I'm working on my first ever commissioned CBG and I've got a few questions for the more knowledgeable folks out there.
I've heard that fretboards are ideally "conditioned" with a little linseed oil. Is this correct and are there any alternatives to linseed oil?
I'm also looking into trying some epoxy inlays for the first time and was wondering if anyone had recommendations on a brand/type of epoxy or pigments (I'd like a nice pearl look).
Tags:
Everybody has their own opinions on how to "finish" the fretboard. My personal preference is 3 heaping coats of tung oil finish, rubbed with fine steel wool in between each coat. But like I said, everyone has their own favorite technique.
You're best off digging through the plenty of old discussions on this board for some ideas, and then doing a few tests. Find out what you like to work with.
(1) Sand it to 600 grit.
(2) Christen it with sweat.
(3) Whenever you change strings, clean it with some old underwear and Stewart MacDonald Preserve Polish.
Linseed oil never gets hard in my opinion, stays sticky, tung oil and fine steel wool guy here also. I've messed around some with tinted epoxy and just didn't like the finished product. It always undercut when I tried to level it. I firmly believe it has to do with trying to get enough pigment powder in it weakens the epoxy. It's really not that much more work to get round MOP inlay and a brad bit and or light colored dowel rods. A drill press really helps here.
Don
I really appreciate the feedback guys. The reason I asked about the linseed oil is that I couldn't find any at the local stores. Tung Oil is pretty plentiful, though. I'll have to test it out...
The reason I wanted to use epoxy is because I want to carve out some custom fret markings, not just the standard round ones.
Jason, If you have an automotive paint supply store in your area ask about tinting powder for pearl finishes and the like. Woodcraft stores or perhaps Ace hardware carry a 24 set expoxy. Don't even bother with the 5 minute crap, that's for little girls. You may have better luck than I with the process. Premix the epoxy then add the tint powder. Pick up with toothpick whatever apply to inlay. Let it cure at least two days before sanding flat. Try a trial piece. You might think about using crushed stone and epoxy for inlay.
http://www.arizonagourds.com/inlace.html
Don
Jason W. said:
I really appreciate the feedback guys. The reason I asked about the linseed oil is that I couldn't find any at the local stores. Tung Oil is pretty plentiful, though. I'll have to test it out...
The reason I wanted to use epoxy is because I want to carve out some custom fret markings, not just the standard round ones.
Ah, excellent. Thats what I was looking for. I'll try things out and post how they go.
Thanks for the info guys!
Don Thompson said:
Jason, If you have an automotive paint supply store in your area ask about tinting powder for pearl finishes and the like. Woodcraft stores or perhaps Ace hardware carry a 24 set expoxy. Don't even bother with the 5 minute crap, that's for little girls. You may have better luck than I with the process. Premix the epoxy then add the tint powder. Pick up with toothpick whatever apply to inlay. Let it cure at least two days before sanding flat. Try a trial piece. You might think about using crushed stone and epoxy for inlay.
http://www.arizonagourds.com/inlace.html
Don
Jason W. said:I really appreciate the feedback guys. The reason I asked about the linseed oil is that I couldn't find any at the local stores. Tung Oil is pretty plentiful, though. I'll have to test it out...
The reason I wanted to use epoxy is because I want to carve out some custom fret markings, not just the standard round ones.
Wet sand with olive oil.
SO, I've done some experimenting. I tried a 330 epoxy mixture and an "opaque epoxy pigment". The result were not very good. It didn't stand out very well and it never fully dried.
Now I'm playing alchemist and trying some stuff with epoxy and embossing powder. I did a heated mixture last night that hardened up very nicely, but only in the can I was mixing it in. If I could just get it from the can to the inlays now...
Just crazy enough to work!!
Josh Gayou (SmokehouseGuitars) said:
Wet sand with olive oil.
Jason, If you have an automotive paint supply store in your area ask about tinting powder for pearl finishes and the like. Woodcraft stores or perhaps Ace hardware carry a 24 set expoxy. Don't even bother with the 5 minute crap, that's for little girls. You may have better luck than I with the process. Premix the epoxy then add the tint powder. Pick up with toothpick whatever apply to inlay. Let it cure at least two days before sanding flat. Try a trial piece. You might think about using crushed stone and epoxy for inlay.
http://www.arizonagourds.com/inlace.html
Don
Jason W. said:I really appreciate the feedback guys. The reason I asked about the linseed oil is that I couldn't find any at the local stores. Tung Oil is pretty plentiful, though. I'll have to test it out...
The reason I wanted to use epoxy is because I want to carve out some custom fret markings, not just the standard round ones.
I have painted over 400 guitars in my life. I have also experimented with many finishes on guitars. Polymerized tung oil is superior to linseed oil. One of my electric guitars is finished with Sutherland Welles polymerized tung oil, this finish is very natural looking and very durable. You can research this product here:
http://www.sutherlandwelles.com/tung-oil/why/
It's not cheap, but it is the best tung oil I have ever used.
I have done some custom inlays in the past. I bought some nice turquoise from a rock hound once who told me I could smash the turquoise into a powder and mix that with epoxy to do custom inlays with it. I tried it and it worked great. Just fill your inlay and sand it flush after it hardens.
Started by Bill Andy in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Southern Ray yesterday. 11 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Bill Andy in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Taffy Evans on Sunday. 6 Replies 0 Likes
Started by J. D. Woods in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 26. 8 Replies 1 Like
Started by Southern Ray in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 26. 6 Replies 0 Likes
Started by J. D. Woods in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by BrianQ. Apr 25. 4 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Rich Butters in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Crazed Fandango Apr 22. 4 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Nomad Jack in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by J. D. Woods Apr 17. 7 Replies 2 Likes
Started by Moritz Voegeli in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 14. 6 Replies 2 Likes
Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Apr 10. 14 Replies 3 Likes
Started by Tom T in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 9. 9 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Southern Ray in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 4. 7 Replies 1 Like
Started by Timothy Hunter in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 27. 1 Reply 2 Likes
Started by Taffy Evans in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 10. 1 Reply 3 Likes
Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by BrianQ. Mar 9. 4 Replies 3 Likes
Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies 1 Like
Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Ken I in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Brian partington Mar 8. 8 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Southern Ray in Cool gear discussion - that's not cigar box related. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 6. 5 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Taffy Evans in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 5. 4 Replies 2 Likes
Posted by Vlad on March 31, 2024 at 11:48pm 0 Comments 1 Like
Posted by Vlad on March 6, 2024 at 2:32am 5 Comments 2 Likes
Posted by billy jones bluez on February 28, 2024 at 2:09pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by billy jones bluez on February 17, 2024 at 11:00pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by Vlad on February 11, 2024 at 1:06am 1 Comment 1 Like
May 11, 2024 from 11am to 8pm – Speakeasy Grill
0 Comments 0 LikesMay 30, 2024 from 6:30pm to 10pm – The Casual Pint of Huntsville
0 Comments 0 Likes© 2024 Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker. Powered by
Cigar Box Nation is presented by C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply, your one-stop-shop for Cigar Box Guitar parts and accessories!