I have a Taylor guitar with a eucalyptus fingerboard. I've had it for a few months and I like how fast it is, like maple or ebony. But it isn't really all that smooth when bending strings. I play elixers/Daddarios usually 10s but just got some Daddario Super Light 9s. They were actually hard to find even on their website but they do make them.
Anyway, does anyone else have any info or input on eucalyptus as a fretboard material? I'm hoping the surface will break in and smooth out. I've F-One oiled it, but I only have a couple of hours play time the guitar and was hoping one of you might know something.
It's the Walnut/Spruce AD12e. Sounds and looks amazing. Has perfect intonation, but I wish the board was ebony.
Regarding polishing; steel wool, sandpaper or rubbing compound; it is just an abrasive.There’s not really too many reasons to use steel wool anymore because there are better modern alternatives. I’ve only messed around with an Ebony fretboard and I am a dumbass so take the following advice with a grain of salt; I think I would start with 600 or 1000Grit wet dry automotive sandpaper (Depending on surface condition of the wood) with a stiffer backing block. Use it wet. Move on to 1500, 2000 and then switch to automotive buffing compounds on a cotton rag, If necessary. 3M has some really nice product lines. You’re probably going to want to clean that rubbing compound off extremely thoroughly and quickly. Also common brass polish and silver polish are very similar to automotive rubbing compound just with much shittier quality control.
If I recall eucalyptus has a fiber structure much like white or red oak which is nowhere near as dense as Ebony. It’s grain structure may be open enough to technically be categorized as a “softwood.” Perhaps it was used primarily for its “Tone-wood“ characteristics rather than its durability? But I don’t remember. Haven’t messed with this shit in years.
Name 1 points 2.4 years ago
Send an email to the manufacturer and ask them.
Regarding polishing; steel wool, sandpaper or rubbing compound; it is just an abrasive.There’s not really too many reasons to use steel wool anymore because there are better modern alternatives. I’ve only messed around with an Ebony fretboard and I am a dumbass so take the following advice with a grain of salt; I think I would start with 600 or 1000Grit wet dry automotive sandpaper (Depending on surface condition of the wood) with a stiffer backing block. Use it wet. Move on to 1500, 2000 and then switch to automotive buffing compounds on a cotton rag, If necessary. 3M has some really nice product lines. You’re probably going to want to clean that rubbing compound off extremely thoroughly and quickly. Also common brass polish and silver polish are very similar to automotive rubbing compound just with much shittier quality control.
If I recall eucalyptus has a fiber structure much like white or red oak which is nowhere near as dense as Ebony. It’s grain structure may be open enough to technically be categorized as a “softwood.” Perhaps it was used primarily for its “Tone-wood“ characteristics rather than its durability? But I don’t remember. Haven’t messed with this shit in years.