Got an Epiphone Les Paul '59 coming tomorrow. Only real downer is that the fretboard is Indian laurel instead of rosewood. This product could be on my shopping list pretty soon. Many thanks for the video.
I have an Epi Les Paul with an Indian laurel fretboard & it's definitely a little bit darker than my guitars with rosewood fretboards. The only thing I kinda don't like about the Indian laurel is it appears really dry. It's my 1st guitar with an Indian laurel fretboard, & apparently it's supposed to look that way. But it's still definitely darker than any of my rosewood boards. What I really don't like & still need to do is sand down the back of the neck because I hate the gloss finish...slows me down, especially when I'm playing for long periods & work up a sweat.
I've seen a video where Monty applied this product 3 to 4 times to really darken a fretboard. Happy to see the packaging changed. It was first a cup off coffee but the top was very bad.
What makes you think that dark boards are better than light boards? I like Pao Ferro. I think it has more appeal than a dark rosewood or even ebony. Nothing beats a beautiful Fender maple neck. It is all a matter of taste.
I am in Canada (Toronto) and the shipping cost from their site (cheapest) is as much as the product itself ! Wish they had it on Amazon or other distribution in N America
That fretboard doesn't look particularly light. A paper towel is unlikely to mark a fretboard. Luthiers will use wire wool to help in the cleaning of a board, so paper is fine, although cotton is better for polishing.
I was really impressed with this product. So, I ordered some off the website. Although this stuff comes from the UK it arrived in only 5 days. Haven't used it yet. The guitar I bought it for, I sold a day before it arrived. The only thing I wondering about is how this will affect light-colored and pinstriped binding? You could tape up the sides, but my Eastman has a striped binding on top and under the ends of the frets. So not knowing how this will color or affect my binding. I haven't used either of my Eastman. But I love a dark rich looking fretboard. Thanks for the info.
My direct experience with this product confirms it. It will NOT have any impact or effect on a non porous material (ie: plastic, polyurethane finish, man made material fret dots/inlays. It Will impact porous material such as wood, nitrocellulose lacquer (if not wiped off right away), bone (nuts), mother of pearl & abalone inlays@@addictedtogear
No mention whether this stuff came off on your fingers once you started playing. Very curious about that and inquiring minds want to know for sure. Thanks!
Rosewood okay but making a Pau ferro fretboard dark is another story! Pau Ferro is a very hard type of wood that makes it very difficult for the wax to penetrate. after 5x treatment I find the result deplorably bad and on top of that the wax is also very expensive! I think that if you play a lot and treat your fretboard with lemon oil (much cheaper) every time you change strings, you will achieve the same result in a while!
Rosewood doesn't take tint from this either. In either case the result is a healthy un-dry glow, which is exactly what any other conditioner does. Though pau ferro is especially marble-like, rosewood is also not porous enough to accept any tint. Leather dye works on any wood. Roughly equal parts Fiebing dark brown + black. It's ridiculous how guitar companies will use an acre of rosewood on the back and sides but use laurel on the fret board because of 'sustainability'. It's all psychological crap.
@@addictedtogear Thanks for the tip, i just don't buy guitars without a dark Rosewood or Ebony fretboard, Fender only conned me once with their Pao Ferro fretboards, they look terrible.
I’ve seen video of the guy from Monty’s piling this stuff on a neck , like a collosal ammount. Given the ammount that came off on your paper towel ( ie pure unused excess) I believe the Monty’s advise to use generously is nonsense , truth is….anything that comes off is waste. Yes, apply 2 or even 3 thin layers, just don’t dump it on thickly. Briwax dark oak does the same thing, used by pros for very good reasons.
My solution to getting a darker neck is to buy ebony. Usually for a 50 buck upcharge a builder will slap on a darker ebony neck which I feel is a good investment. I love how the dark neck makes the inlays jump out on my Dean V and my Schecter. I am always more tempted to buy guitars that sport ebony fretboards.
@@Pead929 I see. I haven't actually taken out a fret before. I only have stainless steel on my custom. Hopefully I balance the work load between my guitars that I won't have to replace the frets for years to come.
Ebony needs 200 Years to grow and you can use only 10% of them. It needs to be protected. Thats why we shouldn’t use it. Amaranth (purple Heart) is dark and really nice to play. Like on the Jackson Soloists for example. ;) Buying used Guitars with Ebony is cool. New ones not so much. ;)
@@kevinmarx7093 I bought my collection of guitars many years ago, the few i have bought in recent years were mint used ones. The whole planet needs protecting before man destroys it all!🤨
I have been using this wax for a while and it only requires a small amount to darken the horrid shades of the so called Rosewood replacements that i can't stand. It works well on some, but others are just too light to darken enough, my motto now is if the fretboard is not a dark Rosewood or ebony, i don't buy the guitar Pao Ferro is a no no, i have an FSR Noir Strat that should have been Rosewood, but they were caught up in the pointless Cites saga so then ended up as Pau Ferro, and it looks terrible. Monty's wax helped but you can still see the lighter areas.
@@thesurfjunkies Montys wax is good, but don't expect mirracles, some fretboards respond well but Pau Ferro seems to have a mind of it's own, you can use dyes, but it is a messy process.
@@Barbarapape I’m waiting someone to run the ugliest Pau Ferro fretboard contest so I can be the first to enter. My Sunburst Jaguar may very well take the cake.
@@thesurfjunkies My noir strat must be up there with your jaguar. Cites has a lot to answer for, Fender must have a massive amount of Pau Ferro, they are still using the vile stuff.
Scott Grove talked about darkening a fretboard. He uses a Sharpie, which sounds bizarre, but it works. I've done it on a few guitars. Apply it then use a damp cloth to wipe off excess, and it looks great! Plus, it's cheap!
Can container look like Johnny Depp 😮 does it better and safe to leave it on more than 48hrs or a week thinking the longer the darker it gets and perhaps stays on permanent
I have a better idea. This wax is around $30. I used KIWI shoe polish. Its also a wax. Apply it, let it dry, then buff off. It's available in many shades of color. KIWI cost under $5! Use the dark brown, that will make your rosewood fret board look like ebony!
@@addictedtogear does montys wax claim to be chemical free? I used KIWI polish on my les paul over 2 years ago. It still looks as good as the day I applied it. It has never rubbed off when I play. It seems perfectly stable. Just sayin
@@addictedtogear we really did use this to treat boards on the farm yrs ago. It worked great on the barn maybe not the best for fretboards. Is the product you used staying on well?
I just use hot bacon grease as it's the closest thing to natural oils that swap from your hands to the fret board and its also totally natural and clear and treats the wood real good in fact making it waterproof so a little rain at the next festival gig will just wipe off and not damage the guitar. Go natural, go bacon grease, hot an clear.
People should get over it. A darkening a lighter fretboard is make it sound any better. If you wanted a dark rosewood fret board you should have coughed up the money for it in the first place.
I watched part of a video a few days ago where they're talking about some Gibson guitar, & the guy actually said that the wood they used for the fretboard gave the guitar a "crispier tone." 😂😂😂😂😂 I mean, the whole "tone wood" thing about electric guitars is ridiculous...but now fretboard tone wood??!! 😂😂😂😂
Got an Epiphone Les Paul '59 coming tomorrow. Only real downer is that the fretboard is Indian laurel instead of rosewood. This product could be on my shopping list pretty soon. Many thanks for the video.
I have an Epi Les Paul with an Indian laurel fretboard & it's definitely a little bit darker than my guitars with rosewood fretboards. The only thing I kinda don't like about the Indian laurel is it appears really dry. It's my 1st guitar with an Indian laurel fretboard, & apparently it's supposed to look that way. But it's still definitely darker than any of my rosewood boards.
What I really don't like & still need to do is sand down the back of the neck because I hate the gloss finish...slows me down, especially when I'm playing for long periods & work up a sweat.
There was a difference .. the definition of the fretboard texture indeed improved ! Thanks for posting !
I've seen a video where Monty applied this product 3 to 4 times to really darken a fretboard. Happy to see the packaging changed. It was first a cup off coffee but the top was very bad.
What makes you think that dark boards are better than light boards? I like Pao Ferro. I think it has more appeal than a dark rosewood or even ebony. Nothing beats a beautiful Fender maple neck.
It is all a matter of taste.
Nice! That would make the fretboard look cooler. Like a darker rosewood or something. Thanks for sharing this tip
before and after shots are what would really show the difference.
I’ve ordered a set of Bethnal greens and a 50s loom from Monty . Awesome channel too
Saw this on the That Pedal Show episode. Seems like a nice product. I hate it when a rosewood board is too light.
It works well on lighter shades of Rosewood, but struggles with Pau Ferro.
Dark Rosewood or Ebony looks far better.
Tip: use latex gloves to apply with fingers. Saves using a ton of kitchen roll.
I am in Canada (Toronto) and the shipping cost from their site (cheapest) is as much as the product itself ! Wish they had it on Amazon or other distribution in N America
I'm new to your channel and am enjoying it. Thanks for your videos.
Thanks for subbing!
KIWI, has new competition. LMAO
Will darkening my ebony fretboard create a black hole?
The frets might disappear 🤣
Did I miss a comparison between before and after?
I'd like to try it...but also it's kind of pricey for what little effect it has.
Use this product on my guitars- Monty winds great pickups too
Just what I was looking for! Thanks! 😃
I use on my hair too. It’s halved my just for men bill.
Thx Tony. Seems to work well.
That fretboard doesn't look particularly light. A paper towel is unlikely to mark a fretboard. Luthiers will use wire wool to help in the cleaning of a board, so paper is fine, although cotton is better for polishing.
reckon shoe polish would do the trick?
That's what I was thinking
Yep, that’s the stuff 👍🤘
It works well on light Rosewood, but struggles with Pau Ferro, Fender should be shot for using it!
I would think the Wax would prevent the timber from accepting any oil in the future ?
Like oil it needs to be reapplied from time to time.
I was really impressed with this product. So, I ordered some off the website. Although this stuff comes from the UK it arrived in only 5 days. Haven't used it yet. The guitar I bought it for, I sold a day before it arrived. The only thing I wondering about is how this will affect light-colored and pinstriped binding? You could tape up the sides, but my Eastman has a striped binding on top and under the ends of the frets. So not knowing how this will color or affect my binding. I haven't used either of my Eastman. But I love a dark rich looking fretboard. Thanks for the info.
Matt from Monty’s says it won’t discolour the plastics.
My direct experience with this product confirms it. It will NOT have any impact or effect on a non porous material (ie: plastic, polyurethane finish, man made material fret dots/inlays. It Will impact porous material such as wood, nitrocellulose lacquer (if not wiped off right away), bone (nuts), mother of pearl & abalone inlays@@addictedtogear
No mention whether this stuff came off on your fingers once you started playing. Very curious about that and inquiring minds want to know for sure. Thanks!
Good question! I didn't notice any on my fingers. I guess you need to leave enough time for it to dry.
Actually Monty's says this is a PERMANENT product!
Looks good. Not a huge difference but seems shinier as well?
Does it change the feel as well?
You have to do a few applications and it looks great. It feels really good if you ask me.
I haven’t really noticed much of a difference in the feel.
Thank you for the replies.
Does it leave residue on your fingers after playing? Thanx!
I still haven’t put strings on the neck yet, but if you let it dry properly it should be fine.
@@addictedtogear Thanx Tony, good video!
You only need to apply a thin coat, allow it to dry, then buff with a soft cloth.
I have not had any stained fingers from it that some dyes leave.
@@Barbarapape Thanx!
Anyone think this would work on a granadillo fretboard? I have a 2013 les paul signature t and wana darken the board as it's kinda red
Does it work on hair? (Asking for a friend) 🧐
@@mattheweady615 surprisingly well actually
Rosewood okay but making a Pau ferro fretboard dark is another story! Pau Ferro is a very hard type of wood that makes it very difficult for the wax to penetrate. after 5x treatment I find the result deplorably bad and on top of that the wax is also very expensive! I think that if you play a lot and treat your fretboard with lemon oil (much cheaper) every time you change strings, you will achieve the same result in a while!
Rosewood doesn't take tint from this either. In either case the result is a healthy un-dry glow, which is exactly what any other conditioner does. Though pau ferro is especially marble-like, rosewood is also not porous enough to accept any tint. Leather dye works on any wood. Roughly equal parts Fiebing dark brown + black. It's ridiculous how guitar companies will use an acre of rosewood on the back and sides but use laurel on the fret board because of 'sustainability'. It's all psychological crap.
Thank you amigo
Also boiled linseed oil works even better than bacon grease but it's expensive and bacon grease is free with breakfast !
LOL
It just looks conditioned to me not any darker. What am I missing?
It's subtle as I was not after a dramatically darker fretboard. You can go darker if you wish by simply reapplying a few times.
It will only darken a Rosewood or other fretboard, you can try treating the board a few times
but you will never turn any fretboard as dark as Ebony.
@@Barbarapape if you are looking for an ebony look you will have to tint the neck with leather dyes.
@@addictedtogear Thanks for the tip, i just don't buy guitars without a dark Rosewood or Ebony fretboard, Fender only conned me once with their Pao Ferro fretboards, they look terrible.
I’ve seen video of the guy from Monty’s piling this stuff on a neck , like a collosal ammount. Given the ammount that came off on your paper towel ( ie pure unused excess) I believe the Monty’s advise to use generously is nonsense , truth is….anything that comes off is waste.
Yes, apply 2 or even 3 thin layers, just don’t dump it on thickly.
Briwax dark oak does the same thing, used by pros for very good reasons.
Great video - thank you! Anyone got a lead for this product in USA?
My solution to getting a darker neck is to buy ebony. Usually for a 50 buck upcharge a builder will slap on a darker ebony neck which I feel is a good investment. I love how the dark neck makes the inlays jump out on my Dean V and my Schecter. I am always more tempted to buy guitars that sport ebony fretboards.
I agree, nothing looks worse than the strange shades of some fretboards, for me it has to be dark Rosewood or Ebony.
Ebony is great and it has a snappy attack for sure, but for me I hate the tear out when pulling frets. I prefer rosewood if the frets aren’t stainless
@@Pead929 I see. I haven't actually taken out a fret before. I only have stainless steel on my custom. Hopefully I balance the work load between my guitars that I won't have to replace the frets for years to come.
Ebony needs 200 Years to grow and you can use only 10% of them.
It needs to be protected.
Thats why we shouldn’t use it.
Amaranth (purple Heart) is dark and really nice to play.
Like on the Jackson Soloists for example. ;)
Buying used Guitars with Ebony is cool.
New ones not so much. ;)
@@kevinmarx7093 I bought my collection of guitars many years ago, the few i have bought in recent years
were mint used ones.
The whole planet needs protecting before man destroys it all!🤨
Can't find it in USA
Try FU TONE
@@addictedtogear ok thanks
Tony, great review. Did it smell like shoe polish? It sure looked like shoe polish in your video.
It’s definitely not shoe polish. It didn’t smell like it either.
Several things, but definitely beeswax.
I have been using this wax for a while and it only requires a small amount to darken the horrid
shades of the so called Rosewood replacements that i can't stand.
It works well on some, but others are just too light to darken enough, my motto now is
if the fretboard is not a dark Rosewood or ebony, i don't buy the guitar
Pao Ferro is a no no, i have an FSR Noir Strat that should have been Rosewood, but they were
caught up in the pointless Cites saga so then ended up as Pau Ferro, and it looks terrible.
Monty's wax helped but you can still see the lighter areas.
Sorry you got stuck with a Pau “Feo” fretboard. Dealing with a couple ourselves and perhaps this stuff can correct the horrors.
@@thesurfjunkies Montys wax is good, but don't expect mirracles, some fretboards respond well
but Pau Ferro seems to have a mind of it's own, you can use dyes, but it is a messy process.
@@Barbarapape I’m waiting someone to run the ugliest Pau Ferro fretboard contest so I can be the first to enter. My Sunburst Jaguar may very well take the cake.
@@thesurfjunkies My noir strat must be up there with your jaguar.
Cites has a lot to answer for, Fender must have a massive amount of Pau Ferro, they are still using the vile stuff.
Scott Grove talked about darkening a fretboard. He uses a Sharpie, which sounds bizarre, but it works. I've done it on a few guitars. Apply it then use a damp cloth to wipe off excess, and it looks great! Plus, it's cheap!
I’m not convinced…
Trump used a Sharpie to change the direction of a hurricane. I'm not convinced that worked, either.
Dr Groovy knows his shit, this stuff just sounds guitarded and a Rip off
No… sharpie comes off after a day of playing. Dont use sharpie lol
Don't know, sharpie might soak in to the wood. It might work, but I'm not testing it on mine 🤪
Can container look like Johnny Depp 😮 does it better and safe to leave it on more than 48hrs or a week thinking the longer the darker it gets and perhaps stays on permanent
I have a better idea. This wax is around $30. I used KIWI shoe polish. Its also a wax. Apply it, let it dry, then buff off. It's available in many shades of color. KIWI cost under $5! Use the dark brown, that will make your rosewood fret board look like ebony!
Many people are doing this, however I am not sure you want those chemicals on your hands on a regular basis.
@@addictedtogear does montys wax claim to be chemical free? I used KIWI polish on my les paul over 2 years ago. It still looks as good as the day I applied it. It has never rubbed off when I play. It seems perfectly stable. Just sayin
@@rockhoundingeasternwashing5308 You would have to ask them however I am quite sure the kiwi stuff is not
Used motor oil mixed with automatic transmission fluid works wonders.
ok......?
@@addictedtogear we really did use this to treat boards on the farm yrs ago. It worked great on the barn maybe not the best for fretboards. Is the product you used staying on well?
Used motor oil is carcinogenic.
I only like maple fretboards.
Lemon oil 😂😂
I just use hot bacon grease as it's the closest thing to natural oils that swap from your hands to the fret board and its also totally natural and clear and treats the wood real good in fact making it waterproof so a little rain at the next festival gig will just wipe off and not damage the guitar.
Go natural, go bacon grease, hot an clear.
Interesting
Gross lol permanently having a bacon smelling guitar?
Its liitterally shoe polish lol
Kind of with some special ingredients that won't harm your guitar.
People should get over it. A darkening a lighter fretboard is make it sound any better. If you wanted a dark rosewood fret board you should have coughed up the money for it in the first place.
I agree however there's lots of companies that simply don't make the front boards like that. And those cases this would be a good solution
I watched part of a video a few days ago where they're talking about some Gibson guitar, & the guy actually said that the wood they used for the fretboard gave the guitar a "crispier tone." 😂😂😂😂😂
I mean, the whole "tone wood" thing about electric guitars is ridiculous...but now fretboard tone wood??!! 😂😂😂😂