'Dull' fretboard?

[The Dude]

Hi folks, been doing a little searching but can't seem to find exactly what I'm looking for. Some time ago I took my '03 4003 to a nearby store for a pro setup, I got it back and everything seemed in order, used it that very night at a gig. Unfortunately I had to have an operation very shortly after so it pretty much went straight back in the case for a month or two. When I got back to playing it, I couldn't help notice that the fretboard seemed very 'dull' in comparison with what i remembered, I always recalled it being extremely shiny, almost mirror like. Now it seems to have a lot less sheen, kind of 'buffed' in a way (hard to describe) and holding it up to the light it seems to be covered in a fine layer of scuffs. So my question is, is this normal in any way shape or form? Could the store have used something on the board that might've deliberately taken the sheen off for some reason, or do i just have a rose-tinted memory? And of course, does it sound like something that could be remedied or could permanent damage have been done?
Any info or help appreciated!

[cassius987]

Every now and then you run into one with uneven varnish due either to the spray job or the fingerboard below. So the shop might have tried to buff it out. Not sure about fretted basses but it can definitely cause issues on a fretless. Good news is it shouldn't be hard to polish it back to a gloss if they buffed it. They may have assumed you are like some players who don't like the gloss because it is "too slick" under the fingers. I don't get this argument but many people I've met swear by it, including my luthier in Denver.

First thing you need to do is confirm exactly what happened with the tech/luthier.

[rickenbrother]

If the finish has not actually been removed or attempted to be removed by someone:
Loosen the strings and move them away from the fingerboard. Use Kit Scratch out or Nu Finish Scratch Doctor. Theses products will bring back the shine to a dull finish. They will also clean and shine the frets. Then use Zymol wax to protect the finish and give it a mirror-like shine. Use only 100% cotton diaper or 100% cotton detailing cloths to apply and buff off these products You'll want to do the whole body of the guitar after that. There are threads on the forum if you do a search in the Reflections of a Curmudgeon forum here on the RRF, where Paul W (jingle_jangle) goes into detail about how to use these products.
Might not get rid of deep scuffs, but should help.

[The Dude]

Cheers for the advice, gave it a good clean and polish yesterday. Still seems to be a lot of the visible scratches but it certainly buffed up to a lovely sheen! Thanks