Author Topic: Gutiar fingerboards reaction to fast fret? (Read 14875 times)

indysmith · « **Reply #15 on:** October 11, 2005, 05:11:42 PM »

can you take us some pictures:? or would it not be noticable in pictures? seems odd...

Gary · « **Reply #16 on:** October 11, 2005, 08:49:54 PM »

I'm not sure about lemon oil, I've heard some people say it's not good for fretboards. As a former chippie I know that some woods benefit from being oiled - linseed oil on beech worktops is a good example. From what I hear lemon oil is a solvent/ degreaser which is a different thing altogether. I know it smells nice but you'd get the same effect using lemon fragrance fairy liquid, although it might look interesting if your fingers are sweating at a gig and the neck starts producing lather.

Two methods I've been recommended for cleaning fretboards are:

1. 000 grade wire wool - you'd need to put some masking tape over the pickups as they'll attract the minute metal particles and you'e supposed to do it very gently.

2. Gently scr@pe of the dirt with the edge of a credit card - I'd recommend using an expired one otherwise I can't predict what would happen when you put it in a cash machine.

_tom_ · « **Reply #17 on:** October 11, 2005, 08:56:21 PM »

the only thing is, it doesnt look like its a residue or dirt, just the wood grain has gone white :? I hear lemon oil is good for rosewood boards? But not maple as thats allready finished.. I dont think it'll show up in pics but I'll try and get one tomorrow.

PhilKing · « **Reply #18 on:** October 12, 2005, 01:08:27 PM »

I use lemon oil on rosewood and ebony fingerboards with no problems. Just don't drown them in it. You only need a little and then rub it into the grain.

_tom_ · « **Reply #19 on:** October 12, 2005, 01:30:59 PM »

Ok, I'll order a bottle when I order some new strings. Any ideas what string brand and gauge is best for acoustics?

PhilKing · « **Reply #20 on:** October 12, 2005, 07:15:08 PM »

Accoustics vary so much that it is hard to tell you what will work. Just to give you an idea, I went through brass, bronze, 80/20 phosphor bronze, light, med-light and medium gauges to find the strings to suit my guitars. I also use different ones for different guitars.

One thing I can tell you, don't use extra light gauge, go with medium or med-light. You get a much fuller sound. My favourite accoustic strings are John Pearse (http://www.jpstrings.com/brstring.htm), but I also use Earthwood and D'Addario.

_tom_ · « **Reply #21 on:** October 12, 2005, 08:05:31 PM »

hm ok. I think at the minute it has 11s on it, at least thats what the bloke in the shop said..

math2014 · « **Reply #22 on:** October 14, 2005, 01:11:48 PM »

Quote from: _tom_

Hm the thing is, its not actually FastFret, its the Kyser Dr Stringfellows stuff, and Andy it came from Make Music :lol: Its not a residue though, it looks like the grains changed colour :? Should I at least try lemon oil? As it looks horrible at the minute

I have to say that Fastfret leaves my fretboard unaffected, whereas DrStringfellow from Kyser changed the color of my board. So you are spot on this one.

FF + Thomastik Infelds = No string change for 3 weeks (i used to change every 10 days)

Bob Johnson · « **Reply #23 on:** October 14, 2005, 01:39:23 PM »

A word in defence of lemon oil; lemon oil does have a slight solvent/degreasant quality and it's this that helps get all the sweat and epidermis off the finger board. The solvent or to be more precise the "light ends" as they're known in the petro-chem industry, then help to carry the oily constituants into the surface of the wood before evaporating off leaving a nice oily finish behind.

In short it's bloody good stuff!