You know what really grinds my gears?

[rsm]

when guitar makers make black, especially satin black, guitars, black hardware, black pickups, and then have a light brown / reddish brown fretboard.

why?

who looks at that, and says: "YES!" It could be former members of Ibanez bass color design team who seem to love various shades of shit brown.



Using India Ink, I darkened my fretboard. In the pic you can see what it looked like from the factory vs after 4 coats of ink:

Clearly I missed a spot, already fixed; but I plan another 3-4 coats.

 

[VonBonfire]

Using India Ink

I know this woman who makes a gnarly love potion using that stuff.

 

[rsm]

#9?

 

[VonBonfire]

#9?

I see I am not the only one familiar with Madam Rue's potion.

 

[NowYou'rePlayingWithPower]

Never understood the appeal of using rosewood/pau ferro/laurel on a black guitar.
Rather see richlite, tbh.
India ink is the way to go when all else fails, though.
Violin and Cello makers have been using it forever on streaked ebony fingerboards.

 

[Speeddemon]

Ehm... What is India ink? Is it specific for instrument making or also used for furniture? Honestly never heard of it. And for the record, it grinds my gears as well.

 

[NowYou'rePlayingWithPower]

Ehm... What is India ink? Is it specific for instrument making or also used for furniture? Honestly never heard of it. And for the record, it grinds my gears as well.

It's super old ink that the Chinese and Indians have been using for a long time. Like thousands of years. Pretty much oil and tree soot. Modern versions use mixed with like shellac or something like that to help keep it waterproof. Love the stuff for sketching.

 

[roodboy]

does that stuff end up on your fingers when playing?

 

[rsm]

does that stuff end up on your fingers when playing?

hasn't so far; I've used this on another guitar and haven't had any issues. maybe if your hands get very sweaty?

I've seen a few people in vids use a fretboard wax on it, I haven't

 

[Floyd Eye]

India Ink is used widely for tattoos.

 

[rsm]

Ehm... What is India ink? Is it specific for instrument making or also used for furniture? Honestly never heard of it. And for the record, it grinds my gears as well.

It's the ink that was used in old fountain pens; I think it's marketed for that, and calligraphy artists.

This is what I use, got it from Amazon. There are a few videos on using it; all recommend the non-waterproof; some also seal it in with fretboard wax which I haven't tried.

 

[rsm]

This was the video that convinced me to try it on another guitar awhile back; and to use HIggins India Ink.

 

[Greazygeo]

This was the video that convinced me to try it on another guitar awhile back; and to use HIggins India Ink.

I used this on the Guild I restored. After readiusing the fretboard the original stain was gone showing the streaks in the ebony. Did a few coats and looks like it did. May paste wax it like Gibson does. I like that on my SG Custom.

 

[Chase42147]

That's an awesome idea. Does it stay on well, or do you have to reapply it periodically?

 

[fek]

I have a Skolnick LTD that I love, but the fingerboard is much lighter than I would prefer. This looks like it could be the fix!

 

[Speeddemon]

It's the ink that was used in old fountain pens; I think it's marketed for that, and calligraphy artists.

This is what I use, got it from Amazon. There are a few videos on using it; all recommend the non-waterproof; some also seal it in with fretboard wax which I haven't tried.

Doh!

I've worked with this stuff in elementary school even. Indeed written with it. We call 'East-Indian ink' and for some reason I didn't make the connection to India ink.
But yeah, good to know you can use this to stain fretboards. I got a Burny Les Paul Custom in black with a rosewood fb that's pretty dark already, but I wouldn't mind it to look closer to actual ebony.

 

[rsm]

That's an awesome idea. Does it stay on well, or do you have to reapply it periodically?

Haven't had any issues or need to reapply; I suspect under heavy use and sweat it may need a touchup.

 

[BeZo]

I know I can't be the only person on this site that likes to see wood.

 

[Monkey Man]

Haven't had any issues or need to reapply; I suspect under heavy use and sweat it may need a touchup.

That's what I was thinking bro'.

Shit's not waterproof so sweat & moisture will theoretically lead to leaching / smudging, which TBH wouldn't really be a problem for the fretboard or frets, but one might have to wipe one's hands after playing or wear only back clothes.

 

[rsm]

I know I can't be the only person on this site that likes to see wood.

can still see the wood, just darker. that said, I'd rather have black richlite fretboard; harder, darker and less impact from temperature and humidity changes