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Post subject: American Standard maple fingerboard
Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2012 7:01 am
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Hi all.

I bought a brand new American Standard P Bass (3 tone sunburst w maple fingerboard) a couple of months ago. I use this as my roundwounds P Bass. My 1999 American Standard P Bass wears Fender flats (love it!).

One thing I've kind of noticed is that the 'zing' of using fresh roundwounds against the frets on this new maple fingerboard bass is somehow less than I recall my other P Bass (Rosewood fingerboard) was when it was wearing roundwounds. On close inspection of the maple fingerboard it seems as if the entire frets have been lacquered also. I say this because when i slide my nail over the top of a fret it feels the same as sliding my finger over the lacquered wood i.e. metal usually feels quite different.

Is this how Fender do these fingerboards? I always thought that after lacquering the entire neck, they would then take off the lacquer from the top of the frets and polish them?

I think I read somehwere that with general wear and tear through playing that the lacquer comes away eventually. But I do think it is somehow taking the edge off the potential 'zing' of the string against the fret metal.

Does this sound right, or do I have a bass that hasn't been finished off properly?

Cheers

Keith


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Post subject: Re: American Standard maple fingerboard
Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2012 9:06 am
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keithrobbo wrote:
Hi all...On close inspection of the maple fingerboard it seems as if the entire frets have been lacquered also...Is this how Fender do these fingerboards? I always thought that after lacquering the entire neck, they would then take off the lacquer from the top of the frets and polish them?

I think I read somehwere that with general wear and tear through playing that the lacquer comes away eventually...

..do I have a bass that hasn't been finished off properly?

Cheers

Keith


Greetings Keith.

Your observations are correct and your logic (although also correct) doesn't apply here. The necks are lacquered after the frets are installed and as you've found out, the end user is left to deal with the lacquer residuals over the frets. I don't wait for time to remove the residuals. I take a guitar pick (or similar item) and chip the residuals off the top of the frets as the plastic cannot harm the frets and at the same time, won't take the lacquer off the wood.

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Post subject: Re: American Standard maple fingerboard
Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2012 9:16 am
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I've done the same thing many times. It's a pain in the butt. Sometimes it's hard to get off on allot of the frets....

I am glad to hear about the usage of round wound strings.


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Post subject: Re: American Standard maple fingerboard
Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2012 10:56 am
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Thanks Martian

When I next change strings, I'll see about trying to scrape off lacquer on top of frets with a plastic pick. Either that, or I'll see my friend who is a luthier / guitar repairman and ask him to sand and polish the frets for me.

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1999 American Standard P Bass w Fender Flatwounds
2010 American Standard P Bass w Rotosound Swing Bass 66 Roundwounds
Ashdown ABM 500 EVOIII Head
Ashdown ABM 210T Cab
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Post subject: Re: American Standard maple fingerboard
Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2012 11:08 am
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keithrobbo wrote:
Thanks Martian

When I next change strings, I'll see about trying to scrape off lacquer on top of frets with a plastic pick. Either that, or I'll see my friend who is a luthier / guitar repairman and ask him to sand and polish the frets for me.


You're welcome.

Consider though, there is no need for any abrasives to be used such as sanding to get the lacquer off as this causes unnecessary wear to the frets.

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Post subject: Re: American Standard maple fingerboard
Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2012 7:18 pm
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When I bought my 2011 MIA Pbass with a maple neck, I took some 1000 grit sandpaper, wrapped it around a wood dowel and carefully sanded perpendicular to the neck. It easily removed the overspray from the frets with no possibility of damaging anything.

If you get crazy with it, all it will do is polish the fret metal.


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Post subject: Re: American Standard maple fingerboard
Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 4:48 pm
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I have a 2010 and a 2008 American Standard, both with maple boards.

These two are the antithesis of each other in sound, even with identical strings: my original '08 is deep, dark, thumpy and 'classic' sounding- a real joy for 50's/60's Rock 'n' Roll/Country, whereas my new '10 is bright, glassy, 'growly' as hell; it sustains for ever and a day and is entirely devoid of a single dead spot!

The former weighs 8lb 3; the latter, 9 1/4.

I much prefer the '08.....


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Post subject: Re: American Standard maple fingerboard
Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 8:43 pm
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The 4-string version has been recently outfitted with a Custom Shop 60's split-coil humbucker in the neck position. Jade Green replaces Blaze Pearl in the Fender color chart.


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Post subject: Re: American Standard maple fingerboard
Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 3:19 pm
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Chromeface: I'm lost!

Elaborate, please and explain if you would.


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Post subject: Re: American Standard maple fingerboard
Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2012 12:17 am
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Extra fine steel wool would do it too.


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