Fretboard fading

[bigonpig]

The color/stain on my fretboard is fading/streaking/not sure what  . It was like this when I bought the guitar (used) but has definitely worsened over time. I was changing my strings today and really noticed how bad it has gotten. Is there anything I can do for this (treat the fretboard with something)? Has anyone else had this problem? Or am I making a mountain out of a molehill? I'd really appreciate any advice.

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[jeremy3220]

Larrivee's do not have stained fretboards. That's the natural coloring of the wood. It's nothing to worry about but if you want it darker, dab a tiny drop of lemon oil on a cloth and wipe it on. That will make it look darker, for awhile anyway.

[Stephen Basil]

This is actually one of the things I like about the 03 series... I think that's a great looking board.

[SMan]

Looks good to me.  I'd embrace it.

[AZLiberty]

Larrivee's do not have stained fretboards.
That's the natural coloring of the wood.

This.  If you want it darker you can rub in a couple drops of lemon oil or walnut oil etc.

[hatofthecat]

Looks good to me.  I'd embrace it.

One of my parlors had a superb streak down the fretboard only added to by a richly bearclawed top  ..... I say let the natural beauty of the wood show through and banish those dyed fretboards and bland characterless straight & even grain tops

Pete

[Mr_LV19E]

I agree, I like the looks of the streaking.
Thats one of the things I like about Larrivee guitars is the fact they don't stain their wood. Au Natural

[SMan]

FWIW I picked out this piece of Koa that I am using for a fretboard because of the grain streaking through it. 

[jbrummer]

My guitar also has a bit of streaking in the fretboard, and like many others here I happen to like it.  Makes me feel like the guitar is mine.  I'd look upon it as an upgrade

[JOYCEfromNS]

None on mine but the above 

[Danny]

   I use lemon oil to clean and treat my fretboards when I change strings. I use a type with no silicone in it and wipe it off after rubbing it in well with a cloth. Don't put the oil directly on the board, use a cloth. Cotton tee shirt is great. You don't want oil under you frets, it will loosen them up.
   I'll try and find a picture of my F-III neck. It looks way cool to me. I liked it as soon as I saw it. I like the way Larrivee lets the wood show through on their sides and backs as well. Though a TSB is pretty nice as well.

[Danny]

  Here is a pic of my neck on my F-III. I see a moon shape at the 4th fret and a milky way kind of look around the 8th on up. I really do like it. It's the first Larrivee I have had like this. It can be dyed but I wouldn't do that for sure.
 It is sitting right next to me now and the neck looks darker since I had treated it. Sorry for the quality of the pic, as most know I don't do so well in that department.

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[unclrob]

Sman and Danny really pretty stuff.

[jeremy3220]

Damn hippies and their striped fingerboards 

[hatofthecat]

That is just pure Koa porn !!!!    ...do post some pics of the finished instrument 

Pete

FWIW I picked out this piece of Koa that I am using for a fretboard because of the grain streaking through it. 

[SMan]

 

That is just pure Koa porn !!!!    ...do post some pics of the finished instrument 

Pete

Thanks pete and rob.   

The build has slowed because it is being done as a teaching process at my friends shop 70 miles away, and my schedule has allowed less time, but it is getting close.  The body is done, the fretboard is now on the neck and I have just finished shaping the Koa bridge.  I'll be learning to fret and shape the neck on my next visit.  Then I'll attach the neck and play it for a week or so to see if any tweaks are needed and then put the finish on it.  Hopefully it will turn out well enough to share. 

[bigonpig]

I did rub the board down with some oil before putting the new strings on. Just wanted to make sure that I wasn't doing something wrong with the git. I do kinda like the look as well. Thanks for your input and cool pics! Very cool koa--that'll be one nice guitar when finished. 

[OutWithTheBlue]

There is this stuff called "guitar honey" and its supposedly made especially for ebony fretboards...seems to keep them nice and richly dark from my experience so far.

[hatofthecat]

I assume you mean this stuff http://gerlitzusa.com/prd_honey.html

In the blurb it says "protecting against moisture, sweat, alcohol & grime in general."... so now it'll be okay to open beer bottles by smashing them against my guitar neck then 

Pete

[Mr_LV19E]

I assume you mean this stuff http://gerlitzusa.com/prd_honey.html

In the blurb it says "protecting against moisture, sweat, alcohol & grime in general."... so now it'll be okay to open beer bottles by smashing them against my guitar neck then 

Pete

Looks a lot like this stuff with a different label.


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