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Hello all, On a classical with a non-bound ebony fingerboard, how do you finish the sides of the fingerboard? Keep them taped off until final coat of nitro, or just mask the top of the fingerboard? My last one I only masked the top of the board, and was not really happy with the finished sides. I think I should have sanded same more between coats. I would really like to get the clear shiny transparent look on the next one.. Thanks for the help!

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John Nowicki

Only tape the top of the fretboard, and finish the sides just like the rest of the neck. Getting a shiny finish on the fretboard sides is no different than any other part of the guitar. Lots of sanding and buffing is the key.

I also had challenges with this and asked a very similar question. When I removed the tape, I'd get a witness line between the finished side of the fretboard and the top of the fretboard. The guidance (don't remember now who gave it, but thanks again) was to wet sand the margin between the finished side and unfinished top BEFORE removing the tape. Then pulling the tape off won't damage the finish on the sides. Haven't tried it yet.