Fingerboard care

[Pieter Gaskin]

I've had good luck in the past with an oil used on wooden clarinets.You can get it at any music store that stocks traditional wind instruments.It's cheap and easy to apply.I just run a small bead up the fingerboard,rub in with an old soft cloth and let it soak a bit before wiping it off with a clean towl.Don't use to much as you wouldn't want it to gunk up under the frets.It looks great.

[Bob Faulkner]

Originally Posted by Pieter Gaskin

Don't use to much as you wouldn't want it to gunk up under the frets.It looks great.

Fretless!

I use lem oil on the backs of my other necks. Guess I'll go home and slather some on my fingerboards!

Thanks for the response Ken. Your FAQ page states to use Smith Wax polish on the fingerboard but I was worried about getting a waxy buildup. Nice to know I can just use lem oil.

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Bob Faulkner

Fretless!

I use lem oil on the backs of my other necks. Guess I'll go home and slather some on my fingerboards!

Thanks for the response Ken. Your FAQ page states to use Smith Wax polish on the fingerboard but I was worried about getting a waxy buildup. Nice to know I can just use lem oil.

Bob, in your original post, you stated you used the Pro Formula on your fretboard. This is a big NO, NO!

On Ken's FAQ Page, you are correct, Ken does say to use the Smith Classic Wax Polish on fretboards. Big difference between the two polishes! The Smith Classic Wax is perfect for the hand rubbed finishes (like the 5GN's) and fretboards (you won't get a waxy build-up). The Pro Formula is to be used for lacquer finishes only.

When needed, I clean my fretboards and frets with 0000 steel wool followed by lemon oil and this works great. Just be sure to protect the P/U's when using the steel wool!

[Bob Faulkner]

I think you misunderstood me. I knew there was a difference between the 2 polishes. I didn't know if the wax polish would build up over time though. On my Smith I use the pro formula on the body and the back of the neck (someone tell me if using it on the back of a BSREG neck is bad!), and up to now on the fingerboard as well. On my other (cheaper) basses I've used lem oil on the backs of those necks. I was just stating that I'll now start using lem oil on the fingerboard of my Smith as well. I'm gonna go with Ken's suggestion of using the white scotch brite delicate surface pads to clean with.

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Bob Faulkner

I think you misunderstood me. I knew there was a difference between the 2 polishes. I didn't know if the wax polish would build up over time though. On my Smith I use the pro formula on the body and the back of the neck (someone tell me if using it on the back of a BSREG neck is bad!), and up to now on the fingerboard as well. On my other (cheaper) basses I've used lem oil on the backs of those necks. I was just stating that I'll now start using lem oil on the fingerboard of my Smith as well. I'm gonna go with Ken's suggestion of using the white scotch brite delicate surface pads to clean with.

Again, the Pro Formula is designed for lacguer finishes. EG Models have lacquer finishes (including the back of the neck), so, to answer your concern about using it on your EG......that is what Pro Formula is designed for. Just not on the fingerboard!