When your fretboard shrink during the winter...

[veil]

Does the wood expand when the humidity rises to return it to its original state? Or is it shrunk forever?

[Call me Ishmael]

don't let it shrink. it may return but the stress of changing isn't good.

[veil]

Originally posted by Call me Ishmael don't let it shrink. it may return but the stress of changing isn't good.

 

 

Well, I wouldn't do it voluntarily. But in the case that it does shrink, I am wondering how much back to its original form it will expand do.

[Freeman Keller]

Your neck is probably something like mahogany and your fretboard probably ebony - they will expand/contract at different rates and the fretboard can crack if the change is enought. I'm building a git right now and the instructions say don't glue the fretboard on the neck if the humidity is outside 40-50 percent (particularly if it is higher - not the normal winter problem).

 

Small humidity changes will bow the neck because of different expansion rates - you can correct that with minor truss rod tweaks. However it will probably correct itself when the humidity comes back up but why take a chance - keep it humid. From the Taylor FAQ - there are lots of others

 

Taylor humidity sheet

[exhaust_49]

Thats one reason that I will never have a guitar with an ebony fretboard. Rosewood has given me no problems with cracks.

[Hudman]

I never had a problem with any ebony fretboard shrinking. It gets super dry in the winter in Michigan.

[thirdstone]

The changes in humidity and temp. have to be fairly drastic for any noticeable damage to be done.
At least I've never experienced it.