Fretboard Maintenance

Discussion in 'Guitar Gear Talk Forum' started by RoMeO_Gguru, Mar 29, 2013.

  1. RoMeO_Gguru

    RoMeO_Gguru .::idiotic crybaby::.

    Hi have gone through various fretboard maintenance threads both here and otherwise -- since I'm getting back at guitarring I'm in dire need if getting my gear in top notch form to lay away from excuses on why I suck at playing guitar.

    The problem with the threads here is someone says about what they follow and another person comes up and says this will ruin your guitar and suggests something else..can we settle this once and for all ?

    This is what I have learnt from the forums about cleaning the fretboard

    --using isopropyl alcohol / rubbing alcohol with cotton
    -- then using Duncan 65 fretboardbconditioner

    My gear -- GRG170DX - Ibanez Wiki
    -- F310 - F - Yamaha - India

    Both are Rosewood fingerboard how can I bring back my fingerboards to its original state right now it's full of gunk grime and dried fretboard. The fret metal strips also have some sort of deposition.
     
  2. RoMeO_Gguru

    RoMeO_Gguru .::idiotic crybaby::.

    Update I got this in response to my query from Bajaao--

    Thank you for contacting us. Taking care of a guitar is really important and you could use simple WD 40 on all the crome / hardware to keep the same form rusting. As for the Fret board to ensure it staying from becoming too dry you could check out and order the following products to use on your guitar ensuring great play-ability as well as keeping the guitar in great shape.

    Dunlop Fretboard 65 Ultimate Lemon Oil:

    Buy Online | Lowest Price | Free Shipping| Dunlop Fretboard 65 Ultimate Lemon Oil - Buy online at the guaranteed lowest price in India - BAJAAO - Buy online and Review Musical Instruments, Pro Audio, Studio, P.A. Audio Equipment in India

    Dunlop Ultraglide 65 String Conditioner Cleaner

    Buy Online | Lowest Price | Free Shipping| Dunlop Ultraglide 65 String Conditioner Cleaner - Buy online at the guaranteed lowest price in India - BAJAAO - Buy online and Review Musical Instruments, Pro Audio, Studio, P.A. Audio Equipment in India
     
  3. mymusicmyguitar

    mymusicmyguitar Active Member

    I use the Dunlop Fretboard 65 lemon Oil. Works like a charm!!!

    But dont use much. May be once in 6 months.. Apply all over and then rub off the excess with cotton
     
  4. RoMeO_Gguru

    RoMeO_Gguru .::idiotic crybaby::.

    Ordered it through furtados -- they swapped it with planet waves though because the Dunlop ones were out of stock.

    Should this be applied directly on the fretboard or dabbed in a rag and then rubbed ?
     
  5. aseem_m

    aseem_m New Member

    Doesn't matter. Either with do. Use very little and wipe off the excess.

    Though lemon oil is good you can use any light oil. By light I mean oil that does not solidify in the winters and no vegetable oils please. Interesting trivia for you - lemon oil has nothing related to lemons in it.

    Check this thread - Lemon Oil or Fretboard Conditioner - Page 2 - Les Paul Forums

    Quote: "As Dan Erlewine says, you shouldn't oil your neck more then once or twice a year. "
    Erlewine is a well known luthier. So I think it's safe to assume that he knows his stuff.
     
  6. RoMeO_Gguru

    RoMeO_Gguru .::idiotic crybaby::.

    Getting that grime off was not easy .. Had to first apply the oil on a cotton ball -- the. Use my nails over a fresh cotton ball to scrape if off -- had some minor light scratches on the fretbaord but worth it now its clean -- just used 3-4 drops to wipe the fretboard it just soaked up all the oil in just seconds --

    how do I know if I've applied enough ?
     
  7. RoMeO_Gguru

    RoMeO_Gguru .::idiotic crybaby::.

    Re string the guitar but the damn thing goes out of tune so quickly -- by a full note -- what could be wrong ??

    Ibanez Grg 170 dx in talk here
     
  8. alpha1

    alpha1 I BLUES!

    Do you know what that grime/gunk actually is?
    It is your dead skin from the finger tips.
     
  9. RoMeO_Gguru

    RoMeO_Gguru .::idiotic crybaby::.

    did not know :p -- thanks :D

    good news is board is clean and shiny as new !! now only to learn how to play :(

    have downloaded tonnes of tutorials and guitar lessons of guitar solo's and music theory --

    90mins a day is the target I hope I improve
     
  10. aseem_m

    aseem_m New Member

    Probably a silly question but have you stretched out the strings & lubed the nut? Going out of tune normally or after trem use?
    If it's a trem thing then I can't help you out. No experience with it.

    Hehe..eggjactly. And so is almost all the dust in a room - dead skin. :D
     
  11. RoMeO_Gguru

    RoMeO_Gguru .::idiotic crybaby::.

    hadn't lubed the nut -- how does one do that ? lemon oil is it ?

    ohh and it stays in tune now (more or less) so not an issue now -- still paying a visit to the ibanez service center to get it serviced
     
  12. aseem_m

    aseem_m New Member

    Rub some pencil lead in the nut grooves. Graphite is a lubricant.

    You might also want to check this out.
    How to change strings - restring your guitar - mount strings - YouTube

    He's really slow explaining things so it might try your patience, but hang in there.
     
  13. RoMeO_Gguru

    RoMeO_Gguru .::idiotic crybaby::.

    i'm quite slow at picking things myself -- will enjoy -- thanks
     
  14. alpha1

    alpha1 I BLUES!

    Your's is not a full floating single pivot bridge with locking nut?
    If so then the guitar string WILL go out of tune when you use the whammy bar.

    As a consolation, if yours was full floating bridge, and of poor quality, then your guitar would go out of tune, even while NOT using the whammy!
     
  15. RoMeO_Gguru

    RoMeO_Gguru .::idiotic crybaby::.

    GRG170DX - Ibanez Wiki

    This is my guitar -- whatever bridge that is -- and I lost the tremolo bar have to get a new one :(
     

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