Glossy Rosewood Fretboard?

BriGuy1968

BriGuy1968

New member
I kinda dig the glossy maple fretboards you find on many Fenders, and I have a little project I’m going to start this weekend which involves refinishing a cheap neck I got from GuitarFetish’s Factory Buyout Clearance section a year or so ago.

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It has a rosewood fretboard and I’m tempted to finish it glossy at the same time as I do the rest of the neck. Any idea why most people leave rosewood unfinished? If it’s just because it’s hard enough that it doesn’t require it, then I’ll probably give it a try. Anyone know of any other reason why it might be a bad idea?

Thanks a bunch!


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Re: Glossy Rosewood Fretboard?

Hmmmm...

Well, I suppose if it’s good enough for a Rick…

[emoji12]


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Re: Glossy Rosewood Fretboard?

no reason ya cant, like he said, rick does it all the time. it is a cool look too
 
Re: Glossy Rosewood Fretboard?

Rickenbacker used bubinga fretboards. It’s not as oily as rosewood.

You would probably get it to work, but I’d worry it might delaminate eventually. If you try it, wipe the board down with some acetone first to de-oil it.


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Re: Glossy Rosewood Fretboard?

I've finished a few woods including rosewood. Still going strong.

Of note is that the side of the rosewood board is finished in every non bound neck. Personally I've not found an extensive list of people complaining of peeling, but the tip of de-oiling/de-contamination would be worth doing in any case for any surface you wish to put finish on.
 
Re: Glossy Rosewood Fretboard?

I had a friend who sanded his rosewood fretboard very smooth, then used one of those oil finishes (either tru oil or Danish oil, can't remember which one) and it ended up semi-glossy, and not feeling like rosewood at all. Might give that a go.
 
Re: Glossy Rosewood Fretboard?

First I'd try using something like F-One Oil, let it sit overnight then buff the hell out of it and see if that would work for you.
 
Re: Glossy Rosewood Fretboard?

I've finished rosewood and many other hardwood fretboards with lacquer and urethane with no problems at all. I really like the look and feel of a finished fretboard like Fender and Ric.

Go for it.
 
Re: Glossy Rosewood Fretboard?

I used to de-oil rosewood with acetone and sealed it with shellac. Shellac is great on oily woods.
 
Re: Glossy Rosewood Fretboard?

Thanks for all the input, guys!

I went ahead and used gloss urethane on it and I’m really liking the result. The fretboard has 4 coats now, which should be sufficient, and it looks like you can reach down into the wood! Here’s a pic, although it doesn’t really do justice to the real thing...

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What’s that funk on the headstock you ask? Oh, that’s just my humorous attempt at a “custom logo!” [emoji23] I’ve been drawing that little Viking dude on everything since I was a teenager, so...

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Thanks again!


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