Cleaning Fender finished maple fretboard/neck

bobulibobium · #1 12-23-2009, 03:51 AM

Hi, i have a Fender amercian J bass with a solid piece of wood maple neck and fretboard , and id like to know what to clean it with in order to get back the smoothness the neck used to have when i first bought it.

As of late, the neck has begun to feel sticky and grimey, and my hand does not glide across the back of the neck like it used too. Also, the frets have begun build up grime next to fret wires, but i cleaned that off using a cloth.

Id like to know what i can use to clean my neck/fretboard without ruining the finish or the wood, and bring back that smooth feeling the neck used to have.

Thanks.

Johnny StingRay · #2 12-23-2009, 04:42 AM

This might sound really weird, but I use Pledge Multi-Surface spray on my bass. I used to use Martin Guitar Polish and Gibson Guitar Polish spray, but they always left a haze and streaks no matter how much you wiped it with at cloth.

The Pledge stuff is good for metal, wood, glass, and electronics. It cleans off really nice without streaking and it doesn't leave a haze.

On my StingRay, as you know the back of the neck does not have finish on it, it really cleans it up nice and the wood feels very smooth after using the Pledge.

It cleans the strings, the bridge, the tuners, the fretboard, the finish, everything and it stays shiny longer than with other guitar polish products.

I know this really sounds like a commercial, but I wouldn't use the Pledge if it would cause damage to my StingRay. I think it works great and I trust it on my bass.

sevenyearsdown · #3 12-23-2009, 05:05 AM

The maple neck/fingerboards on the MIA's is finished, so you can use any standard guitar polish/cleaner on it. I would just go light on the fingerboard side since it likely has more wear.

**Captain Bob** · #4 12-23-2009, 05:15 AM

One might try Meguairs #7 or #9. Apply small amounts, let dry and buff. Followed by an application of Ken Smith's Glas polish - also apply with soft cloth and buff when dry.
It'll be slicker than new.

sevenyearsdown · #5 12-23-2009, 05:20 AM

I would also recommend pcking up a couple of those nice microfiber towels from the auto section of any department store. The do a really nice job on polishing, with or without another product.

funkmangriff · #6 12-23-2009, 05:38 AM

clean? fender?

you gotta be kidding me!

slap some mud on it! get it real dirty and worn!

lint free cloth and polish as mentioned above i think would work well.