The Fingerboard

A good fingerboard is made from hard, dense ebony. Even so you will eventually wear grooves into it and the fingerboard will need planing to prevent buzzes from developing and also just for better playing comfort. The fingerboard also needs to be slightly hollowed to give the strings room to vibrate. Eventually the fingerboard will get too thin to get planed and will need replacement. This doesn't happen very often though, so your fingerboard should last you a long time. Unfortunately you will wear out your fingerboard faster when you have somewhat acid sweat. Washing your hands before playing and keeping your nails short and smooth helps prolong the life of your fingerboard and strings. If your fingerboard falls off, loosen the strings (as for a fallen soundpost), otherwise the neck of the instrument can deform.