Wenge fingerboard problem

[Mukaiya]

I have an MTD 535-24 with wenge fingerboard for 8 years. At various frets, where the fret meets the fingerboard, there is a whitish substance that developed on the fingerboard over time (see attached pic). I can remove it using a soft metal brush, but it will return in about a week or two's time.

Appreciate anyone's input on what this is, and how this can be removed permanently.

I live in Singapore. It's in the tropics where temperature and humidity are high.


Mukaiya

 

[Jazz Ad]

It looks to me like skin dust rather than something oozing from the wood.

 

[J_Bass]

It could be salt, from the sweat of your hands.

 

[JW56789]

It's residue from your hand of some sort. I'd get fine steelwool, rub with the grain, then oil the fingerboard. You may have to do this every so often, but I'd agree it's something getting on it, not coming out of it. Of course, you could contact MTD's Customer Service and run it by them.

 

[Mukaiya]

Appreciate the various responses. It's not salt/sweat/things from my hands. There were times when I scrubbed the white stuff off, applied lemon oil to the fingerboard, didn't play the MTD for several weeks, and the white stuff reappeared.

 

[J_Bass]

How do you store the bass?

 

[Mukaiya]

How do you store the bass?

On a multi-bass rack. I previously stored my basses in gig bags, but humidity got trapped within them and developed a foul odour, so I stopped doing that.

I have 2 other basses stored on the multi rack. Those (one maple, the other ebony fingerboard) never had this mysterious white stuff on the fingerboard.

 

[J_Bass]

On a multi-bass rack. I previously stored my basses in gig bags, but humidity got trapped within them and developed a foul odour, so I stopped doing that.

I have 2 other basses stored on the multi rack. Those (one maple, the other ebony fingerboard) never had this mysterious white stuff on the fingerboard.

That was my second guess, some kind of mold due to storage.

 

[dax21]

Looks to me like it's simply wood drying up a little bit, like any other fingerboard. Except wenge pores are quite big so you actually can see the discoloration. Also explains why it returns to normal after you oil up the fingerboard.
I don't think you should worry about it, and also shouldn't oil it up too often either. Excess lemon oil can not only cause the fingerboard to pop out but also cause the frets to get loose due to the reaction with the glue.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Almost looks like old wax...I see some caked in the grain, as well. I'd hit it with some naptha and a soft (...not wire) brush.

Riis