Cleaning Fretboard and Tuning ?s

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Harry

Posts: 390
Joined: Jun. 24 2010
From: Montreal, Canada

Cleaning Fretboard and Tuning ?s

I have questions that have been on my mind and despite some searches on the forum my mind is still not at ease.

There is a bit of gunk under my frets and on the fretboard, and I am wondering what is the best way to clean this without any damage.

Secondly, is it normal for some strings, especially the G to be out of tune when using a capo on an otherwise in tune guitar?

Thanks much folks!

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"I'm just a poor crazy man in love with his art." Santos Hernandez

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 30 2011 15:44:28

Pgh_flamenco

Posts: 1506
Joined: Dec. 5 2007
From: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

RE: Two Questions (in reply to Harry)

quote:

There is a bit of gunk under my frets and on the fretboard, and I am wondering what is the best way to clean this without any damage.

I would carefully use a razor blade to lightly scrape the gunk off the fb. I've done this on a number of Rosewood fb's and it works well. I doubt you'll be able to get near this gunk with steel wool and I wouldn't recommend sanding across the grain.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 30 2011 16:00:35

turnermoran

Posts: 391
Joined: Feb. 6 2010

RE: Two Questions (in reply to Harry)

my understanding is that normal protocol to clean fretboards is to use 0000 grade steel wool to clean the fretboard and give a quick shine to the frets as well. typically this is used in conjunction with the smallest drop of lemon oil.

though i'm sure there are luthiers and repair men here on the Foro who can give a definitive answer. you might want to retitle your post to draw their attention.

i've had the same problem w/ the capo. you tune the guitar up, then put the capo on and you have to retune a bit. i think this is normal. depends on the capo too

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 30 2011 17:31:19

Richard Jernigan

Posts: 3433
Joined: Jan. 20 2004
From: Austin, Texas USA

RE: Two Questions (in reply to Harry)

Capos de-tune for me, and for a number of pros I have seen. After putting on the capo you will see them tugging on the string between the capo and bridge to flatten, or pressing on the string between the nut and peg/tuner to sharpen.

RNJ

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 30 2011 18:25:34

El Kiko

Posts: 2697
Joined: Jun. 7 2010
From: The South Ireland

RE: Two Questions (in reply to Harry)

yeah the gunk is dirt and oil from your fingers that makes dust stick, I clean it off when I change the strings with a wet wipe and polish up the whole guitar and start again, if this is correct or not I dont know but I been doing it for long enough with no adverse effects.
I dont fancy using a razor blade and definately not steel wool or anything abrasive.
yes capos can and will detune your guitar, depending on a few things and does your bridge have a compensated G string bit?

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 30 2011 18:41:22

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: Two Questions (in reply to Harry)

I remove gunk with a cabinet scraber. I could use a razor blade as well. Its just easyer with the scraber.
After that I use fine steel wool.
If you use it before, you just fill the steel wool with gunk. Not very nice

My guitars also detune when using capos.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 30 2011 21:06:42

gbv1158

Posts: 410
Joined: May 29 2009
From: Italy

RE: Two Questions (in reply to Harry)

strings little bit out of tune are absolutely normal after using a capo

ciao
Giambattista

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 30 2011 21:43:01

Harry

Posts: 390
Joined: Jun. 24 2010
From: Montreal, Canada

RE: Cleaning Fretboard and Tuning ?s (in reply to Harry)

Thanks everyone!

I will try out the suggestions very carefully. I must say I usually don't remove all 6 strings when I change strings, but that would explain this build up on the fretboard I suppose.

It's time for spring cleaning.

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"I'm just a poor crazy man in love with his art." Santos Hernandez

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 1 2011 20:21:30

estebanana

Posts: 9373
Joined: Oct. 16 2009

RE: Cleaning Fretboard and Tuning ?s (in reply to Harry)

If you wipe the sweat off the strings and board with soft cloth every time after you play it keeps the board cleaner over time.

I call it 'finger chutney', but it's not delicious.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 1 2011 20:40:23

at_leo_87

Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A

RE: Cleaning Fretboard and Tuning ?s (in reply to Harry)

using a damp toothbrush has worked for me.

i personally think finger chutney looks kind of cool in a gross way. looks like you play the instrument a lot.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 2 2011 4:06:29