Why is my guitar fretboard dry, and hard to play?

Answer 1

It could be your environment, and it could be what your fretboard is made out of. Fretboards are generally made out of a black wood, (such as Ebony)or a stained black wood. If yours is a stained black wood, it might be made out of pine or some other material that dries quickly, or was kiln dried to begin with. You may need to nourish that wood with a good lemon oil. You might want to take it to a luthier and see what he or she recommends as well. If the rest of the guitar is well made, they might even recommend that you get the fretboard replaced. This isn't nearly as far fetched as it sounds since fretboards are designed to be replaced when they are worn out. They get dug in by fingers all the time and are susceptible to dirt and oil when the individuals who play on them forget to clean their hands first (I am guilty of that sometimes myself)

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

It's dry because you haven't cleaned, oiled it, and wiped it down. Don't use common household polishers, but use quality linseed oil--or better yet, guitar oil used specifically for rosewood or maple necks. Ebony fretboards don't usually require the oils after its cleansings, but a light spray of guitar polish would suffice for that.

I suspect you have a rosewood fretboard, in which case it needs cleaned and then oiled well. A dry fretboard can shrink and actually warp. Apply some preventive maintenance and you and the guitar will be happy.

Answer 3

I use furniture polish, pledge anti-dust formula works well for me. i do about five frets at a time . I spray it on then i take it off immediately with a dry clean rag or paper towels; of course do it when you are changing your strings

Answer 4

Could it just be that the action is too high?