will string conditioner damage fretboard?
- Thread starter kokz
- Start date
Maple/rosewood?
I suggest using a cotton cloth, putting the string conditioner on a small area of the cloth and pick up individual strings using the moisten cloth.
This will prevent spillage to a certain degree. you can also slide in a cardboard backing from a stack of A4 sheets under the strings while you do it. This will make it idiot proof.
I suggest using a cotton cloth, putting the string conditioner on a small area of the cloth and pick up individual strings using the moisten cloth.
This will prevent spillage to a certain degree. you can also slide in a cardboard backing from a stack of A4 sheets under the strings while you do it. This will make it idiot proof.
Last edited:
trowaclown
Member
Errrr. I think it depends on whether your fretboard wood is sealed or unsealed. For my Squier Jazz with a maple fretboard, the maple is sealed with polyurethane (cos maple can get dirty green and what not easily) so when my Dunlop cleaner gets on it I just wipe it off.
For my Ibanez Gary Willis bass, the fretboard is ebony, which is unsealed, so when applying string conditioner I put an orange cloth underneath to absorb any spills. It's the type you use in Tekong to clean rifles.
Anyway, both basses above are fretless. I think fretted stuff you will wanna protect the frets as well right? Just keep a rag or a piece of paper underneath to protect your investment when cleaning your strings!
For my Ibanez Gary Willis bass, the fretboard is ebony, which is unsealed, so when applying string conditioner I put an orange cloth underneath to absorb any spills. It's the type you use in Tekong to clean rifles.
Anyway, both basses above are fretless. I think fretted stuff you will wanna protect the frets as well right? Just keep a rag or a piece of paper underneath to protect your investment when cleaning your strings!
mockingbird
New member
Wow. Using white mineral oil... :O
That's something new to me. Thanks.
That's something new to me. Thanks.
White mineral oil is basically what most fretboard conditioners are, except those have added stuff in them which may or may not be bad for the fretboard.
I know the dunlop lemon oil fretboard conditioner is mostly made up of white mineral oil + some other stuff. It isn't really lemon oil. Its a petroleum distillate, as is white mineral oil.
I'd rather use white mineral oil as it has no smell and no other added stuff ( solvents/cleaners) inside it.
I got a big bottle for RM6 at guardian plaza pelangi. You can get it from guardian SG for roughly 3 bucks.
I apply it with pieces of old cotton T shirts, cut into 3 inch squares.
Oiling a fretboard happens and should be done when the natural oil of rosewood evaporates, thus leaving the fretboard dry.
A dry fretboard is prone to cracking and you'd risk chipping it when having a re-fret. Oiling a fretboard basically replaces the natural oil lost in the board bringing it back to life.
Over time, the mineral oil gradually replaces the natural oils in the wood, you'd want pure mineral oil without solvents. If there are solvents, you run the risk of having them dissolve glue in the neck/frets.
A little oil goes a long way, I use 1 drop per 2-3 frets. I do it once or twice a year.
To clean fretboards, I use an old cotton bathing towel, cut into 5 inch squares and wipe between each frets. It removes most of the dirt without damaging anything.
For further cleaning, while oiling the board, I run down between each frets with the same 5 inch cotton towel to get excess oil out and to remove any gunk that manages to stay there.
The oil also helps keep frets from tarnishing. As with everything, find a method that works best for you. Have fun!
I know the dunlop lemon oil fretboard conditioner is mostly made up of white mineral oil + some other stuff. It isn't really lemon oil. Its a petroleum distillate, as is white mineral oil.
I'd rather use white mineral oil as it has no smell and no other added stuff ( solvents/cleaners) inside it.
I got a big bottle for RM6 at guardian plaza pelangi. You can get it from guardian SG for roughly 3 bucks.
I apply it with pieces of old cotton T shirts, cut into 3 inch squares.
Oiling a fretboard happens and should be done when the natural oil of rosewood evaporates, thus leaving the fretboard dry.
A dry fretboard is prone to cracking and you'd risk chipping it when having a re-fret. Oiling a fretboard basically replaces the natural oil lost in the board bringing it back to life.
Over time, the mineral oil gradually replaces the natural oils in the wood, you'd want pure mineral oil without solvents. If there are solvents, you run the risk of having them dissolve glue in the neck/frets.
A little oil goes a long way, I use 1 drop per 2-3 frets. I do it once or twice a year.
To clean fretboards, I use an old cotton bathing towel, cut into 5 inch squares and wipe between each frets. It removes most of the dirt without damaging anything.
For further cleaning, while oiling the board, I run down between each frets with the same 5 inch cotton towel to get excess oil out and to remove any gunk that manages to stay there.
The oil also helps keep frets from tarnishing. As with everything, find a method that works best for you. Have fun!
kokz
New member
Wow..learned some new stuff today...thanks! Will try white mineral oil once my string cleaner finishes!