Cleaning the neck on my AL

[dogross]

I recently purchased a 5 yr old AL and I'm wondering what kind of results I will get if I follow the EB site instructions on cleaning the neck. The guitar is in super shape but the neck has darkened somewhat. There is a definite difference between the neck color and the headstock. How close to new can I get?

 

[candid_x]

How close to new can I get?

Really close, if not as new.

You may not get many responses to your question because it's been addressed many times before on this board, with a few different approaches or opinions.

If you're not going to do it too often, I recommend going over it with 0000 steel wool, then using the proper oil or oil/wax combination to seal it again. Obviously you'll want to guard your pickups from the loose steel wool.

Good luck. Let us know how it comes out.

Bruce

 

[dogross]

Thanks for the response. This was my first post and I sorta felt that it had probably been covered before. I've since learned how to search the archives and I've seen a lot of stuff, so I think I can do it now.

 

[mbgreene]

In addition to the FAQ's which is the most straightforward advice - here's a link to the search function which will show about a dozen threads with neck cleaning in the title.
http://www.ernieball.com/forums/search.php?searchid=407182

Remember the neck is wood finished with oil and wax and may darken over time. Since you got it used and don't know how it was previously cared for, how close to new you can get may depend on that.

Also - the headstock is poly coated, so it may never be an exact match to the neck, even if fully cleaned, due to the finish difference.

Good luck, any guy with an AL is deserving of a straight answer.

However, I cannot officially welcome you to the AL Club until you verify its existence with PICTURES

 

[Spudmurphy]

Hey welcome to the forum - we'd all love to see pictures of your AL.

Take a look at the thread
http://www.ernieball.com/forums/showthread.php?p=158402&highlight=birchwood+casey#post158402

You will need to buy some Birchwood Casey Gun stock oil and also the Wax.

Mask up the pickups and the body where the neck joins because you don't want to get any "gloop" on the body or wire shards if use the 'wool !!

I'd use some wet and dry paper (used dry) going from 1000 grit to 1600 then to 2000 or use the 0000 wire wool. You could also use 3M pads.

Apply the gun stock oil as they do it in the EB factory viz:-
Rub a small quantity onto the neck using a paper towel - after 10 - 20 seconds wipe it off with another towel.

Apply the wax (sparingly) in the same way. Not too much otherwise you will end up with an awesome sheen but not the finish the guitar neck had when it was shipped from the factory.

The headstock is sealed down to about the nut and the rest of the neck has the oiled finish. So expect some difference in the colouration/patina of the the wood.

I would not rub all the patina away as I think it adds to the "mojo" of the guitar.

I'm sure other forumites will chip in.

Spud

 

[Spudmurphy]

In addition to the FAQ's which is the most straightforward advice - here's a link to the search function which will show about a dozen threads with neck cleaning in the title.
http://www.ernieball.com/forums/search.php?searchid=407182

Remember the neck is wood finished with oil and wax and may darken over time. Since you got it used and don't know how it was previously cared for, how close to new you can get may depend on that.

Also - the headstock is poly coated, so it may never be an exact match to the neck, even if fully cleaned, due to the finish difference.

Good luck, any guy with an AL is deserving of a straight answer.

However, I cannot official welcome you to the AL Club until you verify its existence with PICTURES

Ha, I was going to mention the secret handshake dvd and password but I didn't want to confuse him on his first posting LOL

 

[58super]

Murphy's oil soap mentioned in the FAQ works well taking the dirt off.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Murphy's oil soap mentioned in the FAQ works well taking the dirt off.

Hey - leave my oil soap alone !!!!