Maple Fretboards, Gunstock Oil/Wax & EBMM WW's. (again)

[OnFire5210]

I've sifted through many many threads via the search function and as of yet have not found a straight answer as to how to condition an all maple neck.

Are the EBMM WW Fretboard conditioners essentially a substitute for lemon oil?

Do you wax/oil the fingerboard of a maple neck as well?

My understanding is you condition (via either lemon oil or WW fretboard conditioner), apply gunstock oil, and then finally gunstock wax, and voila. Routine maintenance is to recondition with the wonder wipes, and maybe once a year reapply the gunstock oil/wax combo.

Have I got it right?

 

[Grand Wazoo]

Yes and it has been mentioned many times that unlike rosewood, maple doesn't have the same porosity, so all the methods you have descrived are ok provided you don't let whatever stuff you use, soak in the maple fretboard for too long, so Karate Kid wipe on / wipe off and you'll be fine.

 

[TonyEVH5150]

Also, check out the "Caring for your Music Man Neck and Fretboard" video on the Music Man website.

Ernie Ball Music Man Media Gallery

I use the Wonder Wipes for general neck cleaning during string changes. I do the gunstock oil/wax treatment about twice a year. Though I will say that the Wonder Wipes do such a great job of hydrating the neck, that I will probably skip the gunstock oil the next time the neck needs a wax treatment.

 

[OnFire5210]

Thanks for the video link. I watched that vid the other day, but as it's on a pet, it doesn't apply to my question as to whether or not I should oil/wax a maple fretboard (and as to what comes first on the fb, WW or oil/wax)?

 

[TonyEVH5150]

The treatment of both types of necks really isn't that different. The great thing about maple is you can use all three on the entire neck (minus the headstock - already clearcoated). I'd say use the Wonder Wipes first. wipe on, then wipe off. Then the gunstock oil - again wipe on, leave on for a few seconds, then wipe off. Then the wax - wipe on, the buff off. You really don't need to do the oil/wax treatment all that often. With regular use of the Wonder Wipes, the neck should stay well hydrated.

With rosewood fretboards, the oil/wax treatment can actually clog the pores of the fretboard. In fact, it's usually recommended the you only treat the back of the neck, and only use Wonder Wipes on the fretboard.

 

[TonyEVH5150]

Also, there's this little tidbit of info in the Music Man FAQ.

how-do-i-maintain-the-neck-on-my-new-music-man-guitar | music-man-guitars | faq

 

[Spudmurphy]

I'll just throw my 2d worth into the pot.

I've been treating my Maple fretboard on my AL for a couple of years and find that a once a year treatment of the neck is fine for me.

I lightly sand using 400 grit wet and dry and work through the grades - 800 1200 1600 and 2000.
I then apply the Birchwood Casey Gunstock oil using a paper towel - not too much. Just wipe it on and wipe it off. DO NOT LET IT SOAK IN. - because it goes all "gloopy". They just wipe on and then off in the EB factory. Having had 2 new EB guitars, I have a good idea about how the necks feel from new. I don't know why it is but if I apply the gunstock wax after the oil it just doesn't feel to me like the factory neck - it has too much of a sheen (maybe it might be because of my use of the wet and dry up thro the grades?).
Jon gitarz who is the EB repair and set up guy says that he has used a very small amount of wax on the fretboard itself.
I have used Lemon oil on my maple fretboard and it has done a great job. Trouble is continued use of Lemon Oil over a long period of time can result in a smell - kinda like the lemon oil goes off!
I told fellow knucklehead Travs to use lemon oil on his maple neck and he loves the results.
On a side note - I use Johnsons Baby oil on my Rosewood/ebony necks.
Having refurbed a JP recently, the baby oil produced excellent results.
I have used EB Fretboard conditioner too.

 

[Nik_Left_RG]

I have been using Dunlop 65 to do my cleaning and stuff.. I use the lemon oil for the fb.. Is that not a good idea ? I usually put on the oil and wipe down the dirt etc and wipe it clean after..

 

[MusicManJP6]

I've not oil/wax my JP's neck since I bought it 3 years ago. It feels fine to me. What's the purpose?

 

[TonyEVH5150]

I've not oil/wax my JP's neck since I bought it 3 years ago. It feels fine to me. What's the purpose?

Direct quote from EBMM's FAQ section:

Since the neck is unfinished, it can be more susceptible to humidity changes. An annual (or so) dose of gunstock oil and wax will help to keep the neck maintained

 

[lenny]

Yip once a year with the oil and wax ....i use 0000 gauge steelwool ..and give the frets a little buff as well .....oil from Birchwood casey ....leave it on for 60 seconds or so ....wipe it off ....then a very little bit of wax for the back of the neck and i rub whats left over onto the fretboard ...leave it for 60 seconds or so and buff like crazy ...i find its the heat from the final buffing that drives the wax into the neck and makes it NOT sticky ....no fast hand buffing = sticky neck ....and then whenver i change strings i use the wonder wipes ....thats it ...the way i do it...

 

[bugbus]

I've used the murphys soap, then gunstock wax on the back of the neck per the ebmm video with nice results.

However the fingerboard on my maple neck axis has some discolorations and appears to be on the dry side. I used the murphys soap to clean it, scrubbed with some 0000 steel wool, then used the fretboard conditioner. Couldn't get the discolorations out and like I said, the fingerboard appears to be a bit dry.

Considered trying some varying degrees of sanding but my local hardware stores don't have anything finer than 200-300 grit.

 

[Stu-Pendus]

I have looked at many threads on this matter and always use Danish oil.Its high in tung oil and realy penetrates deep into the wood.Just use OOOO wire wool and gently rub into the neck with the grain,keep it wet and when you feel it drying a bit add a bit more.After a minute or two,wipe it off immediatly and keep wiping it until it feels dry.Its designed to be effective in outdoor applications and therefore ideal for necks.I reapply whenever it feels like it needs more(initialy once a month) and the feel of the neck will be superslinky.As far as the fingerboard i do the same but only when i change strings but dont use too much and fully wipe it off as it starts to dry as there is nothing worse than a sticky board.Trust me it good stuff.