I'm wondering if anyone knows of an easy way to darken the Indian Laurel fretboard on the new Squier CVs.
I'm hoping to darken it permanently, and it's my understanding that some of the fretboard oils available are only temporary.
Darkening the fretboard
- PorkyPrimeCut
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Re: Darkening the fretboard
Do a search for "ebonizing" or "Feibling's Leather Dye".
You should find some decent info on ways to darken rosewood.
You should find some decent info on ways to darken rosewood.
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- Bradley-Jazz
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Re: Darkening the fretboard
If you don't want it black, but just darker, I've used scratch cover successfully:
http://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/vie ... r#p1573930
This is my CV Mustang after I did it:
http://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/vie ... r#p1573930
This is my CV Mustang after I did it:
All the cheeses....
- jvin248
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Re: Darkening the fretboard
.
I've tested several and the rank order of effectiveness:
"ebonizing" (steel wool in vinegar)
Leather dye
Minwax Ebony stain
Minwax True Black
Use a 50/50 ammonia/water mix on a rag to scrub off any applied oils to the fretboard
Get a can of True Black and a box of disposable gloves and a small cloth. Go over the fretboard with the dye and don't slop the stain around. A couple of coats with drying between will darken it. Make sure to shake the can of stain well to disperse the color fully (maybe ask at the store you buy it at if they can run it on the paint shaker, if not, shake it well at home before opening).
Get whatever fretboard oil you believe in (many opinions on the Internet) to recondition after the dye dries.
.
I've tested several and the rank order of effectiveness:
"ebonizing" (steel wool in vinegar)
Leather dye
Minwax Ebony stain
Minwax True Black
Use a 50/50 ammonia/water mix on a rag to scrub off any applied oils to the fretboard
Get a can of True Black and a box of disposable gloves and a small cloth. Go over the fretboard with the dye and don't slop the stain around. A couple of coats with drying between will darken it. Make sure to shake the can of stain well to disperse the color fully (maybe ask at the store you buy it at if they can run it on the paint shaker, if not, shake it well at home before opening).
Get whatever fretboard oil you believe in (many opinions on the Internet) to recondition after the dye dries.
.
- Coo1wa11
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Re: Darkening the fretboard
Hey - My first Post*
I've used Febings leather dye - Amazon stocks it but I had mixed results.. I like to use Northwest guitars (UK) dark brown stain and dilute to darken light rosewood.I Tested the leather dye on a import neck and diluted the dye more and more on each fret so I had a spectrum of dye density.
Saldy I didn't photograph it but I would dilute so you can get a more natural > darker look. Then you can always apply again if it nots dark enough.
Also********* Dot / MOP inlays will also dye! only acrylic won't.. AND finally too much leather dye produced a green type of discolouration after apron a year. Did this to my Mim Car Strat and it came out pretty good.
You can't Un-dye a fretboard Remember!!
I've used Febings leather dye - Amazon stocks it but I had mixed results.. I like to use Northwest guitars (UK) dark brown stain and dilute to darken light rosewood.I Tested the leather dye on a import neck and diluted the dye more and more on each fret so I had a spectrum of dye density.
Saldy I didn't photograph it but I would dilute so you can get a more natural > darker look. Then you can always apply again if it nots dark enough.
Also********* Dot / MOP inlays will also dye! only acrylic won't.. AND finally too much leather dye produced a green type of discolouration after apron a year. Did this to my Mim Car Strat and it came out pretty good.
You can't Un-dye a fretboard Remember!!
- Debaser
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Re: Darkening the fretboard
Higgins India ink. Typically you want to dye before you fret and finish, so it's gonna still look pale under the poly coat. I'd brush the ink on with a big watercolor brush since you need to control around the frets. Dry, buff up with scotch brite, and oil, again being mindful of the frets.
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