Maple fretboard finish?

[glenwilliam]

Hi all,
Newbie here - just received my first kit, a JBA-4M and I'm wondering what to use on the fretboard as a finish. Am I best going with dingotone neck finish (I am thinking colourless) or are there other options? I was considering tru-oil for the neck but not sure if I should use this on the fretboard too.

Any advice would be great. Looking forward to getting stuck in and starting a build diary soon!

[McCreed]

Hi glenwilliam.
General rule of thumb is:
rosewood fretboard - unfinished and conditioned with oil (lemon or similar)

maple fretboard - finished with clear coat of your choice.

Most common top coats for maple are polyurethane and lacquer (nitro or acrylic). I've not used Tru Oil on a fretboard, but have done a number of necks (back & headstock) and bodies.

That said, Tru Oil is a very durable finish and would probably be perfectly suitable on the fretboard as well.
I'm sure someone here has done so and will add to the thread.
Poly and Tru Oil have become my preferred for the way it feels in-hand after they're cured.

Tru Oil is a bit of a misnomer in that it is not really an "oil". It's basically a polymerised varnish similar to poly.

There are some that don't finish maple, but they are likely a minority and it's generally not accepted industry practise.

I haven't used any of the DT products, so cannot advise on it's suitability or use.

[Sonic Mountain]

^ What Mcreed said. I've done unfinished and just oiled before and it looks grubby very quickly. I like poly and satin is great on necks and very durable. Just spray over the frets, they clean up once you level and dress them.

[glenwilliam]

Great! Thank you for the advice. Looking forward to getting this thing started!

[wazkelly]

I have done TO on 2 maple fret boards and necks and it goes on so easy and comes up really smooth. No need to tape the frets as they can be cleaned up when doing the final fret polish. Just need to have some of those fret board protectors like these..... https://www.ebay.com.au/i/1537763533...caAqeREALw_wcB

Cheers, Waz

[Simon Barden]

Or even just put masking tape over the board. I have fretboard protectors, which are great for one or two frets, or when fling/sanding down sharp fret ends, but I find it is quicker for a whole neck top tape the board up. I bought a pack of modellers masking tape in different thicknesses, so I don't need to keep cutting standard masting tape into thin strips. One pack will do many guitars. Stuff like this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1