How To Darken Your Fretboard | Mythos Mods

[@stigwartwillis]

Been using it for a while, it's great. I run a toothpick along the side of the frets to get the gunk out of there afterwards

[@MythosPedals]

Good tip!

[@danottley2627]

I’ll remember this!

[@johnplunkett2004]

Zach did this exactly right. In order for it to work you HAVE to lather it on extremely thick. You also need to wear gloves because it will stain your fingers brown - trust me you don’t want your fingers stained brown… Having used it I find It definitely darkens the board but it also brings out the wood grain. Worth doing for sure.

[@tomulator]

Does it come off on your fingers after playing it?

[@johnplunkett2004]

Once I wiped all excess off it did not come off onto my fingers - it was permanent. Did it to a Les Paul and a Wilshire and worked great on both -darkened and conditioned @@tomulator

[@eriklloyd2954]

It conditions the board as well? Have you tried using any conditioner on top of the montyspresso?

[@johnplunkett2004]

@@eriklloyd2954 It does condition the board as well. In fact the company sells basically the same product without the dye for conditioning fingerboards. I don't think I'd use another conditioner immediately after but have after a while and it was fine.

[@timoconnell]

My god. The Parks & Rec Board insert towards the end. Well played, kids.

[@MrScrofulous]

Vegemite is "yeast extract", basically the scum off the top of beer vats. If you open a fresh jar, you can smell a slight beery smell.

[@MuscleCarLover]

With concentrated extracts of onion, malt and celery in there as well

[@davedavem]

mmmm scum 🤤

[@TheGgreen100]

It sounds awful, but it's great on toast. Tastes mostly like salt with maybe some bouillon spices in the background.

[@Skoora]

It’s disgusting and tastes like crap.

[@MuscleCarLover]

@@TheGgreen100 Add cheese on top and it's nicer, though I also prefer Promite

[@Summ3rhays]

It worked well on my Gretsch with a laurel board. It definitely darkens, but I like that it keeps the variation of the wood color.

[@bjdanos]

Montyspresso does work really well. One tip I read and tried was heating it before applying. I used a blow dryer on the napkin I was applying with and it seemed to help it seep in. Sort of like melting shoe polish before you apply it.

[@Subropontes]

It’s funny that everyone is saying you applied a lot, I’ve been using it for years and I think I use more than that. Haha Matt said to applied it generously and he proper covers the fretboard with it. I always leave it for at least 24 hours, 48 hours does absolutely magic for those super pale ones. I have some before and after photos of some I did that are hard to believe is the same piece of wood.

[@OgamiItto70]

For that "brown sound."

[@thurstonhowls7723]

I used this a few weeks ago for the first time on an Epiphone es-335 and I love the look now. The light fretboard always bothered me. Now I love sound of the guitar AND the look! I left it on for 48 hours and am very happy. I hope to only have to do it yearly but we will see.

[@haroldcory3587]

My OCD is killing me. I only wipe parallel with the frets. I wipe and push into the fretboard.

[@booitsnick]

I agree with Zach. People need to realize that Asia as a whole has been making stringed instruments for over 2000 years. That seems like plenty of time to figure it out I’d say😂

[@markferguson3745]

IDK, - I'd suggest that that's only a valid observation if you're talking about skills and traditions that are handed down over generations, - something which few working in Chinese factories likely benefit from.Japan, or even Korea, maybe, - China? NSM.

[@bayougtr]

Depends what country, in Asia the “stringed instrument” was made😂😂😂😂

[@fraenkiboii]

Bonus tip for getting the stuff off easier: use a hairdryer to slightly melt the wax. Bonus tip 2: leave it on for a day, wipe it off and repeat everything three times.

[@M5guitar1]

I used Expresso stain from Home Depot on my Squire Stratosonic..it's so much better now. The laurel just was not dark enough. I also drilled out the original dots and put in my own clay white dots.

[@eldyko]

That’s cool! Would be very cool if you made a video showing how you did the inlays

[@CGlover113]

I’ve been using this product for years, and I’ve never even considered actually scooping it out like that😅😅. You used more in one wipe than I’ve used on 50 fretboards, and i love it! I cringed when you went in for the first scoop, and again for the second and i covered my eyes for the third!

[@MythosPedals]

I was much less "Generous" with the PRS I did lol. Sometimes you just gotta go for it!

[@MurrayWilliams]

My thoughts precisely

[@edtlonsway]

Very interesting. Would love to see a comparison of the same board before/after. That would really detail how dark the Monty's makes it. Great vid!

[@Zombie_13x33]

mineral oil time and some finger grease. all my boards are basically black just from a little time and some mineral oil. makes the board darker and cleans and lubes strings and its cheap and not messy.

[@bigbasil1908]

You could just buy some cheap boot polish which will have the same effect

[@jasondorsey7110]

I used tan kiwi shoe polish on the neck of a squier bronco bass and it's almost as yellow as my fenders now

[@charlie-obrien]

​@@jasondorsey7110 I've used the Kiwi Cordovan shoe polish on a laurel board and it had a nice darkening effect without making it look like faux rosewood. Just apply wait one day and burnish it off with some soft cotton cloth, like an old T-shirt. I also use it as a scratch cover on darker furniture.

[@smithcustomguitarco]

rosewood takes up the dye a lot faster than laurel or pau ferro

[@dlmyrs]

My can comes in the mail today! Pretty stoked. My J-185 fretboard and bridge are pretty light colored after 25 years.

[@livingabovethe12th]

I like this stuff too. Does help the lighter boards that have that 'dried out' look. Cpl things from my experience, make sure the board is open pored and not some secret satin clear sealer or you'll be wasting time and $. Overnight in a warm room helps with it sinking in. Get some dollar store toothbrushes for cleaning around nut/frets for the wipe-off 👍

[@EricMerrow]

I just got one of these cans of relic wax and I can’t stop putting it on all my fretboards 😂

[@mikesalmo]

Coleman fuel is also Naptha, if you’re like me and have an old can lying around from a camp stove or lantern. I transfer it to a small Nalgene bottle (not a water bottle, like hotel shampoo size) for use inside use restoring guitars.

[@bruxist]

Thanks for doing this video. I have been tempted to use this on a few of mine (one Pao Ferro, a few Indian Laurel).

[@jasonswitzer1748]

Curious to see how it’s work on Pau Ferro.

[@bruxist]

​@@jasonswitzer1748Just to follow up, I did 3 40+ hour applications on my 1996 SRV strat with a pao ferro board. It did darken slightly and really made the grain pop, but it was definitely less dramatic than in this video. It is not very pale pao ferro so that could be part of it. Anyways, I would not do more than one application on pao ferro and even then, it is not much different than a good oiling. Doing an Indian Laurel board now. I expect it will work better, like in the video.

[@jasonswitzer1748]

@@bruxist Thanks for the follow up, bud! Pao Ferro seems like such a solid wood that there’s no pores for the stuff to soak into the wood. I suspect laurel will work better. This is pure speculation on my part, though.

[@bierce85]

Any oil will darken the board for a week or so. I'd be curious to see what it looks like in a month or two.

[@mikesalmo]

Yep. I use pure Tung oil on fretboards. Cover it, wipe off. Do not let it “soak.” If there’s dry spots, repeat until the entire surface has been penetrated. Leave it alone overnight to dry. It’ll keep curing for a week or two. Repeat this every few years. You can use BLO, I just don’t like the smell. I avoid fatty oils, though. For tung oil, it has to be pure and not “Tung oil” from big box hardware, that has solvents in it. But yeah, it darkens tastefully without wax and really is better than any “fretboard oil” because there’s no solvents or acids. Just a normal oil finish used since ancient China.

[@rfelton77]

I have 2 of the inspired by Gibson series Epiphones. Both have very dry looking fretboards. No matter how much I oil and condition them they go back to the dry look within a day. I wonder if this will help...

[@rickhenry8760]

I find it odd that there wasn't a lot "Monty's" applied to the edge of the fretboard and still looked light on the edge in some areas. It does overall look great along the top of the fretboard. Kudo's !

[@MythosPedals]

The edge is finished so it wouldn't soak in there.

[@markiannetta4198]

Use boiled linseed oil it darkens the board naturally I've been using it for as long as I've been playing (over 30 years)never used wax or lemon oil, be careful with gimmicks and dies they usually end up on your strings and fingers every time you play

[@jaredfreestone6608]

How long does it last? And does it come off onto fingertips when playing?

[@boe466]

I tried it and it works quite well, but to be honest I was hoping for a little bot stronger of an effect. Do you maybe have a good recommendation to darken a fingerboard even more? My 2012 R7 has a really light board and I think the gold top would look much better with a darker board. Not sure what wood they used in 2012 at the custom shop, but they for sure did not aim for brazilian rosewood looks. Their normal intrument food is amazing and is what I use instead of lemon oil on all my dark fingerboards.

[@nicolasbeaudry6158]

I used a brown leather dyes and it worked perfectly. On my sg Pelham blue Epiphone. I just had to put painters tape on the bound neck. And had to polish the fret with 🍋 oil.

[@carpediem4413]

What about accidentally staining the binding on a guitar with a bound neck?

[@patriciolegett1757]

Personally I prefer the tea + iron acetate method. Messier - but the end result is better.

[@ebeep]

I will have to look into this, sounds like a good method.

[@patriciolegett1757]

A word of caution: when you use this method make sure that the tape to protect the rest of the neck is VERY well burnished to avoid seepage. The first time I did this I got seepage on the neck wood and it's an effing nightmare to get rid of !@@ebeep

[@devilsdoorbell]

This is intriguing. All my fretboards are ebony so far, and one maple, but I have a frankenstrat with a no-name neck I could try this on.

[@scrap_metal_magic]

What about putting it on a maple neck 🤔

[@MythosPedals]

Maple necks are normally finished so it would have to be a raw maple neck

[@stimpsonjcat67]

Just FYI, this stuff is fantastic for lightly aging 'too bright' new finishes.

[@ex-subsailor3480]

Thanks for the links to the address to buy. Good video.

[@scozz6139]

Haha, I love it,... when this guys realizes it's not very dark, he says,... "The Beauty Of This is, Ah, You Can Do It Again,... We Can Just Put On Another Coat",... Haha.

[@tadlehmann1906]

Zach, I love your channel, especially these videos where you upgrade more affordable guitars. Can you share some insights (or do a video!! pretty please) on how to age humbucker covers and other metal hardware? Cheers

[@TheNohcim]

I've had a can of this for awhile and have tried it on numerous guitars, almost using as much as Zach in the video. In my opinion, I was left disappointed, but I'm down to give it another go. I just don't think it's drastic enough for those pale streaky grain boards.. almost think you'd be better off with Fabings leather dye if you want to truly darken a pale non rosewood material

[@kunkmiceter]

Stanley stain markers work good.

[@mathewpybus1599]

Vegemite is the left over yeast extract from brewing beer that's combined with vegetables and spices to make a sandwich spread, it's a staple here in Australia as a kid we had it for breakfast on toast with a bowl of weetbix daily

[@madsenamplification]

Don’t know if anyone said what vegemite is but it’s a fermented yeast. It does look like a dark paste.

[@Cousin_Gregg]

Do you still need to oil the board occasionally after doing this?

[@ClaudioMartella]

this is a stain but also generally a wax to keep the fretboard moist. Monty has Instrument Food for that without the staining, so up to you whether you want to reuse monty presso or another 'moisturizer' :)

[@realgtrhero]

Not a big enough change for that much effort, IMO. Kinda just looks like a freshly oiled board 🤷‍♂

[@JackGoddard-px2rd]

Got an epiphone 84 explorer and some ebony wood stain, just wondering what to do about the lacquered bit on the side of the fretboard cause it’s really light and I don’t think the stains gonna get to it

[@danottley2627]

This week I’ll be mostly saying “as they say…let’s get wiping”. Monty’s relic wax is great. Zak you need to put some Instrument food on now!

[@iainfreeman5112]

I’m on my 2nd lot (prev was a paper cup.) and use it all the time. The only one that I’ve really noticed a difference with is the walnut board on my j45 studio. I’ve never worn gloves & haven’t affected my skin. But I’m probably not using enough.

[@tomulator]

A “before” and “after” photo of the same guitar is absolutely a necessity in reviewing a product like this.

[@MythosPedals]

The V I compared it to has a fretboard that looked identical to what the guitar was when we started.

[@Wadey1960CS]

Risk it for the Biscuit! 🤘🏼 Monty’s Montypresso is quite nice. Used it on a couple Squiers and an Epiphone. Matt’s good people.

[@sugatooth]

Definitely want to try this on my player Tele. I always wished the Pau Fero was darker

[@MythosPedals]

This should do the trick for ya!

[@salimel4835]

I used lemon oil on my indian laurel SG’s fretboard. It darkened it completely

[@MrLespaul2000]

I use this too, it's good stuff. Yes, I have the Herc. It's absolutely awesome. Thanks Mythos. Cheers from the UK :)

[@leviathan_is_me]

Wonder how it would work on Jatoba boards? The LTD EC256FM has a VERY light jatoba board. It just seems like it is a pain in the arse to use tbh.

[@jimwoodard64]

I use this. I bought the coffee mug versions, but I'll be very old before I empty them! 😎😎 Great product, and I highly recommend it as well.

[@cameronmcbride1084]

You should do a how to relic video with how to do weather checking!

[@TheStinkyDinkyBand]

Just watch the Bret you

[@EJ_Crough]

The science nerd in me is wondering why not just do a before and after shot of the same guitar? I'm not trying to disprove the relic wax, I actually own some and have used it on two guitars, it's kinda subtle but works!

[@DFlores2009]

would I have to cover white binding or large inlays on, for example, a Jackson, if I wanted to do this?

[@MythosPedals]

Nope, it only will work it's way into non finished wood. You're good!

[@DFlores2009]

@@MythosPedals thanks so much

[@simonsmith2642]

How do you think this would do on an ebony board thats natural and not stained like black ebony boards. It looks like dark rosewood.

[@MythosPedals]

Hard to say!

[@BenKrisfield]

Vegemite on toast. It's a salty taste. Great demo!

[@CianRourke]

Does it give it a warmer, darker tone? 😑

[@Lorneplumber]

I put just enough to cover the fretboard Left it for 24 hours Definitely looks better than previous

[@stanesposito2664]

Looks great! Is this a one time application or will it lighten up down the road?

[@JasonVorce]

Good question

[@hisproperty1438]

G'day Zach, Thanks for a great video. Since you asked for some information about Vegimite, I thought I'd drop you a line, then Like & Subscribe. As mentioned earlier, Vegimite is a yeast extract, is black in colour, has a sheen, and is a paste type substance. It will support its own weight, but it's not a solid - so it's not as solid as peanut butter, & not as liquid as toothpaste. It has a texture like Kraft Cream Cheese, which is not unusual, because Kraft makes both Vegimite & Cream Cheese. I know that the Kraft factory is at 1 Vegimite Way in Port Melbourne, which is about 100 metres north of the Westgate freeway. When travelling along the freeway, the odour of Vegimite wafts over the freeway, is very strong, & can permeate most vehicles - it's always a challenge when travelling past on a motorcycle. Thanks once again for the great video. Keep up the good work Andrew

[@robertritchie2860]

.. But it rubs off 😕 I've done my rosewood telecaster neck. The initial finish after rubbing it is amazing. But it only lasts for some weeks. I have even tried rubbing black leather dye on first and then adding Monty's wax. It still fades.

[@THUNDERIN78]

MYTHOS- Can you do a tutorial to getting that broken in look and feel on the back of a maple guitar neck? If not, can you direct me to a video demonstrating a legit way of creating that? I am looking for that NASH GUITAR neck look and feel. Thanks in advance. I am enjoying your guitar upgrade series.

[@steveliberty]

Does it have to be reapplied periodically, or does the color change survive years of play and ordinary cleaning?

[@MythosPedals]

Time will tell. I’ll update after it’s lived on the guitar a while.

[@Skoora]

But how is under the fingers when playing? How long until it’s truly absorbed and not coming off on to your fingers when you play?

[@MythosPedals]

You dont feel it

[@Redhotchilipprs]

I will definitely buy some!

[@donniebarbados]

got some of this to put on a rosewood board, but also have an ebony board that i'd like to try. does anyone have any experience with using this on ebony?

[@JS-nf1sn]

Richer and deeper.

[@MichaelMYouTube]

Does anyone have experience putting this on a guitar with binding like a Les Paul Standard? Does it stain the binding? Do you have to tape it? Or does it do nothing / not an issue. I have a rosewood board that is really light with a whitish cream binding. Thanks!

[@DannyDKNYC]

I’m curious about this too. Does it stain the binding or inlays on a Les Paul ?

[@hrishchandratre8970]

Can you then oil the fretboard as routine cleaning and maintenance? Or do you have to apply this again m?

[@JasonVorce]

I was wondering that myself

[@dethmedic52]

It would reject the oil. You'd have to naphtha strip it again to apply oil. Potentially taking alot of that deepening color. Best course of action is to keep oiling with string changes. I've played my Ibanez so much the rosewood is almost ebony

[@charlie-obrien]

​@@dethmedic52 I've had more than a few guitars over the years with everything from Indian and Brazilian Rosewood to Ebony and then Laurel and Pau ferro fingerboards. I oil the fretboard with each string change and no matter what the wood is, it always gets darker (and more lusterous) over time. Whatever your fretboard wood, it has most certainly been treated when built and this stuff will not permanently penetrate the wood with just a couple of applications.

[@dethmedic52]

@@charlie-obrien fax you get it, I don't play case queens all my rigs are workhorses so the fingerboards get darker over time with oils an playing. My Ibanez rgrt 421 custom just happens to be my most played. I've straight played to satin to gloss darn near.

[@SEGREDOSPROIBIDOS1]

Eat vegemite once and you’ll never forget. Dear God, I can still taste it 20 years later 😅

[@uncleremus64]

Not dark enough. It's basically wax. I use Fiebing's black leather dye because that's what Gibson uses and what Dan Erlewine uses. Apply it with a q-tip.

[@2dazetake]

I think a leather dye would work better,not dark enough if your going for that ebony look.

[@MythosPedals]

Going for a darker rosewood look, not ebony.

[@Skoora]

Use gold bond or baby powder on your hands before putting the gloves on. They’ll go on much easier.

[@bayougtr]

Keep in mind, this is not a permanent dye and will gradually wear off.

[@dcwwwcp]

Assuming it has been said but...looks like shoe polish to me. Does it smell like shoe polish? I am suprised someone hasn't made a fretboard oil with a bit of black or dark brown tint added.

[@pablorages]

Vegemite ... a delicious salty spread from Australia ... for people with taste !

[@moroboshidan7960]

There's this thing using vinegar and steel wool to darken wood. Look for it, you'll find videos. I don't have the courage to try it on a guitar, but it's a thing.

[@MythosPedals]

I would NOT do that to a piece of rosewood. You can use that sort of solution to turn pine grey like it has been outdoors for ages.

[@adambakercollege]

Monty's fretboard products are awesome!! It's the only thing I use on fretboard now. Also.... Why are you guys always doing videos hungry?!?!?!

[@MythosPedals]

We're always hungry!

[@GuitarQuackery]

Naphta is nasty stuff. Many techs (even I when I was little) make the mistake of hovering over the guitar when using naphta. Those fumes are extremely toxic to inhale. No amount of it, inhaled or absorbed through the skin, is good.

[@deanallen927]

Flying V a stunt guitar? No. No whammy, the only wild showman I ever saw use one was Hendrix, but he did all his "stunt guitar" with the Strats.

[@markn4526]

Interesting vid. I've always found that years of playing time and occasional lubrication darkens most fretboards, but this wax certainly accelerates the process. Question: When you were commenting on the Flying V, were you calling it a "stunt guitar" or is my hearing worse than I think it is? I've never heard of that before. Also, about a Flying V not sounding all that different from any other humbucker guitar. That may be somewhat true for a mahogany '67 style Flying V that has a stop tailpiece, but a '58 style Flying V with a string-thru design sounds a lot different. This is especially true if the '58 style Flying V is made from Korina.

[@oddshot60]

@4:54 EEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWW DOOKIE

[@jonathanbarwick5594]

Vegemite is what people use to induce vomiting, I think.

[@victoresarey4036]

too bad they dont stock it this side of the pond...

[@MythosPedals]

there are sellers listed in the description

[@handle433]

Leave it for 48 hours with the other V to see how effective it is!!!

[@JohnnyGuitaristOfficial]

From Fretboard to Hair pomade, lol 😅 Let's try it on a natural maple fender neck, lol 😮😂 jk

[@fretboardfatfingers8774]

KIWI Black Shoe Polish. $10

[@eric_in_florida]

Bro you have gloves on why not just rub it on using your fingers? Seems like it would have been easier.

[@MythosPedals]

I’m just doing what Monty’s suggest

[@mwrable]

Doesn’t look any different to me.

[@DustyNonya]

I mean the board looked dry. I'm betting some mineral oil wouldve helped.

[@gooseabuse]

No, it really is too expensive.

[@coastalgeorgia6558]

damn son... just put the whole jar on there and smear it around. jeez

[@MythosPedals]

We're learning as we go ;)

[@holdenwill]

I’ve never seen a better review for running feces on a fretboard. I mean wtf how does Monty explain the reality of using the product vs the video we’ve al seen. Jesus, this is American Government level dishonesty.

[@bobboitt3126]

nope 😂

[@yannlaliberte8407]

but.. isnt permanent.. so, waste of time and money.

[@Mr.D34]

This is very cool but it's also useless because it's gonna wear off if you're someone that cleans the fretboard at every string change as i do. A better solution would be to not to buy overpriced Epiphones, but that's just my opinion 😀

[@tomford8286]

Your application of the wax is so wrong. SMH < You used enough to do at least 5 fret boards.