I just purchased an American Special Strat w/ a rosewood fretboard. Are string lubes such as Fingerease safe for long term use on on my strat's fretboard? Anyone experience any detrimental effects? What's Fender's opinion?
Also what brand of polish/cleaner for the body can you recommend?
Thanks.

Hi Billy. Welcome to your first post. 9 out of 10 times a commercial lube is going to be just fine for your instrument. If not, they'll be sued at some point. I've always used a bit of pure lemon oil once a year or so. I'm very careful to not overdue it. You don't want anything getting under the frets and lifting them by swelling the wood underneath. Follow the directions and use sparingly. Once in a while a new guitar will need to be lubed. They come a bit dry from the factory or from sitting in the warehouse sometimes. You'll know right away if the lube darkens the rosewood. That means it's dry and needs lube. Make sure and wipe it dry, or just follow the directions.

Most importantly, congratulations on your new instrument and post a few pics for us. We love pics!

_________________
-Kirk

GUITARS
'12 Sonoran Acoustic - black (dated 10/31/12)
'13 Standard Strat
AMP
Vox ac4c1-bl
PEDALS
Compressor
Big Muff
Vox Stomplab 1G
Carbon Copy Delay

I never saw or heard of a problem with Fingerease. Fretboard oil is another matter. Too much of that can swell the rosewood and lift the frets. I oil the rosewood on my AmStd strat about twice a year. (Wipe on; wipe off)

I never really understood the purpose of products like FingerEase. I mean it's not like some magic spray is going to lessen the tension on the strings. If ever there was a such thing as a disgronificator this is it.

_________________

Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.

I don't think the use of Fingerease would effect the fretboard - they HAVE to know sooner or later it will get on the wood...but I would avoid getting it on there 'alot' just in case.

I use a rag with a couple drops of Gibson String Lubricant on a corner and wipe the strings down that way - on new installs and once in awhile in use (to keep them from getting rusty to soon). But I try to be careful 'cause that stuff smells pretty strong so who knows what is in there. I wipe down other metal parts with it too, then wipe that off good too just in case!


Fender Spray and Wipe is pretty good for poly-coated Fenders.

Oh, string lube. Thought we were talking about fretboard oil. Serves me right for posting so early in the A.M.

_________________
-Kirk

GUITARS
'12 Sonoran Acoustic - black (dated 10/31/12)
'13 Standard Strat
AMP
Vox ac4c1-bl
PEDALS
Compressor
Big Muff
Vox Stomplab 1G
Carbon Copy Delay

I bought a can of Finger Ease over 20 yrs ago and it's still full as I didn't find a need for it as long as you keep your strings clean and wipe them after every use.I use Gibson fretboard oil about twice a year on my rosewood and ebony boards.

_________________
'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'd throw it out. Who knows how toxic it is by now.