Cleaning rosewood fretboard?

[Marcel]

What do you use for cleaning a rosewood fretboard? And after it I have to oil it?!
How often should i use Fretboard Oil?

 

[Gearjoneser]

I just put lemon oil on a sock, get it clean, and wipe it dry.

 

[HolyDirt]

i use this orangy red stuff called fretboard honey, i use jsut a soft polishing cloth and i apply the fretboard cleaner every time i change my strings

 

[Jeff_H]

Seriously.....nothing like a little hot breath or saliva to clean a fretboard, just ask Dan Erlwine. The less abrasive and harsh the substance to clean the fretboard the better. Use some napthla if it's really dirty.

For oil, I've actually found that I like gun oil the best. Penetrates well and doesn't leave a sticky residue.

 

[rhmcfarland]

fretboard

fretboard

If its gotten goopy, I'll go over the rosewood crossways with super fine steel wool, then go over it with lemon oil. I do that a couple of times a year with my Les Paul.

 

[xerxes]

i use two different techniques:

for a fretboard with a lot of an inlay, i just use some water on a paper towel and some elbow grease (very little water)

for a fretboard with no inlay (dots that arent abalone doesnt count as inlay). i use 500 steel wool. then a paper towel to rub it down. then i use some fretboard conditioner on a paper towel, and rub that in then off.


both of those methods work well for me.

 

[Dave]

I use Dr. Stringfellow's Lem-Oil. Polish a small amt. on with a soft cotton cloth, and wipe dry. I'll usually let it stand overnight and wipe again. New strings and you're set! I'll do it about 3-4 times per year.

 

[italic zero]

If you leave the strings off overnight, won't the neck warp? I mean, my guitar teacher reccomends me to replace the strings one at a time to minimize warping. I like to only have to adjust the truss rod less than 10 times a year.

 

[Ez74]

i use "lizard spit".. which i thought was lemon oil until i just looked at the label.... its actually orange oil. i just put alittle on an old tshirt and rub it in good and let it dry.

 

[BluesNRock87]

adjust trust rod less than 10 times a year? what?

i leave mine alone, and have left guitars without strings for up to a week (no strings!)

when my guitars go in for there yearly checkup (re-set) the tech does a tiny bit of tinkering with the rod, but not alot.....

im a big fan of a damp rag for cleaning

 

[Hawkman]

I've heard that the acids in lemon oil can damage the finish if it comes in contact. Maybe, but who knows for sure. I've always used "Bore Oil" - works like a charm

See website: http://www.beafifer.com/boredoctor.htm

 

[xerxes]

yes, if you leave strings off of a guitar for a large amount of time the neck will warp. when you clean a fretboard, however, you have to take the strings off. what i do is take em off one at a time, clean the board, and put new strings on. this takes less than an hour to do....

 

[Bludave]

The purpose of oil on the fingerboard is two fold one is to clean the second is to keep the frets from coming loose. If you notice the frets beginning to stick out of the sides of the board. Your guitar needs moisture!!!!!!!!
1. First and formost. Always wipe down the fingerboard when you are done playing. This will eliminate many of the problems with guitars.Sweat can cause numerous problems!
2. 3 to 4 times a year remove all the strings and apply a liberal amount of lemon oil, and allow the lemon oil to sit on the fingerboard for about 15 minutes. (this lets the board soak up the moisture and this helps the frets from moving.) without the strings you can see any noticalble fret ware as well!
3. While the fingerboard is still moist with the lemon oil, use (00000)(or very fine) steel wool to buff the frets. this removes any build up on them. (maple boards you must tape of the board to protect the finish)
4. wipe off all excess and restring your guitar.
I have done this regularly and have NEVER had a problem with my boards or frets

 

[korovamilkdud]

I've always used bore oil. It's ridiculously cheap too. $2 will last you like a year. (hint to Stringfellow user)

 

[sgstrat]

Seriously.....nothing like a little hot breath or saliva to clean a fretboard, just ask Dan Erlwine.

When in doubt listen to Dan!

After cleaning I use Stew-Mac's "Fretboard Finishing Oil" twice a year. I bought one bottle years ago, gave some to my bass player son and what I end up not using will go into my estate.

 

[StefanM]

I always use linseed oil. What they use for hockey sticks etc. I don't bother to clean beforehand really, just run a rag over it first, then slop the oil on liberally with a rag.

I take the tuners out, theread some rope through and suspend the guitar in the garage, put heaps of oil on the fingerboard then leave it for a day or so. The drier parts, where the wood has slurped up the oil, I then reoil.

Well, that's what I've always done. I oil the body at the same time too, but that's a different oil.

 

[Nightburst]

http://www.ibanezrules.com/tech/setup/index.htm

Scroll down and click on the link that says 'this'.
It will take you to a page with a complete fingerboard/fretpolish job that has many pictures. Great site!

 

[Dave]

If you leave the strings off overnight, won't the neck warp? I mean, my guitar teacher reccomends me to replace the strings one at a time to minimize warping. I like to only have to adjust the truss rod less than 10 times a year.

That's my routine-never had a problem with warping and there's dust an inch thick on my truss nuts. I also try to keep the room temp/humidity constant as well as similar string gauges.