Filling a chip in an unfinished maple fingerboard???

[brett8388]

Can this be done? I just got a killer EVH MM and there is an erasor sized chip in the maple fingerboard that looks like hell. Can I fill it? How???

Thanks.

[sully]

Re: Filling a chip in an unfinished maple fingerboard???

i'd guess that maple sawdust + wood glue should do it for ya. it's still gonna be noticeable, tho. i know that for ebony, you can fill chips with super glue in a pinch, but not sure about maple.

sully

[vwall]

Re: Filling a chip in an unfinished maple fingerboard???

Brett, yes you can use the CA glue on the maple.
I may suggest you get a thicker CA glue that doesnt set up as fast as reg crazy or super glue.
(try a hobby shop or an RC plane shop. Other wise you may have to order it online.. It can be hard to find)
Also, if you have nay old maple necks laying around, I would do a practice run to see how it turns out... Just to be safe...

PS: so you went with the MM instead of the Dna..
That guy wasnt budging on his price???)

[mm2002]

Re: Filling a chip in an unfinished maple fingerboard???

The tricky part is recreating the grain pattern in the maple. With the ebony that's not an issue. The type of CA glue you use is irrelevant as they are all basically the same thing, the only difference is the amount of solids in the mix. Your best hope is to carefully slice out a thin piece of the maple and attempt to glue in another piece which somewhat matches the grain. If you're careful it can be done. Sorry, but glue and sawdust will never look right with maple.
Just my two pennies!

[Jim Shine]

Re: Filling a chip in an unfinished maple fingerboard???

I agree. Maple dust in glue is a different color than straight maple with or without a finish. It will always be noticeable. What I would do is check and see if it is ding where the wood is crushed. You may be able to steam it out with a soldering iron and damp rag. If its missing, I would leave it be.

[sully]

Re: Filling a chip in an unfinished maple fingerboard???

excellent points, both of yas!

sully

[brett8388]

Re: Filling a chip in an unfinished maple fingerboard???

Exactly - I've had luck filling ebony flaws.

Couldn't I use superglue w/ maple sawdust?

Brett

[sully]

Re: Filling a chip in an unfinished maple fingerboard???

sure, i only suggest wood glue so that you can make a paste and if it doesn't work as well, you have some time to get it out if it doesn't look right.

just had another thought...is this a true chip, or more of a dent? if it's a dent, you can use a wet rag and a soldering iron to steam it out a bit.

sully

[vwall]

Re: Filling a chip in an unfinished maple fingerboard???

Thats the beauty of wood work..
Many options.
BTW: thicker CA glue is helpful as it allows you to manipulate it more before it sets [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Brett, Ive got an older maple neck laying around if you want to come by and bring your MM neck we can see how well it matches.
I wouldnt mind hacking a chunk out of it for you to take with and experiment..
Just let me know.

[nonamemx]

Re: Filling a chip in an unfinished maple fingerboard???

what if you made a sort of "inlay" out of it?

no? okay whatever.

[j2379]

Re: Filling a chip in an unfinished maple fingerbo

how well does steaming out dings work & will it mess up a polyester finish. ive got 2 big dings on the side of a quilt maple guitar, thats otherwise very clean. its compressed not gouged out.

[sully]

Re: Filling a chip in an unfinished maple fingerbo

if it's bare wood, you have a good chance of improving it. if it's finished and cleared, i don't believe it will work.

sully