Oil and Waxing Questions?

[blackspy]

So just to be clear, it is ok to oil/wax both the back of the neck and the maple fretboard?

 

[Raz]

So just to be clear, it is ok to oil/wax both the back of the neck and the maple fretboard?

Funny, I did a search on Google and your name came up in an earlier discussion...anyway I'm going to check my Erlewhine book tonight, but read this:

[The vast majority of guitar fretboards are made of rosewood, ebony or maple. These are dense woods with different characteristics. Maple fretboards are almost always sealed with a varnish or lacquer coating and require very little care other than cleaning. The sealant coat prevents dirt and grime from getting into the pores of the wood and accumulating.

Rosewood and ebony are left untreated and the natural oils in the wood protect them. The cleaning products that can be safely used on maple are unsuited to these woods. The same care that is used for these would apply to other dense natural finish fretboards (unvarnished).

/QUOTE]

 

[blackspy]

I've put off doing it for so long because I can't seem to get a consistent set of straight answers. The fact that I know less than nothing about wood, and what is good/bad probably makes me a little more nervous than I should be.

 

[jongitarz]

So just to be clear, it is ok to oil/wax both the back of the neck and the maple fretboard?

No...I would not use gunstock oil and wax on the fretboard. Clean it with lemon oil or murphy's soap.

 

[blackspy]

Ok, I guess coming from you it's probably what is done. Just one question though, doesn't the fretboard need the oil/wax occasionaly too? To keep it sealed, and resistant to humidity changes? I can understand cleaning it with the just lemon oil, which is what I've done up until now, but you're saying the oil is not needed on the fretboard at all? Sorry to be a pain, I just want to get it straight.

 

[SteveB]

blackspy,

Lemon oil, while it cleans the fretboard, is also an oil.

 

[blackspy]

Yeah I suppose it is

 

[Raz]

Well like it said in that quote, maple boards have a laquered sealant, while ebony and rosewood are raw...so cleaning the maple is sufficient, but I did read something somewhere about maple boards, but heck I just can't remember where...

 

[blackspy]

Most maple boards have the sealant or laquer, Fenders, Ibanez, etc.. the EBMM maple boards don't though. I've never had a neck that is like these Musicman necks. Both a good and a bad, I love the feel of it, but have no idea how to care for it, and I want to care for it properly. There just seems to be a lot of confusion regarding the subject even on the posts on this forum. Some say oil/wax all of it, others say don't do the fretboard. The FAQ seems to indicate that lemon oil is good for general cleaning, then I've read posts where people say not to even use lemon oil? The FAQ also seems to say that oil/wax everything is how you do it. Lemon is for regular cleaning.

 

[Raz]

Most maple boards have the sealant or laquer, Fenders, Ibanez, etc.. the EBMM maple boards don't though. I've never had a neck that is like these Musicman necks. Both a good and a bad, I love the feel of it, but have no idea how to care for it, and I want to care for it properly. There just seems to be a lot of confusion regarding the subject even on the posts on this forum. Some say oil/wax all of it, others say don't do the fretboard. The FAQ seems to indicate that lemon oil is good for general cleaning, then I've read posts where people say not to even use lemon oil? The FAQ also seems to say that oil/wax everything is how you do it. Lemon is for regular cleaning.

Well Jonguitaritz is the resident guitar tech, doing work for not only the average Joe but professionals also, so I would just listen to what he says...I mean look at that avatar...that's some serious sh&* bro!

 

[blackspy]

Yeah... I plan to take his advice. I mean who'd mess with a Chihuaha with needle in its teeth??

 

[MikeVt]

Raz..You can use sandpaper on the back of the neck. Use at least 600 grit. I use 600, then 1200 at the shop, and then put the oil on, let it sit for about 5 min. then wipe it off with a clean towell(paper is ok) Then use the wax.

Jon,
I have some questions about this as well. I also bought some Birchwood Casey supplies, and I'm a little nervous about using them for the first time on my new Petrucci.

1. Does the neck come from the factory well protected? If so, what would be a typical amount of time before it would need to be redone? How frequently should it be done after that?

2. I understand that it is ok to use steel wool or sandpaper as you describe above. Do I *need* to do it in order to remove the old wax before re-oiling, or can I just apply the gun stock oil right over the old wax?

3. If I use the lemon oil to clean the neck after every session, why do I need the gun stock oil? Shouldn't the lemon oil be enough to seal the wood?

I've never had a raw neck before, and I really don't want to risk damage...
Thanks,
MikeVt

 

[jongitarz]

Jon,
I have some questions about this as well. I also bought some Birchwood Casey supplies, and I'm a little nervous about using them for the first time on my new Petrucci.

1. Does the neck come from the factory well protected? If so, what would be a typical amount of time before it would need to be redone? How frequently should it be done after that?

2. I understand that it is ok to use steel wool or sandpaper as you describe above. Do I *need* to do it in order to remove the old wax before re-oiling, or can I just apply the gun stock oil right over the old wax?

3. If I use the lemon oil to clean the neck after every session, why do I need the gun stock oil? Shouldn't the lemon oil be enough to seal the wood?

I've never had a raw neck before, and I really don't want to risk damage...
Thanks,
MikeVt

Ok..The neck comes from the factory oiled and waxed, just like you will do it.

If the neck feels rough, use sandpaper or 0000 steel wool. If it feels nice and smooth, don't.

I would not use lemon oil after every session as it is absorbed into the wood, and you could over do it. Wash your hands before you play and that will save you the headaches of cleaning etc. If you have a rosewood fretboard, and it looks dry, give it some lemon oil.

I hope this helps!

Jon

 

[MikeVt]

Thanks Jon - that does help. I guess the only question I have then relates to frequency. I realize that this will differ depending humidity, location, exposure, etc., but is it possible to over-do the gun stock oil and wax? It sounds like I can over-do the lemon oil.

I live in the northeast, and don't play regularly (once or twice per week). I ALWAYS wash my hands before playing. Do you think the neck would be adequately protected if I only did the gun stock oil and wax once per year? The FAQ really just says 'infrequent'....

Thanks again for your help,
MikeVt

 

[jongitarz]

Maybe once or twice a year. You will be able to tell when it needs it. When the neck starts feeling rough, and if it's rosewood, when the fretboard looks dry.

 

[Raz]

You see not only do we have to learn to play them, but also take care of them...guitars and women...where's the peace

 

[CudBucket]

Raz..You can use sandpaper on the back of the neck. Use at least 600 grit. I use 600, then 1200 at the shop, and then put the oil on, let it sit for about 5 min. then wipe it off with a clean towell(paper is ok) Then use the wax.

Jon, thanks for this. I was going to ask you this.

BTW, do you go straight to 1200 from 600? No intermediate grits?

 

[tommyindelaware]

i like the feel of stopping @ 600 grit.......leaves the neck feeling more like natural wood....

 

[CudBucket]

That is nice but Jon had my guitar and did the neck his way and it feels even better to me. So, I'm going to do my project guitar that way.

 

[jongitarz]

Dave,

Yeah I go from 600 to 1200