STRING AND FRETBOARD MAINTENANCE

Batchimp RG · #1 01-09-2007, 06:44 AM

I use my Jem pretty much every day...I'm a bit paranoid with it as I want to keep it in the best condition possible.

Normally, after a practice session, I wipe down the fretboard with a slightly damp cloth, then wipe with a dry cloth and finally wipe a little lemon oil over the strings....I do this thinking it will preserve the strings and fretboard more.

Is there anything wrong with this?

BTW, I have a nice '83 beater strat that I use but don't fuss over as much.

EDIT: Both fretboards are maple

Awakened Sleeper · #2 01-09-2007, 07:26 AM

Lemon oil is for the fretboard, not the strings. I've recently bought one of these and I can't recommend it enough.

Batchimp RG · #3 01-09-2007, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Awakened Sleeper

Lemon oil is for the fretboard, not the strings. I've recently bought one of these and I can't recommend it enough.

Great thanks, I will consider buying this kit but what are all the bottles for?

Josh_P · #4 01-09-2007, 08:32 AM

After playing just wipe the strings off with a soft dry cloth, don't use oil. I usually clean my fretboard every 3rd or 4th string change. I have a maple board as well (PGM) and this seems to work well. Definitely stay away from the oil though man.

**jim777** · #5 01-09-2007, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chimp

I use my Jem pretty much every day...I'm a bit paranoid with it as I want to keep it in the best condition possible.

Normally, after a practice session, I wipe down the fretboard with a slightly damp cloth, then wipe with a dry cloth and finally wipe a little lemon oil over the strings....I do this thinking it will preserve the strings and fretboard more.

Is there anything wrong with this?

BTW, I have a nice '83 beater strat that I use but don't fuss over as much.

EDIT: Both fretboards are maple

Most lemon oils have some wax in them, so they will help grunge and crap build up by the frets if you don't also clean your fretboard once in a while. Also, Lemon oil can eat through nitro finishes. Most Ibanezes won't have a nitro finish, but it's something to keep in mind if you have a bunch of guitars. Martin acoustic guitars have a "don't use lemon oil on this guitar" warning in their included pamphlets. I use bore oil for my ebony and rosewood fretboards, but not on maple boards. Maple I just play

**JJEMMER777** · #6 01-09-2007, 10:27 AM

Yep! and I don't know how many times I've said this, but STAY AWAY from Lemon Oil! It's highly acidic and will get to your frets.

Use Bore oil on Rosewood and Ebony and NO oil on maple, good Chimp

**jemaholic** · #7 01-09-2007, 11:22 AM

2 years ago I was turned onto this stuff called "Guitar Honey".

OMFG!

I heard the company went out of business, but search google for it- there is still some out there. It is BY FAR the best thing I've ever encountered for fretboards. I've bought up all I could find. Really.

-jemaholic

**JJEMMER777** · #8 01-09-2007, 11:30 AM

Do you know it consists of??? (besides Steve's honey

)

**jemaholic** · #9 01-09-2007, 11:32 AM

I'll look at a bottle tonight and give you all the info....

**jemaholic** · #10 01-09-2007, 11:33 AM

Gerlitz Guitar Honey

Price: $7.95

SKU: guitarhoney

Qty:

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A unique blend of conditioning oils for rosewood, ebony, & other exotic woods. It will cleanse and enhance your fingerboards natural character, giving it a smooth silky feel and lustrous glowing sheen, while protecting against moisture, sweat, alcohol & grime in general. Guitar Honey is also highly effective in safely removing rosin and sticky residue (from tape & decals) on instrument finishes.