darken a walnut fretboard

[slowesthand]

hello everyone! Has anyone had any experience with trying to darken a walnut board? I have a new Yamaha with one, and it is just so Blah looking , almost gray tone. I like everything else about the guitar and have been trying to find the best way to darken the fretboard. Oils, stains, gel stains , ink etc etc.

Anyone ever attempt this, and what were your results?

thanks.

[keith.rogers]

It will oxidize and darken over time, but if it's not sealed, any kind of oil might darken it somewhat earlier. Do not overdo it! You could also try a dark wax product like the Minwax stuff. It does not penetrate lacquer or poly finishes so safe for fingerboards.

A finishing oil, like "Danish" or Tung could do that, too, but it will seal it, and have a different feel, plus potentially slow oxidation/aging of the appearance.

I'd stay away from anything with a stain or dye because a stray drop might be a cause for tears.

[JayBee1404]

Tim McKnight’s Fretboard Revival Balm will darken, beautify, and protect the walnut and the frets. I used it on my acoustic guitars’ ebony boards and my Strat’s Pau Ferro board two years ago. All looked and felt amazing at that time, and still do two years later.

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=600972

As always, the standard disclaimer applies - IMHO. However, I realise that YMMV, and I’m cool with that.

[renoslim]

I've used this on rosewood. Works great. Should work ok on walnut.

https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tool...finishing-oil/

Lee

[MidnightPicker]

I use Old English lemon oil (sparingly) on my Fender that had a lighter looking walnut fingerboard. Darkened up nicely. I’ve used it on my Yamaha as well but that one didn’t look as bad.

[slowesthand]

Originally Posted by MidnightPicker

I use Old English lemon oil (sparingly) on my Fender that had a lighter looking walnut fingerboard. Darkened up nicely. I’ve used it on my Yamaha as well but that one didn’t look as bad.

Midnight Picker, how long did the application last before fading?

[JayBee1404]

Bear in mind that ‘lemon oil’ is nothing of the sort - it’s just some kind of mineral oil with added lemon scent.

[Talk2Me]

Originally Posted by JayBee1404

Bear in mind that ‘lemon oil’ is nothing of the sort - it’s just some kind of mineral oil with added lemon scent.

Yep. Real lemon is acidic so it wouldn't make sense to use actual lemons.

[UncleJesse]

Originally Posted by JayBee1404

Tim McKnight’s Fretboard Revival Balm will darken, beautify, and protect the walnut and the frets. I used it on my acoustic guitars’ ebony boards and my Strat’s Pau Ferro board two years ago. All looked and felt amazing at that time, and still do two years later.

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=600972

As always, the standard disclaimer applies - IMHO. However, I realise that YMMV, and I’m cool with that.

I'll second the McKnight revival balm. It doesn't do as dark as some other options but it looks so much better and feels great too. I have some Montypresso Relic Wax here but haven't tried it yet. It's supposed to do something similar. Here's my before and after.

[Godfather]

Here is a very recent thread on this topic.

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=685315

I too am a fan of the amazing McKnight product!

[abn556]

Originally Posted by renoslim

I've used this on rosewood. Works great. Should work ok on walnut.

https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tool...finishing-oil/

Lee

I just used some of that on a walnut fingerboard and it worked great. I may go over it again next time I change the strings on that guitar.

I also ordered some of McKnight’s board lube to try that out.

[Rev Roy]

I’ve used MusicNomad F-ONE oil for years. Does the job nice.
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...a&gclsrc=3p.ds

[MidnightPicker]

Originally Posted by slowesthand

Midnight Picker, how long did the application last before fading?

It’s more or less remained darker than when I bought it, I did initial application around the end of summer and gave it another quick wipe around the beginning of year. I applied to the bridge too, which was also very light and/or dry looking.

[Tim McKnight]

Problem is if you used oil on it first and then tried stains over that the stain won’t likely penetrate the oil and darken the wood.