Fingerboard wood finishing - After Scalloping

[Vai the god of Sound]

What would I use to finish, or polish natural after I scallop?

I suppose it would be alright to scallop the last 4 frets even if they are 18, 19, 20, and 22.

My neck has binding...and I don't think I should scallop with binding on the neck...would that be alright as well (if I did, that is)?

(Edited by Vai the god of Sound at 12:20 pm on April 21, 2002)

[Project Guitar]

=o)
* * * *I've done seveal necks with bindings, no problem..... Just be sure to polish them down to 1500 grit to eliminate any scoring on the plastic/vinal binding itself.

Given that you have a binding I'm guessing your board is Ebony? If so once your down in that 1500 range it should start to take on a natural luster all on it's own. If you need to darken it a touch put a couple of drops of lemon oil or boars oil on a dry rag and lightly buff it into the wood. You can't over do it so don't sweat it. I just prefer not to add to much oil to newly virgin wood since it tends to swell up.

Another way to polish it is to grab a buffing wheel but be careful. In our shops we have 4 set's of the Stew Mac 12" high speed wheels of which one side is dedicated just for polishing fret boards because the frets themselves stain the buffing wheel. If your using a polishing bonnet on a drill your taking a chance on snagging a fret which can launch the neck right out of your hands or pull up a loose ended fret if it isn't seated properly so be careful there.

[Vai the god of Sound]

Thanks Brian,

actually my fretboard is rosewood...

I read up on your site about using the round file to fo the frets..but never mentioned the finishing/polishing...thanks much

[Contra]

If you were going to scallop an entire fingerboard (1-24) besides a 1/4" round file... Up to and in between: What other size round files should I buy? Up to around an inch or two?

[Project Guitar]

Actually on the larger area's I use a contour sander. If you can't afford one or one isn't available try getting your hands on different sized wooden dowels and wrap sand paper around them. That way your not spending a fortune plus your hands won't get as tired as working with files.

Also to protect the frets always cover the wire with masking tape and trim it on the sides using a razor or exacto blade.

[Contra]

Thanks for the tips Brian. They'll come in handy this week. I'll let you know how it turns out.

[Vai the god of Sound]

For sanding the binding...what sandpaper would I use? And could I use the 1/4" round file for fret 18-22?