Unfinished maple fretboard

[mdogs]

I just acquired a bass that has what appears to me to be an unfinished maple fretboard, although it has been lightly stained. My understanding of maple fretboards is that they really need some kind of finish on them. I assume that finishing the fretboard keeps it from drying out and cracking? Not sure what if anything to do about this. Bass sounds unreal and the look of the unfinished birdseye maple it killer, what to do what to do...

 

[Down & Outman]

Unfinished maple will stain with dark patches where you play the most. They are usually finished with nitro or poly finishes to protect the fretboard.

 

[greenpotato]

There are a lot of posts on epoxy freatboard finish. System 3 is a good brand.

 

[Randyt]

I have used raw maple necks for many years, I have treated with both Oils and Waxes, and have had excellent results...My favourite is tung-oil...
there has been no warping/checking or any other crazy stuff people say when you dont treat raw maple

 

[Ric5]

Also a finish on the neck will keep it from warping in places where the humidity changes a lot.

 

[mdogs]

Ya, I really question the warping of the neck issue... I really am only concerned about the fretboard, as I said in my OP.