Can I sand my fretboard?

Re: Can I sand my fretboard?

JohnJohn said:
Ummmmm.....no.
If you have steel wool in your neck try putting masking tape over the whole fretboard,burnish it lightly and pull up the tape.This should draw out most of the wool,past that it's t/i and tweezers-sorry but that's how it goes :rolleyes: .
When we clean boards we remove the neck,(if we can), and mask off the entire neck with tape and paper.This protects the finish from scratching when the neck moves.Failing that we cover the entire guitar and secure it.
Next we make sure that the board is flat.
If pieces of wool are getting caught under the frets then you could have lifting frets-that should go to a repairman/person/whatever.
First we blade the board,(tip-mask off the edges of the blade:they're very sharp too.And we tape a piece of cardboard on the back of the blade so we don't snap it.
Then holding the blade vertical we draw stroke each fret space clean,starting at 320 we go up the Mo scale and finally wool it.Then we polish the frets with chrome polish and a Dremel.And finally condition the board with lemon oil.
After thye board has sat for a little bit we burnish the board with soft cloths and lastly we blade the binding clean.
Then we spend the next 2 hours trying to get our hands clean:banghead: ,(gloves can get caught and smudge the board).
Also wash you hands frequently to keep skin oils off,they take on a different patina after burnishing.

The issue is not the steel wool bits. Iknow how I can get those out. The issue is the fact that I have huge gouges along each fret in line with the binding. It is the now typical "Gibson crappy fretboard syndrome". I'm sure you have seen this before. I want to sand down the fretboard and get rid of these gouges. This is not mine, but here is another, more clear example.

crapfret.jpg
 
Re: Can I sand my fretboard?

It looks like it...either that or some machine Gibson uses to do its binding. It matches up almost perfectly with the binding.
 
Re: Can I sand my fretboard?

This is my fourth Gibson and I have yet to see this on any of my others. Aparently this is becoming more and more common. There was just a huge thread over at the Gibson forum. There are many, many more out there like this from what people are saying.
 
Re: Can I sand my fretboard?

wow, i've never seen that before, that's sinful...once again i ask the age old gibson question...how did that pass QC hahaha?? sorry i can't be of much help since i've never come across that before...good luck!!

-Mike
 
Re: Can I sand my fretboard?

Alright... I have WAY lower standards than everyone here. Between not finding any fault with TC's new fretboard (with the line) and thinking that Big Black's fretboard looks just fine (though the one with the HUGE gouges and filler is a bit overboard, I wouldn't mind that axe if it played well... especially if I got a deal:D)

What's wrong with me?:)

slade
 
Re: Can I sand my fretboard?

The gouges on mine are just as bad., but my pics aren't as good. There is NO WAY this is acceptable on an $850 guitar. It would not even be acceptable on a $500 guitar in my book. I have seen Samicks with better boards than this. It is completely rediculous.
 
Re: Can I sand my fretboard?

big_black said:
The gouges on mine are just as bad., but my pics aren't as good. There is NO WAY this is acceptable on an $850 guitar. It would not even be acceptable on a $500 guitar in my book. I have seen Samicks with better boards than this. It is completely rediculous.

Gouges are not accepable on any new guitar. This sort of thing is crappy workmanship bordering on the negligent
 
Re: Can I sand my fretboard?

As much as I don´t want to hear myself say it, I think Gibson is slowly detaching themselves from the real world.... It would be a shame for me to have to boycot them as well, I kind of like my Les Paul and Flying V... ;)
 
Re: Can I sand my fretboard?

Zerberus said:
The Standby Generator or the Sink? :D:D:D:D:D
Damn link wouldnt work!!! I was trying to put a link to a Hilti angle grinder!!! :laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2:
 
Re: Can I sand my fretboard?

theodie said:
Damn link wouldnt work!!! I was trying to put a link to a Hilti angle grinder!!! :laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2:
Hmmm, well , you may know this already, but... You screwed up :laugh2:
 
Re: Can I sand my fretboard?

Zerberus said:
Hmmm, well , you may know this already, but... You screwed up :laugh2:

Gee, you think????


JackA$$!!! :biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh:
 
Re: Can I sand my fretboard?

JJ, you want in on the fun, too? I´ve got more than enough stupid cracks to go around :D:D
 
Re: Can I sand my fretboard?

When you're all done sanding, don't use lemon oil. It just makes everything all greasy and will eventually dry out the wood. I use a little bit of teak oil on my rosewood necks and fretboards and it works like a charm. Wipe it on just like you would lemon oil and let it sit for about eight hours. Good as new!
 
Re: Can I sand my fretboard?

Hmmm... This is the first time I´ve ever heard of lemon oil DRYING OUT the wood... Where did you hear that?

I´ve heard opinions that Teak, rosewood or Bore oil are better, but have never seen any evidence that lemon oil dries out the wood.....It would kind of contradict the "don´t oil it too much" mentality and the very real problems I´ve seen from people not listening ti this advice, as well....
 
Re: Can I sand my fretboard?

I first heard from a luthier on another forum that excessive use of lemon oil can dry out a fretboard, but I noticed on my schecter that the board got dried out after just one application of lemon oil. Granted, I keep my guitars in a fairly dry room, but it isn't uncomfortably dry. Either way, I prefer the feel of teak oil.
 
Re: Can I sand my fretboard?

First, you are a moron for not returning the guitar.

Second, those pics have been posted on forums for the ast year now, al the same pics.

Third, the second photo is not from the factory but a poor fretjob done by a luthier.
 
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Re: Can I sand my fretboard?

bigger_white said:
First, you are a moron for not returning the guitar.

And you are off to a REALLY great start insulting members on your first post...I´d tone it down REAL fast if You want to stick around.... Especially since your nickname and this post immediately classify you as one that is specifically here to antagonize said member.... Especially considering that you resurrected an old thread to do it....

Regardless of the legitimacy of the rest of your post, I think you´re on your best way to being shown the door if you keep it up. You may want to rethink your posting style.... ;)
 
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