ShortScale.org

Do any of you "Woodys" reckon that American dark walnut would be any use for making dark fretboards with?

Example

I think so.

Vai uses walnut

Justyn wrote: Vai uses walnut

In that case: fuck no.

From Warmoth.com

Walnut (Juglans nigra):

Walnut is the only North American dark wood. It is somewhat softer than maple though stiffer than mahogany. The sonic properties combine especially well with ebony fingerboards. Under a gloss, the grain is very deep, thick and rich looking.

They don't recommend it as a fretboard, only as the neck. It may just be a bit softer then maple, ebony and rosewood, so it might wear faster then a hardwood fretboard... can't say for sure I've never worked with Walnut.

Joey wrote:
They don't recommend it as a fretboard, only as the neck. It may just be a bit softer then maple, ebony and rosewood, so it might wear faster then a hardwood fretboard.

Hmm, that's a shame. I've got quite a few planks of it about 8 foot long and just a tad wider than a regular neck/fretboard but not thick enough to be a neck.

It's not a shame man, do what ever you want to do. Guitar makers probally won't stand behind walnut because of warranty issues. Unless you play your guitar in your sleep, I doubt you'll wear the board out. I say "go for it", ain't got nothing to lose.

8 years ago I found a oak tree behind my house that was hit by lightning. It was in the early stage of decay, so it was spalted like crazy (black wormy looking holes). I loved it! Wanted to make a guitar top out of it, but my mom tossed it out. But hell, soft oak & it being spalted meant I'd be essentially making a tone sucking sponge guitar, but it would of been cool as shit.