Carbony Fingers?

[KevinH]

After having my Emerald for a couple days now, with a string change between, I've noticed my fretting fingers have black stuff on the tips. Given that this doesn't happen on my fingerpicking hand, and I've used these strings many times before without this happening, I'm assuming its from the carbon fretboard.

Any Emerald owners noticed this on a new one? Are you supposed to wipe the fretboard with something on arrival? Or do I just have to accept that my fingers will look like big fat pencils?

This is after playing for an hour:

carbonfingers.jpg

[Frettingflyer]

I don’t remember that on my Emerald, but I did have that on one of mine, maybe even the McPherson? Wiped it off and all good, FWIW

[KevinH]

Originally Posted by Frettingflyer

I don’t remember that on my Emerald, but I did have that on one of mine, maybe even the McPherson? Wiped it off and all good, FWIW

Thanks. Did you wipe it with methyl alcohol or something similar?

[David Eastwood]

I’ve never seen that with any of mine. I wonder if it’s polishing residue?

I’d drop Emerald a line with that photo - I’m sure they’ll be able to tell what it is and how to clean it off. You’re not going to hurt anything if you try a damp cloth first.

I’d still tell them, even if you do manage to clean it up. It really shouldn’t be like that.

[KevinH]

Thanks, good to know. Yeah, probably some kind of polishing residue. I wonder if they normally coat the fretboard with something but maybe missed that step. I already emailed Emerald, but prob won't hear back until Monday. I'll let you know what they say in case anyone else runs into this. A minor annoyance, but kind of messes up the strings,

Originally Posted by David Eastwood

I’ve never seen that with any of mine. I wonder if it’s polishing residue?

I’d drop Emerald a line with that photo - I’m sure they’ll be able to tell what it is and how to clean it off. You’re not going to hurt anything if you try a damp cloth first.

I’d still tell them, even if you do manage to clean it up. It really shouldn’t be like that.

[steelvibe]

Polishing compound will do that. I've polished my guitar when changing strings and the residue on my fingers does not react well with the strings when I begin to play again (turning my fingers very black).

In fact I used this brand new polish once while putting on Ernie Ball Aluminum Bronze strings. My fingers looked like I had cleaned out my fireplace. I LOVED the way those strings sounded on my guitar but blamed them for the soot, then depriving myself from the great tone they give my OF660. I've since learned it wasn't the strings at all.

I have to make sure that my hands are nice and clean before playing. I bet that is what it is and you will see it suddenly disappear. Congrats on your new Emerald by the way

[stokes1971]

Certain bronze strings causes that.

[KevinH]

Originally Posted by steelvibe

Polishing compound will do that. I've polished my guitar when changing strings and the residue on my fingers does not react well with the strings when I begin to play again (turning my fingers very black).

In fact I used this brand new polish once while putting on Ernie Ball Aluminum Bronze strings. My fingers looked like I had cleaned out my fireplace. I LOVED the way those strings sounded on my guitar but blamed them for the soot, then depriving myself from the great tone they give my OF660. I've since learned it wasn't the strings at all.

I have to make sure that my hands are nice and clean before playing. I bet that is what it is and you will see it suddenly disappear. Congrats on your new Emerald by the way

Thanks. Yeah, I'm thinking of cleaning it with some isopropyl. We used to use that at work to clean CF specimens before bonding something to them.

Originally Posted by stokes1971

Certain bronze strings causes that.

That was my initial thought when it happened with the D'Addarios that were on it originally. But it also happened with the Elixrs which I've been using for years.

I tried wiping the fretboard with a Kleenex and it picked up black stuff. So I'm sure its the fretboard.

[Frettingflyer]

I think I just used a damp cloth and then dried it. FWIW

[SpruceTop]

This has never happened to me with any guitar or types of string formulations.

[PassingThru]

I had the same question on my new X7. Here's Emerald's reply.

Hi Bob

So glad it arrived safe and sound with you.

The black residue on your fingers is more than likely the finishing polish compound used on the finger board.

It will disappear over time

Best wishes for you and your new guitar

Davy

[KevinH]

Originally Posted by PassingThru

...The black residue on your fingers is more than likely the finishing polish compound used on the finger board.

It will disappear over time
...

Good to know. Thanks.

[DethWshBkr]

Just didn't quite get cleaned enough after final polish.
Rub it down good and clean that stuff off

[KevinH]

Thanks all. Yes, it did appear to be polish residue. I took the strings off and spent 20 min cleaning the fretboard with isopropyl alcohol until the black was gone. Now a happy camper.

[BillCoplin]

Try Bar Keepers Friend…On your fingers; Not the Guitar!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JGH35XZ...AV4QS37W0MPHZW