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GMC Forum _ GEAR & PRODUCTION _ Cleaning Your Axe
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 11 2011, 05:27 PM
Some time ago, a very talented guitarist and friend of mine, told me an interesting thing 
it may seem strange though.
'Mate, don't clean the guitar's fretboard! That dirt is a part of your sound!'
I never tried not to, but it stayed on my mind since that time.. What if the way the residues add on the fretboard, influence the sound in such a way that in combination with the characteristics of our hand and fingers dynamics, it contributes to the uniqueness and individuality of our sound as a guitarist? Crazy thoughts? 
Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 11 2011, 05:42 PM
I'm using this to clean my guitar:
http://www.pintunet2007.com/ML_Pinturet/DSC00169.JPG
It's originally for cars but my Luthier recommended it and it really works!
Posted by: thefireball Jul 11 2011, 05:49 PM
I don't know...but I just don't want grime on my fretboard.
Posted by: Sinisa Cekic Jul 11 2011, 06:14 PM
LoL,no offense but that's priceless !!
Or maybe he was trying to tell you that you are dirty player ,hehehehe...
Posted by: Christopher Stortz Jul 11 2011, 07:11 PM
My first guitar has a maple fretboard and when I started out I never really put much effort into cleaning the neck. Eventually my finger gunk ate through the satin finish in certain areas and stained the wood.
Personally, I like it on that particular guitar for two reasons:
1.) It actually looks rad on that guitar - sort of a 'I've been through hell' look.
2.) A reminder to clean the fretboards of my guitars from that point on 
Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Jul 11 2011, 07:37 PM
Or maybe he was trying to tell you that you are dirty player ,hehehehe...
ahaha
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 12 2011, 02:17 PM
I have to admit I raised the ball and allowed Sinisa to kick as strong as possible
Posted by: Fran Jul 12 2011, 03:13 PM
Let me guess, he likes grunge
I keep my hands clean, so my fretboards remain mostly clean too
I always wipe the strings with a cloth after playing. That's all.
Oh, and on my SG I try to remember to use an ernie ball wonder wipe once a year, but only to avoid the rosewood getting too dry. Which, by the way, I didn't do this year
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 12 2011, 03:19 PM
I keep my hands clean, so my fretboards remain mostly clean too
I always wipe the strings with a cloth after playing. That's all.
Oh, and on my SG I try to remember to use an ernie ball wonder wipe once a year, but only to avoid the rosewood getting too dry. Which, by the way, I didn't do this year
Wonder wipe? Never heard of that
Posted by: Fran Jul 12 2011, 03:28 PM
Yeah, they are like toweld with lemon oil. Good for rosewood necks.
Posted by: Azzaboi Jul 12 2011, 05:01 PM
It's the glue that holds it together, isn't it???
Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 12 2011, 06:45 PM
it may seem strange though.'Mate, don't clean the guitar's fretboard! That dirt is a part of your sound!'
I never tried not to, but it stayed on my mind since that time.. What if the way the residues add on the fretboard, influence the sound in such a way that in combination with the characteristics of our hand and fingers dynamics, it contributes to the uniqueness and individuality of our sound as a guitarist? Crazy thoughts?
Got a good chuckle out of that one
I guess old strings and bad intonation could be "Part of ones sound" as well! Seriously folks, clean your fretboard from time to time. Some lemon oil will do a nice job and keep the wood in decent shape. If there is a ton of grunge you might needs some type of brilo pad (like a sponge made from aluminum wire) to scrape the gunk off.
Posted by: WeePee Jul 12 2011, 08:35 PM
I clean my guitar frets every time I put new strings on.
I use old plastic (credit)card and an old toothbrush for wiping the crap out.
Posted by: Ben Higgins Jul 12 2011, 09:31 PM
There's not getting away from the fact that it's finger poo.....
I probably clean the frets about once or twice a year 
I know, it's bad......
Posted by: Bossie Jul 12 2011, 09:59 PM
Strange ..never have any filth on my guitars. Maybe my roadies clean them 
Posted by: Daniel Realpe Jul 12 2011, 11:25 PM
My guitar gets dirty so quick...I guess it's because I have such sweaty hands. Usually the guy who sets my guitar cleans them and he does a really good job. Around every 6 months or so
Posted by: The Uncreator Jul 13 2011, 12:45 AM
I probably clean the frets about once or twice a year
I know, it's bad......
Wow, I do mine like once a week
Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Jul 13 2011, 08:20 PM
I don't do it very often. It's rare for me to strip the strings and clean it in full...
I did find out one trick how to clean my bass strings and keep the fresh - GHS Fast Fret
1. Just wipe it on (and don't wipe the excess off like it says in the manual)
2. Leave it over night
3. Tomorrow enjoy the new strings sound again
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 13 2011, 09:32 PM
I kinda dislike the 'greasy' feeling left after using the fastfret
Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Jul 13 2011, 09:41 PM
Yeah - me too. But I kinda got used to it. Also, it's barely noticeable the day after. I never play right after application rather let it "dry"
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 13 2011, 09:43 PM
The coated strings don't need fastfret, so, that's another plus for them
I just strapped my PRS Custom 24 with a brand spanking new set of Elixir 0.9 - 0.46! HEAVEEEN
Posted by: moleman Jul 16 2011, 01:56 AM
I just strapped my PRS Custom 24 with a brand spanking new set of Elixir 0.9 - 0.46! HEAVEEEN After your recommendation I got a set of elixirs that I'm gonna put on next week. Cheers Cosmin
When I change my strings I always polish the whole guitar with a soft tissue and then with one of those microfiber guitar cloths.
I polish the neck with an orange oil wood polish, but haven't found anything good to polish the body. I am too scared to try car polish like Gabriel.
I also wipe the neck with a guitar cloth after each time I play (I'm greasy
), and use my computer cleaner compressed air to get dust out of the pickups etc. Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 16 2011, 02:24 PM
When I change my strings I always polish the whole guitar with a soft tissue and then with one of those microfiber guitar cloths.
I polish the neck with an orange oil wood polish, but haven't found anything good to polish the body. I am too scared to try car polish like Gabriel.
I also wipe the neck with a guitar cloth after each time I play (I'm greasy
), and use my computer cleaner compressed air to get dust out of the pickups etc.Great man! Let me know how they feel
What tension did you get?
Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jul 16 2011, 07:02 PM
yes yes, I heard the grease does a little treble rolloff too
I like cleaning the guitars, and do it often, every time I change the strings. I even starterd too use hand electric grinder similar to one on the picture (but with polishing tip) for cleaning the fretboard, it works great, and it's very easy to do.
Posted by: noztnac Jul 18 2011, 07:18 AM
... while your at it don't wash your underwear. It's part of your vibe.
Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jul 18 2011, 08:15 AM
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 18 2011, 08:38 AM
don't you know that lucky drawers are not to be cleaned ever? As Will Smith used to say in 'The Fresh Prince of Bel Air'
Posted by: Ben Higgins Jul 18 2011, 09:48 AM
don't you know that lucky drawers are not to be cleaned ever? As Will Smith used to say in 'The Fresh Prince of Bel Air' Guys, guys, guys......... sometimes you have to know when not to listen to tv programmes
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 18 2011, 10:10 AM
well, that show was my favorite, during the times when I used to watch TV
Posted by: moleman Jul 20 2011, 04:56 AM
Do you guys do anything to clean the metal fret dividers? (I don't know the real name 
)
Someone recommended putting tape on either side of the metal to protect the fretboard, and then rubbing the metal with steel wool.
I'm a bit scared to try it though, in case it scratches up the metal and I can't bend as smoothly.
Any experience with this?
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 20 2011, 12:25 PM
)Someone recommended putting tape on either side of the metal to protect the fretboard, and then rubbing the metal with steel wool.
I'm a bit scared to try it though, in case it scratches up the metal and I can't bend as smoothly.
Any experience with this?
Check out one of Ivan's answers to this thread, a few posts above - that little electric grinder can have another head in its tip (a tougher one, suitable for metal) and after covering the wood with tape you can safely clean the metal fret dividers - although i am not quite certain of what sort of a head you have to use.
Posted by: besip Aug 4 2011, 01:03 AM
I have Jacksonsl2h model Japan version with i believe rosewood fretboard....
i was never do the cleaning yeat because i was during some issue don't play the quitar over 1 year
the guitar was played around 1 year before was closed for long time on case.....after more then 2 years the string still sound good but i want to change them..{first time on floyd rose} that's be fun and with the change i want to clean the guitar and specialy fretboard..somebody here..say something abouth lemon oil.....
it's not expensive stuff cost around 3£ but what's about olive oil??? can i save 3£ ? ias was read here some guys use here car cleaner and this is work also good 
Posted by: moleman Aug 4 2011, 01:17 AM
Nah, olive oil is for newbies mate. You wanna go with chip fat. Used is best, so if you can't get some from your local, try to cook up some french fries in your house.
Little known fact: Jimi Hendrix used to polish his fretboards with chip fat, and started playing with his teeth after missing dinner before a gig one night.
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 4 2011, 06:49 AM
Little known fact: Jimi Hendrix used to polish his fretboards with chip fat, and started playing with his teeth after missing dinner before a gig one night.
Hahaha
where did you know this from? It smells like a rock n roll story
Posted by: moleman Aug 4 2011, 08:44 AM
I saw it in a Jimi documentary. It also said that he used to play guitar in the toilet a lot.
Ok, I'm lying about the fretboard, but I really did see a documentary that he used to play his guitar in the toilet because he liked the acoustics
Posted by: besip Aug 4 2011, 11:01 AM
Little known fact: Jimi Hendrix used to polish his fretboards with chip fat, and started playing with his teeth after missing dinner before a gig one night.
haha
i working on MC.Donalds now so i can ask them and take home some oil used over day..or better over week
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 4 2011, 11:25 AM
Oh mama a flushing jam!
Ok, I'm lying about the fretboard, but I really did see a documentary that he used to play his guitar in the toilet because he liked the acoustics
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