How come your fretboard gets gross . . .

[GuitarStv]

. . . but the back of the neck of the guitar never gets dirty?


Particularly noticeable on a maple fretboard. I figure that my hands are the source of the dirt and grime, sure. It's always the fretboard that gets grimy and never the back of the neck. I don't think it's because my fingertips sweat more than my palms. It can't even be corrosion from the strings, because I use Elixirs and tend to change them before there's really any visible rust on 'em. I don't see how my fingertips could possibly be more dirty than the rest of my hands. But I've always got to clean crap off the fretboard and never need to clean dirt and grime off the back of the neck.

What's the deal?

 

[dpaterson]

Re: How come your fretboard gets gross . . .

Dunno. Good question. I've noticed that the Maple fretboard on one of my guitars is getting darker and darker as the weeks go by. Strange thing though is that it's not dirty at all (I'm pretty anal about keeping my guitars sparkling clean). It could be the coating though (satin lacquer) i.e. it's not exposed, raw, Maple. Sure is getting a vintage look real quick!!! LOL!!!

 

[Mincer]

Re: How come your fretboard gets gross . . .

I just put a set of Dean Markleys on my acoustic (they were given to me) and they turned my fingers and fretboard black in spots. With normal strings, I tend to wipe down the strings and the rest of the guitar when I put it down, so it keeps the fretbaod looking good. I do change strings often (they don't last long in this humidity), so I get a change to deep clean the guitar when I do that.

 

[NegativeEase]

Re: How come your fretboard gets gross . . .

I like the dirty topics.

It's the sliding motion of your palm that makes it the grime from all over your hand end up building up in the longitudinal creases in your palm and not your neck -especially the Radial crease and the one above it (cant remember it's name) Not kidding.

Your palm acts like a Magic Eraser or Scotch Pad, but because of the presence of frets and your fingers not doing a wiping motion, the fretboard gets buildup -although under your fingernails is also a germ trap.

Wash your hands fellas.

 

[dpaterson]

Re: How come your fretboard gets gross . . .

I like the dirty topics.

Argh. You dirty boy!!! LOL!!!

Come to think about it there are suddenly an inordinate number of threads on the topic of cleaning guitars and stuff!!! LOL!!!

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: How come your fretboard gets gross . . .

I would guess that the palm of your hand might tend to wipe away dirt and grime from the back of the neck when you slide up and down positions whereas the frets themselves might tend to “trap” the dirt...?

 

[kramersteen]

Re: How come your fretboard gets gross . . .

I like it dirty it adds character and shows you're actually playing.

 

[Cynical]

Re: How come your fretboard gets gross . . .

How does the "palm acts as a magic eraser" theory hold up for those of us who play with our thumb on the back of the neck?

 

[Gtrjunior]

How come your fretboard gets gross . . .

I did say I was guessing....

But if you only use the thumb then it would stand to reason that your thumb slides along the neck and therefore wipe the dirt too.

 

[Cynical]

Re: How come your fretboard gets gross . . .

I was referring more to NegativeEase's post; unlike my palm, my thumb doesn't have creases with which to catch dirt.

(I suspect that the fact that the back of the neck is generally finished but the fretboard isn't has more to do with things...)

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: How come your fretboard gets gross . . .

Excessive masturbation

 

[JohnnyBsurfin]

Re: How come your fretboard gets gross . . .

Excessive masturbation

Right.

So wash your hands after you strangle the snake

 

[Adieu]

Re: How come your fretboard gets gross . . .

String crud?

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: How come your fretboard gets gross . . .

Right.

So wash your hands after you strangle the snake

Well, if you're going to play guitar . . . as far as I can figure it's only important to wash your fingertips after masturbation.

 

[NegativeEase]

Re: How come your fretboard gets gross . . .

How does the "palm acts as a magic eraser" theory hold up for those of us who play with our thumb on the back of the neck?

I can't help it if you play the guitar in a super uncool style.

I kid I kid.

No idea. I guess it's back to being the great quandary of our time.

 

[SlyFoxx]

Re: How come your fretboard gets gross . . .

Right.

So wash your hands after you strangle the snake

Actually it's good to wash before too.

 

[RorySquier]

Re: How come your fretboard gets gross . . .

Keith Richards had sticky fingers which made the fret board on his 5 string Tele get gross.



;>)/