It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 3:44 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 8 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: Cleaning & maintenance of maple fretboards?
Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2014 7:34 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sat Sep 20, 2014 7:08 pm
Posts: 21
Hey everybody,

I have a Tele with a maple fretboard, and I thought that while I have the strings off to put on a new set, I'd give this baby a good cleaning.

All my other Fenders have rosewood fretboards, and I use lemon oil on them to keep them nice. As lame as it sounds, I am not sure what to do with maple! This Tele is my first instrument with maple. So, I don't want to screw it up!

So far, I have just cleaned up the board and frets with a damp soft towel to get the grunge off. What should I do as a final step? What is good for maple? (besides maple syrup?- oh wait, that's pancakes)

Please advise, she feels naked without her strings. Especially her G String! :lol:
Got some nice slinkies for her to wear. 8)


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Cleaning & maintenance of maple fretboards?
Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2014 8:21 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2009 4:50 pm
Posts: 7998
Location: ʎɹʇunoɔ ǝsoɹ pןıʍ
Warm water and a toothbrush to get right up next to the bottom edge of the fret where crud accumulates. Add a very small amount of mild detergent if it feels particularly greasy. If you're going to use a detergent you might want to clean a second time with water to dissolve and rinse away any detergent left behind. Dry with a towel and restring.

_________________
Image
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.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Cleaning & maintenance of maple fretboards?
Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2014 10:36 am
Offline
Amateur
Amateur
User avatar

Joined: Sat Sep 22, 2012 2:43 pm
Posts: 173
Location: Brisbane, Australia.
I was curious about this myself until I recently asked my local guitar repairman. The most important thing he warned me not to do was use any wood or furniture cleaners like Mr Sheen or anything like that on a maple fretboard. Especially if the neck has a satin or gloss finish. I didn't ask what happens though if you do do it unfortunately. I'm not exactly eager to find out either! Obviously those chemical based cleaners react somehow with the gloss or satin finishes somehow though.
:mrgreen:

_________________
"A monkey dressed in silk is still a monkey no less" - Rodriguez


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Cleaning & maintenance of maple fretboards?
Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2014 10:50 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
Posts: 4241
For everyday cleaning, elbow greese and clean cotton rags will do. Microfiber is luxury :wink:

But when the guitar gets dirty:
If it's nitro, use any major brand guitar care products (could very well be Fender's own) that are marked "nitro safe".
Or choose the old school way, use Zippo fluid.
If it's poly or urethane, you can use almost anything, maybe excluding a flame thrower.

(BTW, on those "wood or furniture cleaners" to be avoided; some players have used Lemon Pledge by the gallons. Myself, I just can't stand that smell :oops: )


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Cleaning & maintenance of maple fretboards?
Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2014 8:46 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2012 7:29 am
Posts: 937
I have always used ghs fast Fret. It's a fibre stick that is damp with Fret cleaner you just rub it on the wipe off the excess. I've used this stuff on all my guitars, Electric, acoustic, maple, rosewood and it's great. Lasts absolutely ages. I've been playing for 15 years and I'm only on my second one.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Cleaning & maintenance of maple fretboards?
Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2014 10:36 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
Posts: 4241
Fast Fret is just mineral oil in an easy-to-use package.
Personally, I don't like oiled maple fretboards - the feel just seems wrong.
But: different probes for different folks. :wink:


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Cleaning & maintenance of maple fretboards?
Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2014 4:14 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Sun Sep 08, 2013 8:50 pm
Posts: 4602
Location: ˚ɷ˚
Maple: A damp rag for cleaning, then carnuba wax to make it slick, shiny and dirt resistant.
Rosewood: A rag moistened with mineral oil for cleaning, rubbing with the grain. Never soap or wax.
And dental floss for when you want to clean your nuts.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Cleaning & maintenance of maple fretboards?
Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2014 4:31 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sat Sep 20, 2014 7:08 pm
Posts: 21
arth1 wrote:
Maple: A damp rag for cleaning, then carnuba wax to make it slick, shiny and dirt resistant.
Rosewood: A rag moistened with mineral oil for cleaning, rubbing with the grain. Never soap or wax.
And dental floss for when you want to clean your nuts.


Wouldn't that hurt? :lol:


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 8 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Dickey clapton and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: