Author Topic: Guitar Care? (Read 5938 times)

rahnooo · « **on:** May 09, 2006, 05:38:40 PM »

So it's about time I did the regular string change on both my electric and acoustics (mandolin, lapsteel and violin were done a month or so ago) and I was wondering if there was any guitar care I should be doing while the strings are off.

I give both instruments a polish while they are unstrung, but I was wondering if I should be doing anything else, specifically to the fretboard and frets. Both have rosewood fretboards, so would a drop of lemon oil or something do them the world of good? Some of the upper frets on my Epi are starting to discolour so should I whip something over them to take off the tarnish?

Lets share your guitar tips and advice people :)

*Rahnooo*

Dakine · « **Reply #1 on:** May 09, 2006, 06:25:21 PM »

If the frets are heavily soiled a toothbrush is a good idea. Some very weak soapy water is fine as long as not too much.
Other than that some lemon oil wiped on, left couple minutes and wiped off should be fine.
You have exactly the right idea.

math2014 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 09, 2006, 06:37:36 PM »

2-3 times per year you could use some Dunlop 02 Deep fretboard conditioner (it is not lemon oil). It restores the wood's oils if it is dry, and prevents drying out.

For frets, i use 0000 steel wool to polish them. Some day (sooner than later), i ll just go to either Feline or Chandlers to get SS frets and never care about my frets again... never. :shock:

R/2e · « **Reply #3 on:** May 10, 2006, 07:50:16 AM »

0000 gauge steel wool and lemon oil will clean/treat your board and your frets at the same time. Wipe off the excess, leave to dry then polish with a dry cloth. If the frets are particularly bad, get some fretboard shields or mask the board and polish the frets vigourously with dry steel wool before doing the board.

Jp. · « **Reply #4 on:** May 10, 2006, 11:08:32 AM »

I'm a bit over the top with mine but this is what I do....

I tape up the board (this takes about 20 mins) and use a scourer and a dab of Brasso on each frett and then polish of each with a clean rag.

Untape the whole board then lemon oil.

I'll do this to my rosewood board about twice a year.

Every second time. (once a year) I'll then pull my tuning heads apart and put an ever so small drop of machine oil into each.

Ratrod · « **Reply #5 on:** May 10, 2006, 12:23:53 PM »

A bit of oil can make your fretboard look and feel great. I use a bit of Pol metal polish and a rag to get the frets shiny.

mikeluke · « **Reply #6 on:** May 10, 2006, 01:53:11 PM »

Don't think that lemon oil is recommended on maple fretboards though - just in case...

I've also done the tape up the board trick and polished the frets with Brasso/0000 wirewool - worked a treat.