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Topic: Cracks in fretboard |
Joseph Lazo
From:
Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 21 Mar 2024 1:39 pm |
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How big a concern is cracking of a wooden fretboard? Seems like it wouldn't be a big problem since we're playing with a slide, but maybe there's more to it than bad aesthetics. For instance:
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Noah Miller
From:
Rocky Hill, CT
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Posted 21 Mar 2024 2:45 pm
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| Structurally, it's a non-issue. It's pretty common in old ebony boards, but as long as the board isn't loose from the neck and the frets aren't faling out, it's really just aesthetic. You can fill it with a mix of ebony dust and glue if it bothers you. |
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Joe A. Roberts
From:
Seoul, South Korea
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Posted 21 Mar 2024 3:08 pm
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Blackwood oboes, flutes and clarinets unfortunately crack all the time, but as Noah mentioned, can be repaired with super glue mixed with wood dust.
Some guys can make gnarly repairs look good and minor ones almost perfect.
Before the glue method was developed, there were all kinds of complicated techniques, like pinning the crack together, or fixing permanent nickel silver bands to compress it together.
I imagine the glue method is easier on a flat plane like a fretboard with much less to worry when the job is like that and merely cosmetic. |
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Stephen Cowell
From:
Round Rock, Texas, USA
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Bill Hatcher
From:
Atlanta Ga. USA
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Posted 22 Mar 2024 10:51 am
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no. use some ebony dust and super glue.
the oil will not make this crack close. this has happened over many decades. no way to swell this closed with lemon oil. plus when you fill the crack with oil, any glue you try to use later will not adhere as well as a clean dry opening. |
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Howard Parker
From:
Maryland
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Posted 22 Mar 2024 11:44 am
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It should be gently oiled/moisturized anyway to prevent further issues. I don't think Stephen meant to pour anything into the cracks.
That wood has undoubtedly suffered from decades of neglect. Several gentle applications of furniture oil would do the fret board a world of good. You can then carry on with any necessary repairs.
h |
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Joseph Lazo
From:
Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 23 Mar 2024 3:32 am
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| I don't own the guitar, so can't do anything with it. Waiting to hear back from the seller. Looks to me like it was pulled out of an attic where it sat for decades. |
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