First of all: Hi everybody!

I own a black Fender Highway 1 HSS that I bought almost 2 years ago and I've been having some trouble with it. I'm still a "noob", especially setting up the guitar, so I've got a lot of questions... so I thought, who else can help me? You were the first thing that came to my head because most of you are experts in this subject.

1st question: I've never cleaned the fretboard (BTW, it's rosewood) or the frets in almost 2 years so... well, it's dirty XD. What should I use to clean the fretboard and the frets? Do I need two different products? And how should I clean it? By taking all of the strings off, I heard it could damage the neck but you're the experts.

2nd question: In order to tune the G and B strings it takes alot more turns of the tuners than with the other strings and I mean, if I start to turn the tuner the pitch doesn't change at all and then, comes to a point that the pitch of the string finally changes. It's really annoying... What Should I do to fix it?

3rd question: The guitar is set-up for 9's and I changed the strings to 10's without setting it up. Is there a problem? BTW, I left the guitar in the case without the high E string, does it damage the guitar or the neck?

4th question: What should I do to set up the action? Just change the height of the saddles?

5th and last question: When I bought the guitar, when I was playing, my hand went all the way up and down so the pick would touch the finish and leave scrathes. The finish is "Satin Nitrocellulose Lacquer Finish" and the scratches aren't deep so is there a way for me to get rid of them?

Thank you for your patience... I'm gonna love you forever if you reply back... heck, I'll marry you!

You can answer to just 1 question if you want... I'd really appreciate it if you could.

Well, I'm not too knowledgeable, but I know that best practice when changing strings is to do it three at a time(so you can clean the fretboard and frets at the same time).

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Thanks! What do you use to clean it?

Howdy!

I'd recommend cleaning your rosewood fretboard with Dunlop 65 Ultimate Lemon Oil.

You'll want to remove all the strings to give it a proper clean. BTW, I've never had a neck "go out" as a result of removing the strings.

Spray some oil on to a clean cloth, wipe the fretboard down and leave it to soak for a few minutes. Here's a pic of my CP60's strat having a bit of soak...



Make sure you only get oil on the board and avoid the nut and anything else! To remove heavy gunk from the board use an old toothbrush or an old credit card (or something similar). Once the board is free of any unwanted funky stuff you'll probably want to wipe it down again.

Once its all clean wipe off ALL the residual oil with a fresh clean cloth. Leave it for a few hours to dry out (you might want to give it one more wipe with a clean cloth) before re-stringing.

That's how pretty much how I do it.

Hope this helps

Andy

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Pending Greatness

The Highway 1 is a really really good instrument. You can choose to do the string changes and cleaning yourself, but I think you'd be much happier to take it to a pro, have him do it the first time and ask him what he's doing.

A good set up from a pro can cost anywhere from $35-70, and they will let you know if there is a problem with your tuners, and they will clean the fretboard if asked..(and probably will even if you didn't ask.)

They can also give you the best tips to maintain the intonation and keep it clean yourself.

Just my .02

Thanks alot!

Thanks for the tip.
I live in Portugal and I don't really know any pro... well, I suppose I could find one in a guitar store, right?
I'm probably doing it but, nonetheless I'd like to know these things myself before I go search for a pro.

No Probs!

As previously mentioned, if your don't have a spare guitar to practice set-ups and maintenance on I'd also recommend finding a good Tech or Luthier.

Cleaning the fretboard is something I reckon most guitar owners should be able to carry out without issue, but achieving a decent set-up that ensures sonic bliss is very hard to achieve without plenty of previous hands on experience. As an "amateur guitar mod man" a decent set-up is still something I have yet to full achieve on any of my 8 electric guitars!

Hope this helps

Andy

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Pending Greatness

Damn, 8?!! XD Never thought someone, besides collectors and rock "stars", could own more than 5 electric guitars! And I bet you still have some acoustic guitars.

Well, besides my Highway 1, I have only a Jaguar HH in sunburst. I love them both and fortunately the Jaguar, which I bought some months ago, didn't give me any problems, and is still mint. That's why I'm not too worried about my strat, but still, I don't play the Jaguar too much because I don't wanna ruin it. The strat is the guitar that's allways at hand, in case I want to play, while the Jag stays in a solid case.

Your questions are good ones. And they're the usual ones. Do a few Google searches and you will definitely come up with all your answers. Properly answering your questions on this forum is either going to require abbreviated responses, or many pages of information.

Google things like, stratocaster setup, etc.

The tuning issue you mentioned sounds very much like the nut on your guitar isn't cut for the strings you're using, and the strings are binding. You'll have trouble staying in tune, and getting back in tune until you address the nut.

Do a search for books about Strat setup....there are some very good ones. Then just check at the local library and get it for free. You will never regret building your knowledge of Strat setup. MOST of what you learn will apply to any electric guitar.

Thanks. I'll try and google it.

New Strings and also string your guitar in a string locking fashion if it doesn't have locking tuners (see pic below).



No leaving on string off for a while makes little difference on modern necks.
With the previous question you need to make sure your strings are not catching on the nut, string tree or saddles.



Yes at the same time you should check the relief and intonation as well.
Do some reading up on proper guitar setups.



Unless your playing changes you are just going to put more in so I wouldn't worry about it. Polishing a satin finish tends to make a gloss finish so if you do it that way you might have to do the whole guitar. You could spray over and let the new layer melt into the marks but its all fraught with complications. All a waste of time in my opinion.

Here is that pic.

Thank you so much!
I was worried I could be damaging the while leaving it with just 5 strings. I guess I'll leave the finish as it is.

There's a good article here on strat set up and there are some good how to videos online if you google "fender Stratocaster Setup:

http://www.fender.com/support/articles/ ... etup-guide

Anytime you change string gauges you should check the guitars' intonation to ensure that the higher registers are still properly in tune. It may require adjustment.

Also check the distance of the strings from the fretboard at the nut. Sometimes its necessary to file the nut to get the correct specs.

I would NOT recommend you do this however if you're not comfortable with it.

Clean the neck with lemon oil.

You should also lubricate any point where the string contacts the giutar when you put new strings on. I use 3 in 1 oil on the saddles, nut and string trees. I have NEVER broken a string on my Highway one.

As for the Nitro Finish I would just let it be.

Good Luck!

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