I've been having this problem where I am having a hard time sliding smoothly, like my fingers kinda get "stuck" on the frets. Its as if my fingers or the fretboard is really dry. It makes for really choppy sounding slides when i play so you can see how this is annoying me. How can I fix this? Im guessing someone will say lemon oil, but I thought that you were only supposed to use it very rarely, and because of this, wouldn't it just wear off quickly and become of no use? I noticed when Petrucci plays live, his fretboard appears to be covered in something, but i can only assume doing this a lot would damage the wood. Hmm...
- Thread starter Blah
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Fingerease always works wonders for me! Description from the back of the can:
"Reduces finger tenderness - Stops string "talk" - Extends life of strings - Effective on steel, wound, nylon, or gut strings - Smoothes finger callouses - Frequently used on other stringed instruments. Cleans and protects"
It's safe for use on guitars, however, it does disipate after frequent playing so you may want to spray it on once every few days or so. I'm not sure, but judging from the look of JP's necks while he's playing I think he may use it as well. Either that or the necks are just sweaty from all those notes flying around.
"Reduces finger tenderness - Stops string "talk" - Extends life of strings - Effective on steel, wound, nylon, or gut strings - Smoothes finger callouses - Frequently used on other stringed instruments. Cleans and protects"
It's safe for use on guitars, however, it does disipate after frequent playing so you may want to spray it on once every few days or so. I'm not sure, but judging from the look of JP's necks while he's playing I think he may use it as well. Either that or the necks are just sweaty from all those notes flying around.
John is using some spray on the neck. If you watch Budokan DVD and you turn on Instrumedley (spelling?) with the mutli angle feature you can see that. If you turn on "John's camera" during the break where he is not playing he is spraying his axe before playing
roburado
Well-known member
Yeah. Pretty sure he uses one of those products.
SteveB
Well-known member
Are your fingers really getting stuck on the frets (i.e. the metal), or stuck on the fingerboard in between the frets?
If you're getting stuck on the frets, I'd say try to play with a lighter touch (i.e. a lighter grip on the neck and less finger tension).
If you're getting stuck on the fingerboard, I'd try Fast Fret on the strings, or maybe some lemon oil on the fingerboard. (I believe Fast Fret is mostly lemon oil anyway).
If you're getting stuck on the frets, I'd say try to play with a lighter touch (i.e. a lighter grip on the neck and less finger tension).
If you're getting stuck on the fingerboard, I'd try Fast Fret on the strings, or maybe some lemon oil on the fingerboard. (I believe Fast Fret is mostly lemon oil anyway).
Banger
Well-known member
In this case, it's a nice exercise to practice playing *without* bearing the thumb against the neck's backside (just stick a litte hat on it and wave around or something
). The pressure you build up then pressing down the strings is enough. Every bit more may be considered as lost energy.
Hope I expressed myself comprehensible
jeffrey
Well-known member
I'm with Steve here.
Don't press so hard.
Don't press so hard.
Wow, thanks for all the replies! I think im gonna try the fingerease suggestion, because i don't think its a matter of me pressing too hard as I don't recall this problem on my older guitar I used to have. Just a quick question bout the fingerease, do you just spray it over the strings or do you put it on a rag and apply it that way, and exactly how much of it? Thanks again.
roburado
Well-known member
Never used it myself. If you're just sticking to the strings, how long are you going between string changes? Are you using coated strings or uncoated strings?
A couple of years ago, JP sent in 15 guitars to have the nuts replaced. I figured since they were at the shop, I would do the oil and wax treatment to the necks. There was definately something on the fretboard. The lemon oil just beaded up.
Whatever he used seems to treat the rosewood anyway.
Whatever he used seems to treat the rosewood anyway.
GHS Fastfret is also a good solution, I have used both in the last year or two. For Finger Ease, you spray the strings with a rapid sweeping motion the length of the fretboard. Then, you can spray the back of the neck lightly (EBMM necks are so smooth as it is I don't do this, I love the unfinished feel and In my opinion there is no need to spray the back of the neck) and then gently polish. Basically allow a few moments to dry and then your good to play. On lower priced instruments you may want to test for plastic or finish damage in a hidden area.
PS: You don't need to spray a lot of it on the neck, just a few quick sprays the length of the fingerboard does the job. What I do is spray down the neck until I reach the 24th and then release the spray nozzle that way it does not get on the pickups or body.
PS: You don't need to spray a lot of it on the neck, just a few quick sprays the length of the fingerboard does the job. What I do is spray down the neck until I reach the 24th and then release the spray nozzle that way it does not get on the pickups or body.
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jeffrey
Well-known member
Once a month?!
If you play with any regularity that's not often enough IMO (unless you play very little).
Depending on gigs, recording, etc. I change strings (at the minimum) once a week, sometimes up to 3-4 times a week (if we gig/record).
OrangeChannel
Well-known member
Hey Bud! FingerEase...I actually tried it, it smells kinda funky (like that NYC Cherry B.O. cabdriver scent) but it seems to work pretty well...I haven't really peeped the active ingredients tho, I'd worry about silicone getting in the rosewood and wreaking havoc...
Roche Thomas fingerboard oil is pretty cool too btw...
