protruding from the fingerboard they can be filed flush. Pretty common task in a repair shop.

As far as cracks in ebony go, they are easily filled and stabilized with ebony dust and CA glue.

 

[RSBBass]

Don't be afraid to play it. Even if there is some fret wear, it is more likely that you will need a level and re-crown than a re-fret. Even if you need a re-fret, cracks in ebony are easy to repair.

 

[Fishheadjoe]

Pic's would help...
Fihheadjoe

 

[MonetBass]

Pic's would help...
Fihheadjoe

You'll definitely get better advice if people can see what's going on.

 

[Salem6127]

Pic's would help...
Fihheadjoe

You'll definitely get better advice if people can see what's going on.

Whoops, forgot to add pics. Here you are:

 

[Salem6127]

P.S. Don't oil the board!

Riis

Whoops, I already did... The board was dry as a desert when I got it, so I caved in and applied some of that Dunlop 65 "lemon oil" stuff. Did I mess up?

Fingerboard grain runs perpendicular to the fret. So a crack cannot span a full fret length.

Do you mean none of the cracks span the distance between two frets?

If the frets are protruding from the fingerboard they can be filed flush. Pretty common task in a repair shop.

Good to know... And my mistake, I meant none of the cracks span the distance between two frets, although the top frets have it the worst (in the last pic). The fret ends haven't protruded yet, but the second pic has me worried.

Don't be afraid to play it. Even if there is some fret wear, it is more likely that you will need a level and re-crown than a re-fret. Even if you need a re-fret, cracks in ebony are easy to repair.

Yep, am wondering if I'm just worrying too much. But I'm hoping that since the bass is 20yrs old, the ebony is finished it's shrinking by now, so long as it's in a humidified environment

 

[Bruce Johnson]

Hello Salem 6127;

I restore ebony fingerboards all the time here. Most of the basses I work on are ebony. I regularly repair fingerboards that are seriously cracked and even broken in pieces.

The cracks you are showing are minor and not a big worry. The ebony has dried and shrunken a bit. It would be a good thing to seal up the cracks to prevent too much moisture from soaking in there, which could cause temporary swelling and enlarge the cracks when the moisture dried out. The oil you put on there is a good thing, to help seal it up.

If you send the bass to a Luthier to be refretted, we would usually do a more permanent repair of the cracks while the frets are off. I use West Systems epoxy with black pigment added. That permanently fills and seals the cracks with strength. It files and polishes up to a near match to the ebony; the repair is almost invisible. Some folks use sawdust and CA glue, but I personally like the epoxy better.

No reason to fear having the bass refretted, if it needs it. We have techniques for repairing ebony. It would be best to send it to a Luthier who has experience with ebony fingerboards.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Whoops, I already did... The board was dry as a desert when I got it, so I caved in and applied some of that Dunlop 65 "lemon oil" stuff. Did I mess up?

Given Bruce Johnson's comments, probably not. Some fingerboard treatments have the nasty habit of finding exposed fret slots and wicking up via end grain...not good.

Riis

 

[Matt Liebenau]

Whoops, I already did... The board was dry as a desert when I got it, so I caved in and applied some of that Dunlop 65 "lemon oil" stuff. Did I mess up?



Good to know... And my mistake, I meant none of the cracks span the distance between two frets, although the top frets have it the worst (in the last pic). The fret ends haven't protruded yet, but the second pic has me worried.



Yep, am wondering if I'm just worrying too much. But I'm hoping that since the bass is 20yrs old, the ebony is finished it's shrinking by now, so long as it's in a humidified environment

The main thing with “lemon oil”, which is almost universally mineral oil with a lemon scent, if you choose to use it is moderation. Don’t use it every week. Apply a minimal amount and wipe off as much as possible. What it actually does for a board is up for debate but only using a bit and getting as much back off as possible is pretty safe.

 

[Turnaround]

Typical lemon oil is mostly mineral oil, which makes the wood look pretty, but has very little (if any) other beneficial effect.

There are, however, some detrimental effects. If the oil gets into cracks in the wood, it will inhibit adhesion of glues. And it's really hard to remove. Cautionary tale - i knocked over a bottle of mineral oil in the shower (baby oil - which is mineral oil). Boy that stuff is slippery under foot! Tired to wash it off using the liquid soap we had in the bathroom - nope still slippery. Tried some dish soap - nope, still slippery. Had to use some de-greaser I have in the shop. Mineral oil is not something I want to have around my instruments - it just complicates things when it comes to repairs, like cracks, finish touchups, etc.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

I've seen worse on old ebony boards, that looks like an easy repair as Bruce describes. Looks like plenty of meat left on those frets, I don't see why a level and polish wouldn't be possible. Are they buzzing now?

 

[Turnaround]

I am concerned about one of the pics:

The circled part looks like it may be sticking out of the edge a bit. If so, it may catch on something can tear out. Or catch your hand. I would have it addressed right away and any other similar cracks.

 

[Salem6127]

Looks like plenty of meat left on those frets, I don't see why a level and polish wouldn't be possible. Are they buzzing now?

Yessir, definitely still some meat on the frets and no buzz. What I was getting at pretty much boils down to me being afraid to play the bass, for fear of wearing down the frets, for fear of the ebony being too shrunken down to handle a refret. Thankfully, the helpful folk here have helped quell those worries. I'll still take it to a Luthier when I get the chance though.

I am concerned about one of the pics:
View attachment 4836594

The circled part looks like it may be sticking out of the edge a bit. If so, it may catch on something can tear out. Or catch your hand. I would have it addressed right away and any other similar cracks.

Good eye, Turnaround. But good news is, my camera makes that crack appear worse than it is. I inspected the spot carefully, and went over the entire side of the board with a magnifying glass but thankfully have not found any protruding or jagged edges.