Are Fender using a different wood or treating the fretboard with some new finish? The grain seems filled in somehow and quite unlike more traditional rosewood boards. It's incredibly smooth compared to older models.

I feel the same way about my 60's reissue strat i got this past year. The neck on it is amazing and the fretboard does seem to be waxy and very smooth. I find it very nice to play on though.

I love the look of rosewood fretboards.

Are you finding it to be hindering your playing?

Hello Big Leftie,

Firstly welcome to the Forum.

I presently own 4 Stratocasters all of them
appear to be untreated. All the ones I've
owned and had in the past also untreated.
Natural resins are present in rosewood
could this be what your considering a treatment,
Food for thought.

Cheers.

Hi Guys, I don't think we're getting any closr to this. My other guitars with rosewood fretboards, you see the grain open and you feel the wood. I know lemon oil nourishes etc but it does not make the board waxy as the new strats. They have more the feel of ebony. I'm sure that they are being treated with something. Not complaining because it is an excelent finish - just curious as to what mojo is going on.

I bought a cheapo les paul with a bad board on it. I tried wax, oil then finaly beeswax. That improved it no end and bought about a very smooth feel.

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No no and no

I've been using that Dunlop fretbaord cleaner and it makes a heck of a difference.

I remember reading something about the cosmetics and treatments for the new Fenders... but it didn't really get into detail.

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-Classic 50's Strat.
-Std. Telecaster.
-Mike Dirnt P-bass.
-Custody of SE Strat.
-Peavey Predator/Dean Evo/Epiphone DR150/Gibson Slide (much older than me).

Rellik Productions Inc.

I've also used beeswax and it does wonders for the fretboard but it does mellow off the brightness of tone

Yeah i heard the treble drop off too, but on a cheap les paul that wasnt right in the firstplace i take that as a welcome payoff to good playability.
You can always do something to bring the zing back even if you have to go to a outboard eq.

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No no and no