king_stubby
Active member
OK, I just scored a pretty much mint condition Axis Supersport with a maple board at what has to said was a 'bargaintastic' price and I am really loving getting to know it, it ticks all the boxes for me in terms of sound, looks, playability etc, this time I think it might be true love.
As soon as I got it I performed the obligatory neck clean using all the materials as recommended on this fine site, Murphy's, Old English Lemon Oil, Birchwood Casey Oil and Wax etc but of course I was unable to remove all traces of the previous owners finger movements because, as we all know, unfinished maple boards get dirty, that's just what they do!
I've been enjoying my SS for about a week now but I swear the board is getting more filthy each time I pay it (yes I do wash my hands first) and in truth this pains me greatly. I often wonder why such a beautiful instrument can not be afforded some finish protection on the board, a light coat of something which will preserve the glorious bird's eye maple look but I guess that would then mean that the 'feel' would be sacrificed, which of course would never do.
As I said, every time I play the guitar, subconsciously I know I am making the board dirtier, which in a bizarre way kind of spoils my enjoyment of the instrument, being anally retentive and having OCD probably doesn't help matters much either!
So....what I'm asking for here is your help if you'd be so kind?
I know how much you all like posting pictures of your lovely new guitars and mighty gorgeous they are too but what I want to see is some pictures of your workhorse instrument, more specifically, the unfinished maple neck of the guitar which you have been playing for years, upon which, the board has become totally encrusted with your sweat and grime, I want to see some filth here and I think you may be just the people to help me!!
My reasoning is this....if I can view a few examples of how dirty a maple board can actually get after years of playing, if I can also hear from their owners that they still love these guitars despite the blemishes, that they think the instrument actually plays better now it's properly worn in, then I think I might finally stop 'fretting' about every little mark I put on it and look forward to the day that it becomes my grubby best friend as opposed to a work of art which I'm scared to tarnish.
I hope you can kind of understand where I'm coming from here and I look forward to seeing some shots of your dirty balls real soon!
Much love, Charlie (UK)
As soon as I got it I performed the obligatory neck clean using all the materials as recommended on this fine site, Murphy's, Old English Lemon Oil, Birchwood Casey Oil and Wax etc but of course I was unable to remove all traces of the previous owners finger movements because, as we all know, unfinished maple boards get dirty, that's just what they do!
I've been enjoying my SS for about a week now but I swear the board is getting more filthy each time I pay it (yes I do wash my hands first) and in truth this pains me greatly. I often wonder why such a beautiful instrument can not be afforded some finish protection on the board, a light coat of something which will preserve the glorious bird's eye maple look but I guess that would then mean that the 'feel' would be sacrificed, which of course would never do.
As I said, every time I play the guitar, subconsciously I know I am making the board dirtier, which in a bizarre way kind of spoils my enjoyment of the instrument, being anally retentive and having OCD probably doesn't help matters much either!
So....what I'm asking for here is your help if you'd be so kind?
I know how much you all like posting pictures of your lovely new guitars and mighty gorgeous they are too but what I want to see is some pictures of your workhorse instrument, more specifically, the unfinished maple neck of the guitar which you have been playing for years, upon which, the board has become totally encrusted with your sweat and grime, I want to see some filth here and I think you may be just the people to help me!!
My reasoning is this....if I can view a few examples of how dirty a maple board can actually get after years of playing, if I can also hear from their owners that they still love these guitars despite the blemishes, that they think the instrument actually plays better now it's properly worn in, then I think I might finally stop 'fretting' about every little mark I put on it and look forward to the day that it becomes my grubby best friend as opposed to a work of art which I'm scared to tarnish.
I hope you can kind of understand where I'm coming from here and I look forward to seeing some shots of your dirty balls real soon!
Much love, Charlie (UK)
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