Guitar & Bass Fingerboards

A fingerboard blank is a flat, dimensioned piece of wood used to build the fretboard of a guitar or bass. It's not slotted or radiused, you still need to cut the fret slots, profile the radius, and glue it to the neck.

The most common choices are maple, rosewood, and ebony.

They're the same thing. Both terms refer to the flat piece of wood glued to the top of the neck where the frets are installed. Fingerboard and fretboard are used interchangeably.

Roasted maple has been heat-treated to remove moisture and harden the cell structure. It's darker in colour than standard maple, more stable, and doesn't require a finish, unlike standard maple which needs lacquer to protect the surface.

No. Unlike standard maple, roasted maple can be left unfinished. Most builders still apply a light finish or burnish the surface, but it's not required for protection the way it is with regular maple.

It depends on the feel you're after and the style of guitar you're building. Common radii range from 7.25" (vintage Fender style) to 12" or compound radius on modern instruments. A flatter radius is generally preferred for lead playing; a rounder radius feels more comfortable for chords.

A standard guitar fingerboard blank is typically around 1/4" x 2-3/4" x 21". Bass fingerboard blanks are longer and wider to accommodate the longer scale length. Check the dimensions listed on each product before ordering.

Yes, though subtly. Denser woods like ebony produce more snap and clarity. Maple is bright and direct. Rosewood is warmer with a rounder attack. The difference is more noticeable on acoustic instruments than electric.

No. Unlike rosewood and ebony, maple fingerboards don't require periodic oiling. Roasted maple is particularly stable and low-maintenance.

Yes. If you need additional dimensioning, include your specifications in the notes at checkout. A $10 fee will be added to your invoice after checkout.