Guitar care...

[AngusYoung01]

"specially formulated oil"

I dont know what this is so it might be worth checking with charvel first - or on a charvel forum.

I do a lot of oil and wax finishes like Philly says and i reckon you should be ok to give it an occasional rub down with briwax (not used carnuba but its worth giving it a go) and 0000 steel wool to keep the surface sealed - or maybe 000 for a more satin feel -   Make sure all wax residue is buffed off before putting strings on.  It may get a bit shinier over time as a patina develops but that will feel better than any satin finish can


Oiled necks really do feel great but they do not stay looking great forever.  maybe their "specially formulated oil"  is better but i would guess its just like any other in the long run.  the wood will get darker no matter how much maintenance you do... but if you treat it right  it wont matter how it looks because it will play so nice

Wez, just wondering, could you give us a link to the Briwax you mean, because I found a few different types, clear polish, beeswax, I'm not sure which one you specifically mean?

[WezV]

http://www.briwax.co.uk/products/briwax.html

i obviously use it unadulterated in its clear/natural state

looks like it contains carnuba anyway... i guess i should start referring to it as a 'specially formulated wax for guitar necks'

[AngusYoung01]

http://www.briwax.co.uk/products/briwax.html

i obviously use it unadulterated in its clear/natural state

looks like it contains carnuba anyway... i guess i should start referring to it as a 'specially formulated wax for guitar necks'

Wz, you are a God  :D

So just use that and it'll keep the neck lovely and clean, and keep the goergeous "finish"?

[WezV]

nothing will keep it clean for ever , that the sacrifice with oiled necks... but it will give a nice feeling neck and give the wood the protection it needs

[AngusYoung01]

nothing will keep it clean for ever , that the sacrifice with oiled necks... but it will give a nice feeling neck and give the wood the protection it needs

Which is the main thing  :D  

Cheers though Wez, absolute guitar genius. Oh, how often should I rub it down with the wax?

[WezV]

good question... the answer is simply when it needs it

as a guide i tell people to start of doing it maybe 3 times a year... but if the guitar is regulalry played it will build up a natural patina like an old bannister... so as it gets older it should need less and less

[AngusYoung01]

Fantastic, thanks again Wez!

And its used at least 4 hours every day lol

[AngusYoung01]

Wez, today I went to the local hardware shop for that Briwax, and they didn't have any, but they had this, http://www.fiddes.co.uk/content/supreme-wax-polish.html

The guys said it was basically the same stuff, so I bought it and it looks right. Also, it was cheaper. I ws just wondering if you have come across this in your career?

[WezV]

i havnt tried it but it should be ok.  I stick with briwax because i know it works

Have you got some wire wool   (000 or 0000 only) for applying it  - it works the wax into the wood better than a cloth ever can

Fine wire wool can sometimes be more difficult to find locally  but when in doubt www.axminster.co.uk spring to mind

when using wire wool near a guitar be sure to either remove the neck and do it far away from the pickups or if that isnt possible put some masking tape over the pickups and hoover everything down before removing the tape

[AngusYoung01]

i havnt tried it but it should be ok.  I stick with briwax because i know it works

Have you got some wire wool   (000 or 0000 only) for applying it  - it works the wax into the wood better than a cloth ever can

Fine wire wool can sometimes be more difficult to find locally  but when in doubt www.axminster.co.uk spring to mind

No, I was lookign but they only sold it in ridiculous quantities, huge packs of it. Which would you recommend, 0000 or 000?

[WezV]

I use 0000 for a soft sheen.  000 will be better for a satin finish but anything rougher will scratch!!!

Make sure you see the last paragraph i added above!!

[AngusYoung01]

Thanks Wez, I'll opt for 0000 because I don't want to risk scratching it, and oit has that gorgeous almost holographic like quality that good woods do.

And cheers for reminding me about masking off! I'll do that over taking the neck off purely because of the hassle, but yeh, I did some work on frets when I was doing work experience at my local guitar shop, and the bloody wire wool gets attracted to the pups.... I didn't see that coming  :lol: