jes lads, relax. Its just a plastic scouring pad, not an angle grinder or anything!

Got some 000 grade steel wool and that got rid of any scuffs left by the scouring pad. Fretboard now looks and feels awesome.

Toothbrush at the ready for next years clean already.

I use a linseed based furniture oil from a local supermarket and a toothbrush with medium bristles. I find the cleaning products in music retailers over-priced, and not that different from products you may find elsewhere. When I was an apprentice in a violin shop, alot of products used were from supplier stores.

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The only thing I use on my Rosewood boards is a polishing cloth dabbed in a touch of warm water and then a bit of elbow grease. It should only be damp enough that from what ever end you start from it should just about be dry at the top. Then a dry part of the cloth and more elbow grease. Every 4 months a shot of lemon oil or Fret Doctor and your good to go. I clean my neck every string change so there should never be a big buildup of anything.

Murphy's is great for unfinished maple necks like on a Wolfgang or EBMM EVH.

Just out of curiosity, what possessed you to use an outright metal cleaning pad in the first place?

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You dig?

You should use 0000 grade steel wool, not 000. Also, you don't need any type of oil treatment. After you use the steel wool (DRY), and dust off the residue with a soft brush, then wipe with a dry 100% cotton cloth, you can go over the neck with a damp 100% cotton cloth and just let the moisture soak into the fretboard (just damp, not soak-en wet). That will replenish the moisture that your fretboard needs without impregnating it with oils. Oils will eventually repel water and prevent your fretboard from being able to absorb the water that it needs to stay humidified. Oils will also cause your fretboard to build up dirt faster.

Just my opinion.

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American Standard Stratocaster

While reading this thread, I noticed that my American Std had a glossy neck which I hadn't thought much about. The spec sheet for comparing the American Std to the American Special and Standard indicates that only the American Standard has a "Gloss Front/Satin Back". I wonder how that will effect neck cleaning with lemon oil etc. Any ideas?

To clean the maple neck, you just need a damp 100% cotton cloth. I just use an old t-shirt. I wipe the whole guitar down with a damp one then a dry one.

The way they make finishes now a days, you don't need all those fancy cleaners and waxes. Just a damp cotton cloth to get the dirt off followed by a dry one to polish.

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American Standard Stratocaster