Last we went over how to clean your fretboard, noting the importance of keeping the moisture level of its wood consistent.
When dealing with wood you have to remember that it’s a dynamic material. It can swell when the moisture level is too high, and it will shrink when the moisture level is too low.
When a fretboard shrinks, you run the risk of “fret sprouts.” Fret sprouts are when the fretboard shrinks, leaving the frets on your bass jutting out from the fretboard.
If when you run your hand down the sides of the neck you get jabbed by the frets, well you’ve got fret sprouts, my friend.
You have a couple options when it comes to fret sprouts. By either way, the first step is to reevaluate where you are keeping your bass. If your fretboard is shrinking, it’s too dry. Do your instrument a favor and move it to a more hospitable location.
Next, if it isn’t too bad, you might want to just wait and see if the fretboard rebounds to it’s regular size.
If your frets are still sticking you, you might have to break down and file down the frets.
Gerlitz Guitar Honey is a great oil to restore the proper moisture content of fretboards made of dark wood (rosewood, ebony, etc.). Take the strings off, put one or two drops of GGH around the sixth fret or so, spread it out evenly w/ fingers, repeat up the neck. It takes about 6-8 drops to do a long-scale fingerboard. Use an old sheet or towel under the bass to catch any oil drips. Allow the oil to soak in for a few minutes, then wipe off the excess. One treatment every two years seems to be about right.
today is the 1st time I picked up a gutair. I need some easy basic lessons to start with[]Dr T Reply:October 31st, 2010 at 10:02 pmThis is the place, especially the theory. Jonathan does an outstanding job of visually showing you the relationships.You DO need those concepts, whether you think you do or not.You CAN sail a ship without a compass, but you won’t get far![]Jonathan Reply:November 1st, 2010 at 7:53 amThanks Dr T that’s a great analogy![]
Hi Samuel Ok, I did a little rceearsh and it looks like both SheetMusicPlus.com and Amazon.com will both ship to Nigeria. It does make the book a little more expensive though. You may be able to keep up with it without paying international shipping prices. If you can find a guitar method book that takes you through the open position, one string at a time, and gives practice pieces along the way, you’ll be in good hands. As well, I’ll be creating similar content here on GNFBHQ. And since you asked, I’ll get to work on that soon. So be sure to bookmark and come back soon.
Mineral oil is great. IKEA do one for chopping boards. It lats and lasts. Lemon oil is not necessary
Lemon Oil.
Citric oil for furniture works well on rosewood. I’ve be using it for 15 years now and my precision fretboard goes well all along the year sleeping at our rehearsal room.
Fret Doctor (www.doctorsprod.com) fret board dressing is the best I’ve found. Penetrates better than mineral oil, lemon oil, etc. His website has some very insightful info and electron microscope pictures to prove his concept. Been using it for over a year, and my customers rave about it.
Every player should invest in a fret end finishing file for just such an occasion.
Planet Waves Hydrate Fingerboard Conditioner!
Ive been using this fret oil for 4 years now it cleans the fret and the wood well. Wood looks great after conditioning. made the mistake of using it on a hand painted acoustic fretboard, It started removing the paint so i know it cleans well. Hence do not use on painted Fretboard.
MOP inlays clean up nicely.
watco danish oil is excellent for fretboards. inexpensive and available at home depot etc. i’ve been using it on my builds since 1989