Guitar maintenance question...

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

I'd appreciate a quick word of advice here....

I suddenly find I have to use an old Martin that's sat in my closet for a while (!!!) now. I'll be putting new strings on, of course, but I see that there's a sort of residue either side of the frets. It's all quite normal, and probably just old perspiration and dirt (sorry if this is getting too disgusting!), but I'm wondering what sort of cleaning method I should use. The frets feel fairly sticky, too, so a general clean-up is badly needed. Is there a case for oiling the rosewood fretboard?

I'd forgotten how terrific this guitar is! It's a 1947 000-18 that's as light as a feather and with perfect tonal balance. It's far from loud, but it's a finger-picker's delight. Thanks for any tips you may have - rehearsals start tomorrow!

RR

Rick Batey · Posted 5 Mar 2007 8:32 am

Try superfine 0000-grade steel wool, and wipe gently, parallel to the frets. You could scrape off the worst with an old credit card or similar beforehand. Fingerboards don't actually need oil, but a tiny wipe of lemon oil makes them look nice. Lovely guitar, by the way, the 000-18's always been a favourite of mine.

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

Thanks, Rick. I'll get some of that steel wool right away.

Lemon oil - that's what was lurking in my memory! Do you know where I'd get some? I remember having a Tele worked on some forty years ago, and I'll never forget the lemony smell when I got it back. The rosewood neck felt lovely....

RR

Mike Winter · From: Portland, OR

Roger -- this site has some good information:

http://www.fretnotguitarrepair.com/cleaning.htm

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

Go and stand in the corner, Jim...

Evil or Very Mad

Thanks, Mike - that site confirms Rick's advice. I'm at a loss to acknowledge Jim's 'help'....

RR

Doug Earnest · From: Branson, MO USA

Lemon oil has been available at a lot of major retailers such as WalMart, Lowes, maybe even the grocery stores,in the furniture polish section. I have had very good luck with lemon Pledge also, seems to have quite a bit of lemon oil in it.
Wish I had a OOO18 in MY closet!!!!!!

Rick Batey · Posted 5 Mar 2007 9:37 am

Steer clear of the Pledge when it comes to guitars, Doug, it's stuffed with silicone.

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

Thanks, Doug.

I'm off to Lowes for some of that fine steel wool and - hopefully - some lemon oil.

When I get back home I'll dig out the other treasure - a 1927 0-18 - and give it the same treatment. (Sorry, Doug - I couldn't resist....)

RR
Yes, Rick - I had a dim memory of the need to avoid aerosol sprays for some reason.

David Mason · From: Cambridge, MD, USA

Elderly sells this lovely stuff called "Howard Feed 'n' Wax" that's a combination of orange oil and beeswax that I've been using a long time - it doesn't look like it's exclusively a guitar product, so you might find it in a decent hardware store. (They restore a LOT of old guitars....)
http://elderly.com/accessories/items/GRP16.htm

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

Roger, check the music stores for the lemon oil. Last I bought was some Dunlop from the local Sam Ash in Tampa.

It's made for guitars and may be better than some other's that are not specifically made for guitars.

Larry Clark · From: Herndon, VA.

Woodwind Bore oil works great. I've used it for 30+ years with excellent results. It's available at most music stores.

Bill Hatcher · From: Atlanta Ga. USA

Roger. The 0000 steel wool is just fine. Take the instrument out in the yard to do it. The steel wool will get all over your work area and into your elec. guitar pickups and cause static. Just hold the body in one hand and rub from the nut to the body.

In regards to the lemon oil, if the bottle say it contains "petroleum distillates"..don't even think about using it. There are all sorts of supposed lemon oil products out there that are crap on fingerboards. Most contain no lemon oil at all, just something that smells like it.

basilh · From: United Kingdom

This is what you want, and it's been discontinued so move quickly:-

Deluxe Care Pack
I use it on my D-41, Pats Taylor 814CE and both of the Hofner Jazzicas, as well as our collection of Takamines.
_________________

Steelies do it without fretting

CLICK THIS to view my tone bars and buyâ€”â€”>

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

Thanks for all the advice, guys....

I got lemon oil - good stuff, too. The '0000' steel wool came from Home Depot, and I found a set of Earthwood light gauge bronze (.012" to .052) sitting in my string drawer.

This is like suddenly receiving an unexpected inheritance!!! Half-an-hour's work and this old 000-18 positively sparkles now; it's a joy to play. To think I'd all but forgotten I had it.

All I need it for is to play 'Can't Help Lovin' That Man...' on stage in 'Show Boat' for the next seven weeks. The rest of the score needs electric or.........

b@njo.

Crying or Very sad

I do appreciate all your suggestions...

Best,

RR

Chip Fossa · From: Monson, MA, USA (deceased)

Roger,

I would periodically oil-up the fret board. Boiled linseed oil works very well for me. I use it on my acoustics, one being a Martin SPD-R16.

A lot of folks disagree about linseed oil, cuz if you're not careful and leave it on too long, can get sticky and unmanageable.

I rub it on with a very fine 100% cotton cloth. Let it sit for about 1-2 minutes. Then take another (dry) cloth and rub/wipe the oil into the fret board. Make sure it is completely wiped dry.

Repeat this process maybe 2 or 3 more times at this time. Do this procrdure as often as you think the fretboard needs it. More applications never seem to hurt. Or - every other string change, or at least once in 6 months.

After many applications of linseed oil, you will see a darkening and mellowing of where you have applied it. Some like this "plus" of linseed oil, and others do not. It's a personal thing.

I like it. Very Happy

_________________
Chip
Williams U-12 8X5; Keyless; Natural Blonde Laquer.

Alan Brookes · From: Brummy living in Southern California

Rick Johnson · From: Wheelwright, Ky USA

I agree with the light linseed oil treatment.
Remember the strings will pick up some of
the linseed oil too. I did this a while back
and had to change my strings again after
the treatment. I was carefull but once
my fingers started sweating they picked
up the oil and gunked up my strings.

Rick

www.rickjohnsoncabs.com

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

Thanks again, everyone.

I do like the idea of darkening the rosewood - next time I give this guitar a clean (and I'll never leave it so long again!) I'll try it.

Point taken about the effect of oil on cracks, but this 000 only has some hairline ones on the lower sides - I didn't go near them with the oil.

There have been two benefits from this exercise - one: I now know how the store repair guys get the older instruments to look so good hanging on the wall and, two: I've managed to 'confess' in public to taking a b@njo on-stage withOUT b0b reading it... Laughing

RR

David Mason · From: Cambridge, MD, USA

There are many repairmen who think that over-oiling a fretboard can cause the fret slots to loosen prematurely, so moderation is probably best. Good ebony barely absorbs oil at all, so it's mostly cosmetic - some rosewood sucks it right up, so I'd be careful with it. Pau Ferro is a newer wood being used for fingerboards on some guitars by Taylor, Fender, Gibson and others - I just built up a Warmoth guitar with this fingerboard, I really like it tonally but boy does it suck oil - moderation in all things etc.