recommended method for cleaning EBMM EVH fretboard?

[chrisjscott]

Just got my first EBMM guitar, an EVH model - wanted one for 20 years! It's a nice hard tail amber model. The fretboard's got some dirt on it that I'd like to try and clean up but I'm completely unfamiliar w/ maple necks (only ever had ebony or rosewood). On top of that, I'm not sure whether or not these necks are unfinished.

Anybody got a recommended procedure for cleaning up these necks?

 

[BoogieBomb]

Most maple necks are finished with a clear coat on the fretboard as well, but I believe EBMM does the neck+fretboard unfinished, then oil+wax rub (except for the headstock).

EBMM's instructions for cleaning the back of the neck include using lemon oil to remove dirt, and using a wax product like Birchwood-Casey to "seal" the neck. If it's really bad, recommend diluted Murphy's oil soap and a toothbrush.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Welcome to the forum. Good advice above and there is plenty already here on the forum.

I picked up on the fact that it is a hardtail which you probably know is a rare beast in the MM EVH world.
I have a red EVH hardtail (links to it in my sig).

I'm sure that I'm not the only one here who would love to see photos of your EVH?

Easiest way is to open a photobucket account - that way you can post a few pictures here without clogging up the system.

 

[chrisjscott]

Thanks, SpudMurphy. Happy to post pics - I was searching the serial # of my guitar and it looks like a former owner posted about it back in '06 (a former owner who's since been banned from the forums!).

Anyhow, I'll draft off of the pics posted during the eBay auction: Lilypix.com Photo Gallery - Amber EVH HT 050

Or how about these - pics posted by the afore-mentioned previous owner <lol>: Lilypix ¤ View Album ¤ EBMM EVH 84050

Just spent the morning cleaning the fingerboard w/ 0000 steel wool and some diluted Murhy's Oil soap - looks a lot cleaner tha nit did (I don't mind having grit in there, but I want it to be MY grit). There's some deep-seated dirt in the grain that I don't think I'm going to get out but it's definitely better-looking...

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

When I cleaned the fingerboard on my EVH and Axis guitars recently, I used wire/steel wool and left it there. Did the job and came out very nicely.