How do you clean maple bound fretboard?

JSMidd · #1 08-19-2003, 05:04 PM

My 814-ltd has flamed maple binding on the body, neck, and headstock (it's pretty).

How do I clean the maple on the top of the fretboard? It's turning a blackish color with all of my playing, and the lemon oil won't clean, neither will Murphy's Wood Soap. Any ideas or experiences?

Thanks.

Jeff M · #2 08-19-2003, 05:09 PM

From Frank Ford's "Frets.com" site. About half way down the page are Franks recc. for fret board cleaning. (Binding won't make a difference). I don't know how to lighten up hte maple binding however if it is an intrinsic color change due to light exposure/aging, or the oils from your skin have changed the color.
Head over to the Acoustic Guitar Forum and ask there. Lots of techs/luthiers there.

http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Musi...leaning02.html

JSMidd · #3 08-19-2003, 05:13 PM

Thanks Jeff, I'm following his instructions right now.

Sam

Jeff M · #4 08-19-2003, 05:23 PM

Let us know how it come out.

JSMidd · #5 08-20-2003, 10:40 AM

AARRRRGGGGGHHHHH! It won't come off. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. the rest fo my fretboard, though, looks reaaallllly nice....

The maple on the top of of the fretboard looks like it's not finished at all, and I'm wondering if it is just not going to get clean.

Camalex · #6 08-20-2003, 10:48 AM

That's at least what I was told when I first looked at that binding. It is unfinished wood and could not be finished as it rested against the unfinished ebony fretboard. OIls will soak in and you won't be able to stop it unless you finish it with something -- very carefully to avoid finish on the fretboard. That's a big cosmetic flaw in the guitar. IMHO.

JSMidd · #7 08-20-2003, 11:21 AM

Just to clarify, the majority of the maple binding is finished, and it is beautiful... but, there is one part on that touches the ebony on the "top" of the fretboard.

It's only the part that's visible in this picture of it when it was new.

Maybe it's just not coming clean. However, I wouldn't trade my maple binding for anything else - I love it.

Stixx · #8 08-20-2003, 11:41 AM

Once the discoloration is deep into the unfinished maple the blackish grey stain is permanent short of sanding down and sealing it with lasquer. This is common on guitars with inadequate finish and or sealant on them . Necks like my strats have a sealed finish that keeps it from penetrating the wood and discolor it . After a refret and planing job you have to reseal them again or you will have the dreaded blackish stain. Peavey Wolfgangs are terrible about this as are old Musicman and strats with dull or no finish on the fretboards. This is why a lot of luthiers will not use maple on the fretboards or binding where your hand will be constantly wearing on the binding .

It sure does look good but like a lot of things that look good it has an impractical side to it .

Sorry , I know that is not what your wanted to hear but its just the way it is. You can always bleach the wood out and seal it with a lasquer or rub on varnish but if you like the unfinished neck feel you will just have to live with the invariable stain that will follow .

Later

JSMidd · #9 08-20-2003, 12:34 PM

Thanks, Stixx.

tbondo · #10 08-20-2003, 01:42 PM

notice the same condition on my 714-CE-LTD...decided to live with it, maybe it'll look like the fretboard after awhile.....it's just a little gray at this point