fretboard wear

[focusguy]

on the first few frets it looks as the strings have wore down to the bare wood. or i guess it could be a shitload of grunge cause it was dirty as hell but ive cleaned the frets twice and still nothing. so im thinking it just bare wood but ill take pics/look better later after i get through redoing our bathroom. just figured id get a headstart with you guys if it was the problem tho

[mmmtacos]

Are you saying that the finish has worn through? That does happen. If you want to get the discoloration off there you can use some lemon oil, and also XXXX steel wool will smooth it out.

Some pics would help tho

[_xxx_]

You mean 0000 steel wool I guess?

[focusguy]

yes the finish wore through. i used gibson fretboard cleaner and it takes off some brown stuff everytime i clean those areas. so just get straight lemon oil and put on there, then use steel wool?

ill post pics in a hour or two we're just finishing up tile work as we speak

thanks

[kb7010]

sounds like you are in the same boat I WAS in..

you might need a replacement neck..???

pics will tell all though..

[focusguy]

again my camera sucks up close.



i just thought it was really dirty but the spots never go away

[focusguy]

not really deep grooves but slightly grooves

[mmmtacos]

Edit : oooo would be correct sir

I was thinking you had a maple fretboard. I don't know how rosewood boards are finished. I have had rosewood boards that looked raw and rough, and then I've had some that look like they had finish applied.

Maybe someone more knowledgeable can chime in

[focusguy]

i hope somebody will. i dont have any idea what to do about besides just play it like that

[kb7010]

i hope somebody will. i dont have any idea what to do about besides just play it like that

what I did with mine for the longest time...

[KramerBassFan]

Most Rosewood fretboards ARENT finished.... some of them are, but most are not.. Same with Ebony...

A replacement neck for that? Surely not...?

[amerturk]

Actually, it just appears you have gone thru the gunk, not finish.

Get something like Dr. Ducks axe wax and 000 or 0000 steel wool. Don't tape off the frets, put one (very important since that shit goes a very long way) drop of the wax oil on each fret and work it with the steel wool. Your final time going over the board should be in a circular motion. Wipe off all the old crap and you'll be amazed at the difference.

You can buy that stuff at Guitar Center for about 6 bucks.

To prove my point, your your finger nail across the fret. If you see a line, you have a large amount of built up funk. It will come off with the steel wool and it's not a difficult task...should take about 10 minutes max to fix.

[focusguy]

ive now cleaned the frets three times and thats a lot of times, trust me. i ran my fingernail across anyway but nothing. no line no funk. thats why im saying finish cause inbetween the spots its shiny, like a finish. idk its just really gettin on my nerves.

im going to give the dr ducks and steel wool a go though. we'll see how that one turns out.

[amerturk]

I'll bet you a starbucks coffee the steel wool works. When you just use a cloth for example, it will not take off the gunk when it's that deep....it just makes it shine better

[focusguy]

your on.
but wait i hate starbucks coffee. hell coffee in general. just dont drink it anymore.

i use a shitload of q-tips to clean the frets. no cloth involved

[moku]

"q-tips"?, man you need steel wool to scrub that s**t off

[Kostas Dee]

Pulp fiction is my fav movie too

[focusguy]

i was waiting for a reference to one of those movies back there.

going to get the dr ducks and wool today. should have pics later

[mmmtacos]

+300 on the OOOO Steel wool. Good stuff. It will smoot it out nice

[mmmtacos]

Slight hijack here - sorry

But on some of my rosewood boards they are nice and shiney, like it's finished ie: Deluxe Strats. On my son's VG Strat it doesn't have the sheen to it. Still a USA Strat (Standard) but a lower tier model

Are Deluxes (Strats) with rosewood boards finished or just buffed real good?

[KramerBassFan]

Like I said above me.... MOST Rosewood fretboards are not finished... but it is possible that some of them are nicer grades of rosewood, or your Sons Strat's Fretboard is dried out...

Most Rosewood isnt finished unless it is a Fretless Bass Neck.....

[amerturk]

Looking for an update...I'm itching for a coffee

[YachtRock]

Maybe try treating it with Fret Doctor once it's clean?

[kb7010]

Maybe try treating it with Fret Doctor once it's clean?

with what..??????

maybe

[focusguy]

haha no update. i went to town and no dr ducks at guitar center. i just plan out forgot about the steel wool damn friends of mine!!!

today however im on the hunt and wont let anything sidetrack me again. even though im supposed to go "hang" with some people again