New SG - fretboard question

[hydro]

Hey all,

Got the new (to me) SG - it's a 2008 Standard, black. It needs a little love and new pickups but I got it for a song.

So here's my question - it has a rosewood board, with inlays. It's a little light for my tastes. Of course it also needs to be conditioned, the wood is super dry. Is there a stain and/or fretboard conditioner that will darken the rosewood up some, while leaving the inlays unharmed? What would y'all recommend? Pic below.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: New SG - fretboard question

Oil will darken it (I use Lemon Oil on mine, Linseed will work but you have to wipe off the excess as Linseed tends to gum up)–I would try that first before attempting to dye the wood.


EDIT: I don't recommend it, but it looks like a guy dyed his Rosewood board here

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: New SG - fretboard question

Yum!

Get tired of seeing Red ones all the time.

'Grats!

 

[hydro]

Re: New SG - fretboard question

Oil will darken it (I use Lemon Oil on mine, Linseed will work but you have to wipe off the excess as Linseed tends to gum up)–I would try that first before attempting to dye the wood.


EDIT: I don't recommend it, but it looks like a guy dyed his Rosewood board here

Yeah, the more I think about it I will probably just use oil rather than try to color it. The fretboard is REALLY dry - the first owner got it from Best Buy when they were stocking Gibsons a while back. Best Buy, I am sure, did nothing to set it up or take care of it and my friend sort of bought it and didn't really play it much, so it's been neglected. I bet that once I clean and oil that board it will look great.

That's one thing I kind of loathe about the big box stores that stock Gibsons. They often just don't take care of them or set them up well and they can sit in the store for a loooong time. Whereas my local independent Gibson reseller does a good job taking care of their stock. It is a legitimate reason, besides sentiment, to buy from your local dealers.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: New SG - fretboard question

Yeah, the more I think about it I will probably just use oil rather than try to color it. The fretboard is REALLY dry - the first owner got it from Best Buy when they were stocking Gibsons a while back. Best Buy, I am sure, did nothing to set it up or take care of it and my friend sort of bought it and didn't really play it much, so it's been neglected. I bet that once I clean and oil that board it will look great.

That's one thing I kind of loathe about the big box stores that stock Gibsons. They often just don't take care of them or set them up well and they can sit in the store for a loooong time. Whereas my local independent Gibson reseller does a good job taking care of their stock. It is a legitimate reason, besides sentiment, to buy from your local dealers.

I did not know that Best Buy stocked Gibsons. lol I'm sure there are employees at Best Buy who know how to take care of a guitar but I assume the vast majority do not...

If its been neglected and the fretboard is really dry then you may need a couple of coats of oil on the board. If you can, post a pic once you've oiled it, the board should definitely be darker.

 

[hydro]

Re: New SG - fretboard question

I did not know that Best Buy stocked Gibsons. lol I'm sure there are employees at Best Buy who know how to take care of a guitar but I assume the vast majority do not...

If its been neglected and the fretboard is really dry then you may need a couple of coats of oil on the board. If you can, post a pic once you've oiled it, the board should definitely be darker.

Will do. I'm going to try the woodwind bore oil stuff that people seem to swear by.

At one point, Best Buy tried out a music gear section in some selected stores, and I do recall they had some Gibsons in there. If I recall correctly they discontinued that business pretty quickly and closed up their music instrument department, but maybe there are still some stores that have a section.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: New SG - fretboard question

Will do. I'm going to try the woodwind bore oil stuff that people seem to swear by.

At one point, Best Buy tried out a music gear section in some selected stores, and I do recall they had some Gibsons in there. If I recall correctly they discontinued that business pretty quickly and closed up their music instrument department, but maybe there are still some stores that have a section.

I've never heard of using Woodwind Bore Oil so I looked it up. Found this article and am intrigued.

 

[hydro]

Re: New SG - fretboard question

I've never heard of using Woodwind Bore Oil so I looked it up. Found this article and am intrigued.

Yep that's the guy I am going to order from. I have been using an old vial of lemon oil from an abandoned wood shop... and it works well but I am going to plunk down my $$ for the special sauce!

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: New SG - fretboard question

Yep that's the guy I am going to order from. I have been using an old vial of lemon oil from an abandoned wood shop... and it works well but I am going to plunk down my $$ for the special sauce!

Sweet man! Interested to see what you think and how it works on that SG!

 

[Wattage]

Re: New SG - fretboard question

Hey nice guitar

I use F-One Oil

Love this stuff

 

[Taz Rules]

Re: New SG - fretboard question

Will do. I'm going to try the woodwind bore oil stuff that people seem to swear by.

At one point, Best Buy tried out a music gear section in some selected stores, and I do recall they had some Gibsons in there. If I recall correctly they discontinued that business pretty quickly and closed up their music instrument department, but maybe there are still some stores that have a section.

The Best Buy near me has a full wall of guitars and gives lessons. Fender USA asnd MIM as well as cheaper models. Gibsons as well as Epiphones. Also Gretsch and a few others. Boss pedals and a selection of both tube ans ss amps. They also have drums, keyboards and mics.

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: New SG - fretboard question

Blow your money on gimmickry if you want- I say get a can of Scotts liquid Gold. Would I use it on a 75 thousand dollar guitar? -no. For most of my crap this stuff is cheap ( 6 bucks a can, lasts forever), and is just about as good as anything, or better.

 

[Obsessive Compulsive]

Re: New SG - fretboard question

Balinese artists use shoe polish compound (Kiwi most likely) diluted in benzine to color their carvings.

 

[Wattage]

Re: New SG - fretboard question

Scott's on a guitar? No thanks, might be good for cleaning but it has napatha in it which will dry the board out over time.

 

[hydro]

Re: New SG - fretboard question

The Best Buy near me has a full wall of guitars and gives lessons. Fender USA asnd MIM as well as cheaper models. Gibsons as well as Epiphones. Also Gretsch and a few others. Boss pedals and a selection of both tube ans ss amps. They also have drums, keyboards and mics.

Ah, so they must have just shut down that department at my local Best Buy then.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: New SG - fretboard question

I bet you could add a few drops of leather dye to the right oil and it would darken it slightly. I have stained rosewood boards completely black in the past and its pretty easy to do. Still i don't know why you would your guitar looks fine.

 

[hydro]

Re: New SG - fretboard question

Blow your money on gimmickry if you want- I say get a can of Scotts liquid Gold. Would I use it on a 75 thousand dollar guitar? -no. For most of my crap this stuff is cheap ( 6 bucks a can, lasts forever), and is just about as good as anything, or better.

An added benefit is that you can huff the fumes when you're done!

I have used some stuff like this before. In general I have found guitars are tougher than we think they are. I have used everything from goo gone, lemon oil, napthla, plain old soap and water, to Dr. Ducks, lighter fluid, alcohol... all kinds of stuff to clean off or condition guitars. But I am gonna give the magic potion a try, one bottle ought to last me for a long time.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: New SG - fretboard question

The products I use are Dunlop 65 Fretboard Cleaner and Fretboard Conditioner; Gerlitz Guitar Honey; and the Music Nomad F-One oil. The fret Doctor bore oil has a great rep.

I like the board on your guitar. In the pic it shows nice figure.

Congrats.

Bill

 

[jtees4]

Re: New SG - fretboard question

I have been using the same little bottle of lemon oil since the 70's. Works great (I hate light boards) and lasts forever. I still have close to half a bottle.

 

[Mr. B]

Re: New SG - fretboard question

Keep in mind that you don't want to work too much oil down into the wood as it could loosen your frets.