Silly fretboard question - Why arent they painted?

[Pudge Fish]

This one may seem out of left field, but I can't find an answer....

Why aren't painted fretboards more common?

Here's my reasoning:
1. I have generally felt that the fretboard doesn't lend as much to the sonic quality as most other factors on a bass. Wood choice here is usually my last priority.

2. If a company like Rickenbacker glosses the fretboard for decades, it must not be a terrible thing to try. Seems to wear really well also!

3. Some inlays get pretty intense; wouldn't this effect the sound also?

4. We hide plenty of beautiful wood beneath paint and clear (including the neck), so why not the fretboard?

Maybe this is an inherently silly question, but I don't know why! Much of my reasoning comes from Rickenbacker's long-standing tradition, but a rad paint job might rival some pretty inlay work for the inclined.

 

[gln1955]

It would wear off and look like crap?

 

[Pudge Fish]

Play a Ric. The gloss on a 20 year old 4003 will look fresh if it's taken care of.

 

[A-Step-Towards]

I have always wanted a fender maple p neck either painted all black or all white with no fretboard dots.

 

[Pudge Fish]

I have always wanted a fender maple p neck either painted all black or all white with no fretboard dots.

Are you reading my mind? I've torn down my P-5er with a maple neck and painted the body. I'm wondering why I shouln't paint the board also! It IS gloss already, now that I think about it!

 

[JACink]

Maybe you could paint it and then epoxy it. That would definitely last.

 

[Pudge Fish]

Maybe you could paint it and then epoxy it. That would definitely last.

That's what I'm thinking! I've got poly and epoxy. I love the shiny POP i can get with the poly, but the tough, lightweight epoxy may be better for a fretboard. So why don't manufacturers do this?

 

[bholder]

Some do, and yeah, epoxy paint (or overcoat) is what you want. Not much else will stand up to the abuse.

 

[bholder]

Someone posted a cool short scale custom bass in a weird seafoam green / teal / blue color that had the fretboard painted to match, don't remember who did the build. That was fretted, if I recall, but it can be done on fretless. The thing is that most epoxy topcoats are going to hide or at least darken the shade, so it might be tough to color match unless you epoxy the whole thing.

 

[Jeff Scott]

My almost 42 year old 4001 's fingerboard looks great still. So does the rest of the bass.

I also have a 1992 2030GF with a Jetglo fingerboard, that still looks fine (some small chips here and there but I attribute that to a former owner).

 

[Pudge Fish]

My almost 42 year old 4001 's fingerboard looks great still. So does the rest of the bass.

I also have a 1992 2030GF with a Jetglo fingerboard, that still looks fine (some small chips here and there but I attribute that to a former owner).

JETGLO FINGERBOARD? I was unaware! Pics???

 

[Jeff Scott]

JETGLO FINGERBOARD? I was unaware! Pics???

Maple fingerboard under the finish. RIC did the same think on Blackstars, and white on Tuxedos, and Red on Redneck basses.

It's too bad RIC never made a Blueblood to go with the rest of them; imagine a Blueblood and Redneck in the same room, together!

 

[hdracer]

All maple necks are painted clear.

 

[Pudge Fish]

All maple necks are painted clear.

So why not tuck some gnarly designs in there??

 

[Deleted member 264575]

Someone posted a cool short scale custom bass in a weird seafoam green / teal / blue color that had the fretboard painted to match, don't remember who did the build. That was fretted, if I recall, but it can be done on fretless. The thing is that most epoxy topcoats are going to hide or at least darken the shade, so it might be tough to color match unless you epoxy the whole thing.

I think you mean this Howard Ulyate;

 

[hdracer]

So why not tuck some gnarly designs in there??

Like this?

 

[bholder]

I think you mean this Howard Ulyate;

View attachment 537359

Ah-yup, that's the one! Not my usual "thing", but now I want one just like it!

 

[Persona87]

Look up Larry Graham's bass. It's a solid white jazz bass, including the fingerboard. Ibanez also has a signature instrument for some dude from Korn with a white painted fingerboard.

 

[bholder]

View attachment 537350

Maple fingerboard under the finish. RIC did the same think on Blackstars, and white on Tuxedos, and Red on Redneck basses.

It's too bad RIC never made a Blueblood to go with the rest of them; imagine a Blueblood and Redneck in the same room, together!

Yeah, I was just thinking the same thing about the blue version!

 

[JACink]

There are also these: