Darkening the color of a rosewood fretboard

[Drache713]

I've searched the forums and read up a little on it, but I still can't find any certain solution. The best bet seems to be lemon oil, but again it seems from what I've read that may cause some damage. So tell me, what IS the best, most effective way to darken the color of your rosewood fretboard safely?

[littlegreenman]

lemon oil won't damage your fretboard, but it won't darken it alot either. Usually an analine dye is the best way to darken a board.

The lemon oil keep the board moistened, (not wet, just fresh) If you want to see how dark the lemon oil will make it, just dampen a paper towel and wet the fretboard, that's how dark it will look.

[Drache713]

So what do you recomend I do to darken the color of the fretboard, lgm?

[littlegreenman]

Like I say, an analine dye, you could try a wood stain maybe too. www.stewmac.com has some differnet dye's you could probably use, I've never tried them because most of that crap can't be shipped to Canada thanks to dangerous good laws.

[Texter]

I just use olive oil every once in a while and have the best looking SG-fretboard on the northern hemisphere.

[Texter]

I just use olive oil every once in a while and have the best looking SG-fretboard on the northern hemisphere.

Darn double posts.

[bryangraye]

I wanted to darken my UV rosewood board and read the tutorial on project guitar 'ebonizing'.
I didn't like the fact that a lacquer was recommended to finish (don't like lacquered fretboards).

Olive oil eh - any finishing needed? Do you need wet the board to raise grain or anything, or just apply the oil?

[Texter]

first I use a toothbrush and some mild handsoapy water to get the grease and dirt off. Then some normal water to get the soap off. Let dry. Then apply some olive oil...not too much...use some papertowl to get the surplus off...after that some lemon oil for protection and all. Works nicely as far as I can tell.

[The Dark Wolf]

I'll add a second voice to the fact that lemon oil WON'T damage your fretboard. I use it on all my guitars, and it keeps the board fresh and smooth, as well as darkening the color. Most recommend at least a once a year treatment, but I treat the board with every string change, and no ill effects. Quite the contrary. It also does darken up the board a bit, but like lgm says, it's not hugely significant. It is noticeable, however. It seems largely dependant on the color and properties of the rosewood on the particular board. With my 2027, after applying lemon oil, the rosewood board almost resembles ebony, a very, very dark red-brown. I have a project guitar I may try the olive oil treatment on. Sounds interesting!

[hyesac]

lemon oil will NOT damage the wood if you dont use it excessively, i have been using it on my fretboards for years!!

[steve]

Tung oil.
Darkens, treats, seals, polishes up to glassy smoothness...
I use this on fronts/backs of my necks...

[JESTER700]

I read on another forum about using vinegar(!). Apparently, the chemical reaction darkens the wood. IIRC, none of the "experts" on that board chimed in, so I'm hesitent to try it until someone really in the know says it's OK.

[jeff l]

Olive oil, vinegar, are we working on guitars or making a salad?

I use lemon oil. It's never damaged a guitar of mine and it does darken rosewood a tad.

[bryangraye]

perhaps, to darken the wood more drastically, a diluted dye and then oil to finish might do.

[chromeboy]

My tech uses bore oil on my boards....a little goes a long way.