String/Bridge Problem and neck.

[Petty181]

Hey guys

First of all really sorry if this is in the wrong section but i couldn't see another section that i thought this could go into really and i'm new.

I own a JP7 Music man (amazing guitar) and i use D'addario strings (.10 - .59)

I seem to have this problem that has started to creep up worst than anything in the world.... actually while i'm here there's another problem but lets start with just the one.

Obviously with the JP7 they have locking machine heads (not sure if all EBMM guitars have this) but for some reason when i bend the .10 gauge E string it goes out of tune and then i have to re-tune.. if i bend the trem right down or right up (within reason) it doesn't do anything only on the 15th fret up i've now noticed this problem.
Fairly annoying when your a solo guitarist but luckily enough this has become more noticed over the Christmas period when gigs have stopped (but start again on the 14th) I change my strings around every month - 3 month periods depending on how they are, feel, play... i use GHS on them now anyway.
I've tried wounding the strings around the tuning pegs to give it more of a grip just incase this was a problem up top. But it doesn't seem to be that.....


Now the other problem which alot of experienced guitarists will cringe about (i've played for 8 years now and i don't class my self as experienced enough to have that title) One day i went into a shop and asked for cleaning stuff for my guitar baring in mind i have never used the stuff, owned a LP and it was fine, never had to be touched one bit, then owned a Ibanez SAR... nice guitar but... i felt like i should look after this considering it has sentimental value ontop of it's rrp value anyway!!! So this guy recommended me after asking which neck i have and i replied Rosewood GHS for the strings, Dr string fellow Lem - Oil for the neck and Dunlop No.65 Guitar polish and cleaner for the body and the back of the neck. So i did what he said, applied the Lem - Oil to the neck for 5 minutes and removed it... but it also said if the surface remains dull there is a wax build up. Reapply and let stand for 20 minutes before wiping dry.

Okay so stupidly i sprayed 'directly' onto the neck, left it for about 10 minutes and wiped dry afterwards. I re strung my guitar and applied fast fret and then left it to stand anyway i play around anywhere from 8 - 14 hours of guitar a day.... I noticed the neck of the guitar getting more and more dirty... alot more than usual. I presumed it could of been 2 things... the GHS fast fret getting onto the fret board because that too doesn't really tell you how to apply apart from 'firmly' or it was the Lem - oil. So i shot to the internet to find out a few things which made my stomach sink further that the floor of my room.

1) To oil up the neck you don't really need to do only once a year or so.... and that Rosewood necks don't need oiling.
2) Spraying directly onto the neck and leaving for any prolonged amount of time can warp, damage the wood, damage the frets.....

Mmmmmm. So i stopped the Lem - oil and now it will never be used unless the wood is so dry i can see vapors out of the atmosphere being sucked into the wood. And for the GHS i now lightly press over the strings so non go over the fret board at all. And that seemed to have kinda... sorted my problem. It seems very dark still, and dirt isn't like dirt builds up (even tho i wash my hands... i just play alot of guitar) it's a wierd dirt... what can i do, what can i clean my neck with without these problems. I know the FAQ say's Ernie ball wipes will do the job, has anyone had experience with these wipes... i'm a bit sceptic about what to use or do now as this guitar means a 'shred' load haha :')

I thank anyone who has read this and is about to reply!

Steve

 

[phatduckk]

you should give customer support a call.
Its pretty hard to diagnose a guitar over the web - but the folks at customer support are pros, its their job and will be more than happy to help you.

Their contact info is: http://www.ernieball.com/contact_us (SLO office)

as far as cleaning your JP: here's a video of Drew, an engineer at EBMM, showing you what they recommend (he's actually demonstrating on a JP):
Caring for your Music Man neck & Fretboard - YouTube

 

[Petty181]

Thanks man, i did research over the web and people did have similar problems but no one really was talking sense... or atleast no one was too sure themselves and i don't wanna take that risk and plus they weren't the problems i had

But thanks a heap man!!!

 

[shredhed]

It sounds like the lemon oil is taking the oil and dirt out of your fingers, since it is a solvent

Another thing I've learned - moderation is a good thing. Never use too much oil or leave it on for too long

You may have noticed some brown stain getting on you fingers too. Rosewood necks are stained for uniformity so no worries there. Eventually that will go away

 

[straycat113]

As far as neck cleaning use EBMM Wipes when needed on maple necks, as far as a RW board once every 4 to 6 months is all that is needed.

 

[Spudmurphy]

It sounds like the lemon oil is taking the oil and dirt out of your fingers, since it is a solvent

Another thing I've learned - moderation is a good thing. Never use too much oil or leave it on for too long

You may have noticed some brown stain getting on you fingers too. Rosewood necks are stained for uniformity so no worries there. Eventually that will go away

+1 don't go over the top on applying any unguents to the neck. Just do it in moderation as shredhed says.
A friend of mine who does refrets said that when he reftrets a rosewood board he applies a lot of lemon oil and lets it sit - this helps preventing tearout when the frets are removed. Sometimes too much oil seeping under the fret can cause it to lift. Moral of the story - "Don't use too much!!"
One thing I like to use is Johnsons Baby oil on rosewood fretboards - it's not as thin as other stuff it is thicker and is less susceptible to seep under frets. It does a great job.

I buy microfibre cloths from automotive shops - £1 for three and I really use these with a lot of elbow grease to buff the neck up and remove any residue.