Hi All,

In the last few months I got myself a Fender American Standard Strat, it has the sienna ash body and has a maple neck and fretboard.

I would like to really look after this baby, any tips on how I can keep in in excellent condition.

I wipe the guitar down after use each night. What products do you recommend to clean the body and the maple neck?

Do you guys use any fret board conditioners, or polish, etc, if so what would you recommend

Thanks

Clarky

G'day Clarky,

Mate I recommend just using your Fender Polish Cloth and some good ol elbow grease. I believe that is all that is required.

The time you start putting oils and polishes etc on that baby, that will ask for dust to start building up around parts of the Strat that don't need it.

I have a different Strat for every day of the week and I clean them only with the polish cloth provided.

Just my practise.

I wipe down the strings after use and that is it. I have a Hwy 1 and I'm going to let it age naturally.

_________________
Blues with a feeling.

GUILD GUITARS: MADE TO BE PLAYED!

A small drop of lemon oil works well for me.

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

If your guitar is new, then just do as suggested already. Keep it in the case when you are not using it. Wipe it down really well with a clean polish cloth. You can by Fender guitar polish that is mostly water with a small amount of cleaner and wax, and using it sparingly from time to time t cut finger prints, etc. And do not spray it on the bridge or strings, mostly on the wood areas of the body. I use polish very sparingly....And my guitars look....well, like new all the time....except my one player that I use and abuse!

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Xhefri's Guitars
www.xhefriguitars.com

Just do what you are doing, a good wipe down after playing with a cloth and string cleaning is all that is needed.

I found that the Fender care kit works just fine with it's cleaner, mist and polish. Works on all type of finishes, even Nitro. If you have a maple fretboard, wipe down with a clean cloth, using a Soft bristle toothbrush around the frets "dry" to remove gunk. If its a rosewood board you have, use a very small drop of lemon oil only when the board looks lighter in color, which means its dry. Make sure you wipe off any excess and do not get it on the finish, or you can use Guitar Honey instead of lemon oil. Lots of things made for boards, linseed oil and other products and conditioners. DO NOT USE ANTHING WITH SILICONE ON ANY GUITAR FINISH.

I don't. My 72 is pretty grimy. It's a players Strat and I gave up cleaning it up a long time ago. I don't recommend it though. I have to replace all my bridge saddles because all my screws and bridge saddles are all pitted and rusted in place. Stays in tune really well though. I'll probably fix it when it goes in for a refret.

Thanks to everyone who has responded so far. Based on that info I think I will just keep doing what I am doing and use the fender polish cloth to wipe it down after each use.

Thanks for your help everyone, much appreciated.

Clarky

Where the maple neck isn't porous like rosewood I don't use any oil whatsoever on any of my maple fretboards,when the fretboard gets either bit grimey I just use an approved guitar polish.As others have stated all that's really necessary is a daily wipe with a polish cloth and wipe down the strings.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

I just use a dry soft cloth to wipe down the strings and remove finger prints etc... from the body and neck/fretboard. An old cotton t-shirt works well and then blow any lint off. A little warm "breath" on any stubborn spots.

I had tried a cloth just dampened with Pledge when I first got the instrument but was warned against it since it contains silicon. I have since stopped using it and see no ill effects from the few times I did.

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You're only as strong as
the drinks you pour,
the tables you dance on,
and the friends you roll with.

Hi southernguitarist, nice to see you on the Fender Forum. Just a quick question. Why should a person NOT use a silicone based wax or cleaner on a guitar? I have heard this before but never had anyone explain why?

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Xhefri's Guitars
www.xhefriguitars.com

like everything else i own, my guitars stay covered in dust, fingerprints and sweat. my dogs are the main reason for the dust. they can't help that. lately i've been putting them all in the case after use. the strat stays out because i play it every day and usually i'm too tired, drunk or lazy to walk upstairs and put it away.
i'm glad you asked this question. i'm going to wipe mine down right now and start putting it away in the case when not in use.

I wipe mine down with a cloth after playing it. I rub down the fret board when I change strings (all my necks are rosewood) but only oil the fret board once in a blue moon.

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Steve

Like the man says - something nice to cut the fingerprints. I liked the McGuires Mist and Wipe from Fender when it was availale. It seems that this product is no longer available so I called "around" and learned that McGuires Inspector 37 (?) is the same thing with a different scent. I got a huge spray bottle shipped to me for $20 that should last a good 5 years on my 23 strats and teles.

BTW - Xhefri is one of the most knowledgable Fender Strat guys on this planet. He also holds a PHD in all matters regarding the Strat Plus, Plus Deluxe, Ultra, etc. etc. I wish he lived down the street from me!