I was planning on using some high gloss urethane on the back of the neck, but I am not sure what I should put on the fingerboard. I thought about just leaving it stained and calling it good, but shouldn't I put something on it?
The neck is red oak, stained golden oak on the back, and red oak on the fingerboard.
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I have used Formbys gloss oil finish on the necks. I have also put it on the finger board. It will probably need to be applied once a year to keep it looking good. So far it's holding up great. I really like the way it looks. The neck is nice and slick. I have cleaned it with orange oil. Seems to be working. Smells good to.
You don't want anything on the frets themselves. Scotch brite or 600 emery will gently take it off. Once you finish the board tape off the frets and clean/polish them. So you don't nick or dull the finish.
I did some "Googlin" and heres what I learned. Typically most fret boards are unfinished. Some manufacturers recommend a conditioner like Planet Waves Hydrate Fret Board Conditioner. I have heard of people using tung oil also although I have no idea what that is. Supposedly these conditioners stop moisture intrusion and stabilize the board. Stew-Mac has Colortone Fretboard finishing oil. Rickenbacker finishes some of their fret boards. I also read that on Maple fretboards you shouldn't use oil. Lacquer was used on maple. I would think after reading all this that urithane might be ok to. Just plan on redoing it every few years if it gets scuffed up. Let us know how it goes. Chuck
I am no expert so take this for what it is worth, but I would not put it on the fret board. I would be afraid that with pushing the strings down on it while playing (I don't even know how to play) would cause it to flake. I would just us an oil of some kind, i.e., tongue oil. Just my thoughts
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You don't want anything on the frets themselves. Scotch brite or 600 emery will gently take it off. Once you finish the board tape off the frets and clean/polish them. So you don't nick or dull the finish.
I did some "Googlin" and heres what I learned. Typically most fret boards are unfinished. Some manufacturers recommend a conditioner like Planet Waves Hydrate Fret Board Conditioner. I have heard of people using tung oil also although I have no idea what that is. Supposedly these conditioners stop moisture intrusion and stabilize the board. Stew-Mac has Colortone Fretboard finishing oil. Rickenbacker finishes some of their fret boards. I also read that on Maple fretboards you shouldn't use oil. Lacquer was used on maple. I would think after reading all this that urithane might be ok to. Just plan on redoing it every few years if it gets scuffed up. Let us know how it goes. Chuck