My maple neck looks more rosewood now!

[Lefty_SS]

hey

my maple fretboard is extremly worn in. i play the thing at least 2 hours, a night. i teach 3 nights a week and its my main ax.

you know when a maple fretboard starts to look used? like the wood has these greenish-brown colour to it? Yngwie's strats all look like this. is there any way to clean that?

i went out and bought some lighter fluid that is supposed to take all the dirt off the neck and make it look new. any ideas or suggestions? iam scared the lighter fluid will not react well to the finish on the neck

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

All mine look like this. Its great!

 

[GWDavis28]

People around hear have always recommended lemon oil to clean the maple fret boards. Do a search for lemon.

Tim, you are truly a sick man, Hahahahahahahaha

Hope this helps, Glenn |B)

 

[robguitar]

I've got an old (16 years) guitar with a maple board that looks like hell. I've only had it cleaned once during that time. I was trying to emulate EVH's board on the original Frankenstien.

I think I've developed my immune system enough to resist illness from playing it. Anyone else who plays it would probably need a tetanus shot.

 

[threeminutesboy]

All mine look like this. Its great!

+1 I like that !

 

[TonyEVH5150]

lighter fluid (Naptha) will do fine with it. But lemon oil, a rag, and some elbow grease does the trick. You can use Murphy's oil soap as well.

 

[mbgreene]

You can also use a bit of Murphys Oil Soap and water to get the grime off.

Cleaning is subjective. Some people like the worn/played look, some like to keep their stuff immaculate. Don't know if anyone saw the GP article on Mike Campbell's circa 1950 Broadcaster. He hasn't dated it because he never took the neck off to look at the serial #, has replaced 1 fret since he got it in 1976 and tells his tech never to clean it because it shows where all the playing has been. At this point it really almost looks like a rosewood board but that thing has some major mojo.

 

[Astrofreq]

hey

iam scared the lighter fluid will not react well to the finish on the neck

just don't light it!

 

[candid_x]

Yikes! Never heard of using lighter fluid. I use a couple drops of lemmon oil, as was suggested. I order it from here: http://www.herbs-wholesale.com/products/Lemon_Oil/24538/Lemon_Oil.htm A little goes a long way.

 

[edensdad]

I've got an old (16 years) guitar with a maple board that looks like hell. I've only had it cleaned once during that time. I was trying to emulate EVH's board on the original Frankenstien.

I think I've developed my immune system enough to resist illness from playing it. Anyone else who plays it would probably need a tetanus shot.

Thanks - I needed a good laugh

 

[Ali]

When we're talking lemon oil, are we talking "lemon oil" the petroleum bproduct with a lemon scent added to it, which is about as herbal as titanium, or are we talking about actual lemon oil usually sold as "citronella" ?

 

[kompressaur]

just get lemon oil out of your local music shop. why all the pallava about this?

Komp

 

[Lucidology]

Hey.. don't touch it whatsoever...

You've got an official "Relic" Music Man in your hands !!

Now how cool is that 'eh....

 

[robelinda2]

no-one has mentioned 0000 steel wool yet? cleans it up good!

 

[candid_x]

When we're talking lemon oil, are we talking "lemon oil" the petroleum bproduct with a lemon scent added to it, which is about as herbal as titanium, or are we talking about actual lemon oil usually sold as "citronella" ?

No, not lemon scented petro based products. Real lemon oil.. the kind which comes from lemons.

 

[LoudGtr]

Windex!!

It's great for everything don't ya' know!

 

[Lefty_SS]

i tried the lighter fluid. it worked very well. nice and clean

 

[Sin]

Murphy's Oil Soap and 0000 Steel Wool works fantastic.

Put a cap full of MOS in a disposable dish or cup. Add two caps of warm water. Dunk the 0000 Steel Wool in the MOS, and scrub away. Not only will it get rid of finger grime, but the grime stains as well leaving a new looking/feeling neck. Use dry 0000 Steel Wool to really get the finger grime stains removed.

 

[robelinda2]

might have to get me some of this Murphy's Oil Soap, i bet i wont be able to find it here in Australia.

 

[jazzbo jim]

Actually, and I'm sure someone from EBMM will verify this, once the neck gets that dirty it is not only useless but actually UNSAFE to play. Please mail it to me and I will ensure it is disposed of safely. Good luck in your search for a new one.