Strange Mark on Fretboard?

[lucidsounds]

I'm considering buying a 74 Jetglo which looks genuine, and just wanted to check something with you guys. Between the nut and first fret under the G is an area that looks lighter, this is apparent on other photos of this bass, so it's not a reflection. Any idea what it might be? Back of the neck looks perfect, no marks to suggest a repair that I can see. Is it something I should be concerned about?

Thanks!

[robj]

It looks to me like the fretboard was refinished. The spot in question looks to be the normal fret board color and the dark area looks like someone elses work. Just my view from here of course.

[rickaddict]

It's hard to say with that one photo. We can't see much of the fretboard, but it looks really dark to me. Could it have been stained and re-finished?

[lucidsounds]

Here's the rest of the bass...if that helps?

And why would someone refinish the fretboard??

[rickaddict]

Still tough to say. It looks like the fretboard is really dark up to the 4th or 5th fret or so. It could be overspray on a bad re-fin job, but it's probably just a uniquely grained fretboard.

Better photos would help...

[rickaddict]

And why would someone refinish the fretboard??

Seems odd doesn't it? But I've seen it done. Sometimes someone wants a darker fretboard, which can be accomplished with a dark stain. I don't think that was done to this bass though. From the first photo it looked possible, but from the second photo I don't think so.

[rickaddict]

Looks like a nice bass, BTW.

[lucidsounds]

Yes I thought it looked genuine for the year, I'll probably go for this one.

[teeder]

Filler putty where the board chipped while replacing a nut, plus fret job, then refinned?

[lucidsounds]

Frets look original, as does the binding. Nut job, could be, yeah.

[BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS]

a lot of the time, if filler is used to repair a chipped area or just to level a surface, stain will not absorb into it as it would with wood ! ( hey that was a rhyme ! )

[marc61]

Nut job, could be, yeah.

I resemble that remarc