So I bought some Wonder Wipes...

[Lord Toneking]

Not to bash on my EB family, but I'm now 'wondering' why I bought them...I was not impressed at all. It seems that Murphey's oil soap and some lemon oil works just as good if not better.

Go ahead...I've put my flame suit on

 

[fogman]

I have yet to use them. but put it this way.
Which would you rather in your case when travelling???
Would you want a bottle of oil soap in there that could potentially leak???
I think the purpose of the WW is not to necessarily be the best thing, but a convenient thing.
I think the whole idea is unique and original in it's simplest form.

 

[Bengal]

Question from a newb about these.

Do they take the place of Murphys and lemon oil?

I just got my first EBMM and the maple fretboard has a slight darkening to it. So i did a search and read a ton of stuff on how to deal with it. Some say to just use lemon oil, others say to use Murphys first then the lemon oil. Some use a toothbrush and some don't.

So here are a few more questions.

Does lemon oil clean dirt off a maple fretboard? Or is it just a conditioner?

If that answer is yes, why use the Murphys Oil Soap?

Will these Wonder Wipes take the place of both of those or just one or neither?

I didn't seem to find those answers when reading the posts already on the subject. But I might have missed it.

Nice forum.

 

[Lord Toneking]

Question from a newb about these.

Do they take the place of Murphys and lemon oil?

I just got my first EBMM and the maple fretboard has a slight darkening to it. So i did a search and read a ton of stuff on how to deal with it. Some say to just use lemon oil, others say to use Murphys first then the lemon oil. Some use a toothbrush and some don't.

So here are a few more questions.

Does lemon oil clean dirt off a maple fretboard? Or is it just a conditioner?

If that answer is yes, why use the Murphys Oil Soap?

Will these Wonder Wipes take the place of both of those or just one or neither?

I didn't seem to find those answers when reading the posts already on the subject. But I might have missed it.

Nice forum.

Hey ...welcome!

Ya know, I'm pretty freaky about trying to keep my fretboard clean (maple). I've tried about everything and to be honest I think Murphy's works the best with a rub down of lem oil afterwards. Unfortunately with unfinished necks, we're gonna sacrefice some beauty with 'feel'...there is just no way to keep that neck looking clean forever. I change strings every other week and I scrub the neck with every ounce of energy I have but yet it's still getting darker and darker.
I guess Wonder Wipes will take the place of the lem oil, but to save some $ I would just use Murphy's and lem oil...just my .02

 

[Bengal]

Hey ...welcome!

Ya know, I'm pretty freaky about trying to keep my fretboard clean (maple). I've tried about everything and to be honest I think Murphy's works the best with a rub down of lem oil afterwards. Unfortunately with unfinished necks, we're gonna sacrefice some beauty with 'feel'...there is just no way to keep that neck looking clean forever. I change strings every other week and I scrub the neck with every ounce of energy I have but yet it's still getting darker and darker.
I guess Wonder Wipes will take the place of the lem oil, but to save some $ I would just use Murphy's and lem oil...just my .02

Thanks for the welcome!

So the soap does the cleaning, makes sense, and the lemon oil keeps the maple from getting too dry.

Does it change the "feel" of the fretboard?

And is it true that the more you play it, it gets "dirty" faster and faster?

Has anyone around here let their fretboard just go and get dirty and broken in?

I'm on the fence a bit because I'm trying to decide if I try to keep it clean or not give a damn and let it get worn in and black and all that cool looking stuff. I love the feel of it now. I really like the feel of the back of the neck so I don't think I'll do anything to that.

Sorry for the newb questions. I have never really tackled an "unfinished" maple neck before. I'll pull necks off and change electronics and all that stuff but for some reason dealing with a maple fretboard like this gives me the heebie jeebies. I really, really don't want to stain it.

Thanks for the help.

 

[candid_x]

There doesn't have to be an either/or. Murphy's happens to be a wood-safe soap. Pure lemon oil (not lemon scented garbage like Pledge) cleans as well as conditions oil finished necks, as do the Wonder Wipes. It's all personal preference. Sometimes you need something more aggressive to get the dug in dirt out, and 0000 steel wool does the job.

For a more in-depth and longer lasting protection, go with the Birchwood Casey Tru Oil and Wax once a year or so, then using Wonder Wipes the rest of the time is quick and easy. But don't use Birchwood Casey on rosewood boards. For that the WW fretboard conditioner is tops, but you could use real lemon oil if you prefer.

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

My maple necks after 10 years almost look like rosewood! Thats what happens when you use your guitars!

That said, the WW do keep the neck in a nice condition and stop them getting really sticky.

 

[Bengal]

Cool, thanks for the info guys.

I think I'll just let it go until it bothers me and then I'll try the Murphys and lemon oil.

As for the wax, Not sure on that one. I'd think that would change the feel of the fretboard. I assume all that is doing is providing a barrier between your fingers and the fretboard.

I want the broken-in feel to it. Like it's been played for a long time. I'm thinking the best way to get that is to let it go. As long as the fretboard doesn't get sticky. That could be a problem.

 

[morsecode]

I use all three of the Wonder Wipes and I'm very impressed with them. Convenient and surprising it this long for someone to market this idea considering how simple it really is in concept alone.

My only issue....they're near impossible to locate here in Canada and I've been having to buy them off eBay for the past year.

 

[Sweat]

Wonder Wipe products work great, the Instument polish when used regularly cleans the body well, the fretboad conditioner works great on rosewood and if used right takes care of maple really well, string cleaner better than wiping with a cloth extends string life, I use the fretboard conditioner on the back of my necks to take the grunge off, wipe on then use a clean polish cloth wipe off, dont allow it to penetrate, nuff said

 

[candid_x]

As for the wax, Not sure on that one. I'd think that would change the feel of the fretboard. I assume all that is doing is providing a barrier between your fingers and the fretboard.

Same here, I don't use the wax either. Neck's not as shiny but it has a more natural feel, to me. But as for "change the feel of the fretboard", that's how they leave the factory (waxed maple boards), according to their published "care of" info. Maybe that's changed since Wonder Wipes came out, dunno.

 

[Lord Toneking]

Thanks for the welcome!

So the soap does the cleaning, makes sense, and the lemon oil keeps the maple from getting too dry.

Does it change the "feel" of the fretboard?

And is it true that the more you play it, it gets "dirty" faster and faster?

Has anyone around here let their fretboard just go and get dirty and broken in?

I'm on the fence a bit because I'm trying to decide if I try to keep it clean or not give a damn and let it get worn in and black and all that cool looking stuff. I love the feel of it now. I really like the feel of the back of the neck so I don't think I'll do anything to that.

Sorry for the newb questions. I have never really tackled an "unfinished" maple neck before. I'll pull necks off and change electronics and all that stuff but for some reason dealing with a maple fretboard like this gives me the heebie jeebies. I really, really don't want to stain it.

Thanks for the help.

I would just give her a scrub down whenever you change strings. You'll extend the beauty of the neck and it does'nt take away that 'broke in' feel...it's a MusicMan...they all feel broken in

 

[whitestrat]

I love the wipes. Mainly because I'm lazy. lazy to use BOTH an oil and whatever to grease the neck, AND have to wipe down after that. I simply take one wipe, and use that wipe for the whole neck, then leave the guitar to dry for one day. that's mainly it.

LOVE it!!!!!

 

[Lou]

My only 'complaint' about the wipes is that the fretboard conditioner is really wet. There is enough there to do 5 guitars at least. Other than that they are great.

 

[BigTony]

I mean really, is there a point in popping onto the EB forum to tell them you prefer another brand. I personally don't like sprouts, but I wouldn't dream of heading over to a sprout forum to tell em I prefer carrots!

 

[Smellybum]

Lord tone king - you're entitled to your opinion sir, now let me tell you why you're wrong!

When I was a teenager I had a part time job working in a guitar store, I then took a full time job in a guitar store when I left school - it was my child-hood dream - (I then realised the money sucked and moved to IT....) anyway

Every saturday (and then every day ) you have to clean the guitars in the store, now if back in those days such a thing as the wonde wipes range existed life would have been SO MUCH EASIER..... as you had to use furniture polish for the body, fast fret or generic lemon oil for the neck and sometimes a dinner knife to clean the crap off the strings. - and my personal favourite magic marker to fill in the dings and meths to get the real heavy crap off.

almost 15 years later Brian (and everybody else) have a sensible idea to put out Wonder wipes, simple, resealable , disposable -So clever yet so simple it should have won America's next inventor.

I will personally argue with ANYONE who says they are crap - If you don't think they're good take the fiary challenge - clean 10 guitars with 'Cleaning products misc.' and 10 with wonder wipes...... no contest. and you won't go home smelling like a bee took a dump on your clothes.

Some of you will be asking why ol' smelly is so pissed at this thread, I guess it's my scarred youth coming back to haunt me, but these things are just so clever and on such a subtle level it angers me when people don't appreciate them, because brand x does something for 'em.... look beyond the shiny bottle and use the stuff.

Rant over.

 

[MusicManJP6]

I've never thought of it in those terms Smelly, but sounds like a real time saver compared to the method you used to use at the music store!

I, for one, LOVE the instrument wipes. I use them every week. It makes the finish feel like it just got a fresh coat of wax! It's smooth and soft like a freshly waxed car after I use one of those bad boys. The fretboard conditioner is not used nearly as much, and rightly so. I only use them when my necks look 'thirsty', but they are very easy to use and seem to work better (and easier) than straight lemon oil. They are not 'too wet' because the point is to use them when the fretboard is in need of quenching - not every week or even every month (depending on your climate however). The string wipes are OK but I don't use them personally. I'd rather just change my strings then try to prolong their life. Overall, I'm very glad the wonder wipes are out!! I rest assured the products I use on my EBs are made BY EB FOR EB INSTRUMENTS. No worrying if there is anything in the wipe that should not be on a guitar... very cool.

 

[Lord Toneking]

Lord tone king - you're entitled to your opinion sir, now let me tell you why you're wrong!

When I was a teenager I had a part time job working in a guitar store, I then took a full time job in a guitar store when I left school - it was my child-hood dream - (I then realised the money sucked and moved to IT....) anyway

Every saturday (and then every day ) you have to clean the guitars in the store, now if back in those days such a thing as the wonde wipes range existed life would have been SO MUCH EASIER..... as you had to use furniture polish for the body, fast fret or generic lemon oil for the neck and sometimes a dinner knife to clean the crap off the strings. - and my personal favourite magic marker to fill in the dings and meths to get the real heavy crap off.

almost 15 years later Brian (and everybody else) have a sensible idea to put out Wonder wipes, simple, resealable , disposable -So clever yet so simple it should have won America's next inventor.

I will personally argue with ANYONE who says they are crap - If you don't think they're good take the fiary challenge - clean 10 guitars with 'Cleaning products misc.' and 10 with wonder wipes...... no contest. and you won't go home smelling like a bee took a dump on your clothes.

Some of you will be asking why ol' smelly is so pissed at this thread, I guess it's my scarred youth coming back to haunt me, but these things are just so clever and on such a subtle level it angers me when people don't appreciate them, because brand x does something for 'em.... look beyond the shiny bottle and use the stuff.

Rant over.

Wow...you should be a salesman

Why would you get pissed because I did'nt find the wonder wipes to be like the best thing since sliced bread? I never said that they were crap now did I?? I just stated that I prefer Murphy's and lem oil. Mind you that I work in the construction field, so my fingers get a litlle more dirty than your average pencil pusher. My neck gets stained very badly and after over 24yrs of playing and cleaning guitars I know what I like to use...I tried the wipes and all I know is that I won't be buying them anymore, is that ok with you? I love EB guitars and that's all I play...no disrespect to the Company, but the wipes are just not my cup of tea

rant over

 

[floyd99]

I recently got my sil set up by my luthier and asked him about caring for the neck, as this is the first raw neck guitar i've owned. The guy I use is one of the most respected and well known luthiers in the state and nationally.

he said there's no easy way to get rid of the dirt once it's on there (apart from the methods mentioned such as 0000 wool etc), and the trick is to stop the dirt getting there in the first place.

that's what the wax is for. He said to get a tin of wax (in our case he uses the Warwick bees wax, made for basses - the birchwood stuff isn't availabe here) and every few months wipe a small amount on, let it dry then wipe off. He said the point to that is wax stops the nasty oils and dirt from your fingers from getting into the wood in the first place.

so my thought is to use the wonder wipe conditioners each string change, and wax periodically. (just need to find where to buy some!!!!)

He's been doing it for 20 years and his father before him started as a proper violin luthier.. so I kinda trust what they have to say.

 

[DaPatrooch]

Yeah, I'm not too impressed with them either. I got the Instrument Polish for my Strat, and I saw little difference. Though my Strat has a Satin finish, so that may be one reason, and I got them because I wanted to clean my Strat, and maybe they're not intended for that.

So if I'm using them wrong somebody tell me.