Fretboard conditioning

jazzboi · #1 01-17-2008, 08:16 AM

Hi everyone,

Is it necessary to condition the fretboard regularly? One of my basses have lost a lot of sustain... compared to what it was when I bought it. Can it be caused by the fretboard? It's a year old instrument,and it haven't been cared. (no polish,or fretboard cleaner,just a wipe..sometimes.

) So should I look for some fretboard conditioner to get back my sustain,or what should I do?

Matt_W · #2 01-17-2008, 08:37 AM

I assume you have replaced the strings since you got the bass?

I condition my fretboard whenever my strings come off, I don't think it improves the sound so much as it just keeps the fretboard less grimy and therefore transfers less much to my strings.

jazzboi · #3 01-17-2008, 09:23 AM

umm.... yep I replaced the strings since the purchase.

I've replaced it last week too,and it sounds weak to me compared to what it was like at the day of purchase...

so thats why i'm sad about the tone... and it wasn't a cheap crappy bass... it was an American made Deluxe jazz bass by Fender... Maybe the batteries,or amp caused the sound deficit? hmm... later I'm trying to figure it out... but first of all I clean this bass to make her happy and calm down her soul!

perucci · #4 01-17-2008, 09:46 AM

I've heard mention of fretboards drying-out; that's personally my only concern.

lhoward · #5 01-17-2008, 09:49 AM

If you've replaced the strings, loosen the strings and try re-tightening the screws holding the neck on if its a bolt-on. Also, try re-tightening the bridge screws. Don't over-do it and take a chance on striping the threading in the wood by using too much torque. Just use enough to take the slack out if there is any. Loosening the strings will make re-tightening easier on the threads by not having to fight the string tension if there is any slack. Screws have a tendency to loosen over time.

There are a lot of cleaning brands out there. For the past few years, I've been using Gerlitz Guitar Honey. See http://www.gerlitzusa.com for a description of the Guitar Honey and their other products.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt_W

I assume you have replaced the strings since you got the bass?

I condition my fretboard whenever my strings come off, I don't think it improves the sound so much as it just keeps the fretboard less grimy and therefore transfers less much to my strings.

+1

Lloyd Howard

neurotictim · #6 01-17-2008, 09:51 AM

I spent almost 3 hours last night changing strings/cleaning my Alembic. I recently bought it used from a guy locally, and I guess he didn't really bother to wipe if down after long plays, and there were salt buildups on the frets - an hour with a toothbrush, and some commercial wood cleaner + lemon oil did wonders.

I don't know that it helped it sound better - the thing sounded great when I bought it, and I just changed the strings last night, so I have to attribute any changes to that, but it certainly help restore the fretboard. I can't remember the name of the stuff I used, but when I get home I'll post before and after pics and what it was.

Stuggi · #7 01-17-2008, 09:52 AM

What strings did you string it with? If you used thinner strings than what the bass came with they could vibrate in the nutslot, which would transfer string energy away from the proper parts of the strings.

Could you also take a picture of the upper part of your neck, so that one can see the whole peghead...

jazzboi · #8 01-17-2008, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuggi

What strings did you string it with? If you used thinner strings than what the bass came with they could vibrate in the nutslot, which would transfer string energy away from the proper parts of the strings.

Could you also take a picture of the upper part of your neck, so that one can see the whole peghead...

I've stringed it with DR Low Riders a .045-.125 set I think. and it comes with a .045 set too,but the E&B strings are Taperwounds and thicker than mine . The E is .110 on the stock bass, and now it's .105 the B string is .130 on the stock and now it's .125 (does these little differences count so much? And the "taperwound" thing counts,because now it's roundwound?) and here's the picture with the peghead. sorry for the quality I've made this pick with a phone...

MonetBass · #9 01-17-2008, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzboi

Maybe the batteries,or amp caused the sound deficit?

Nailed it right there. If you haven't replaced the battery yet, do so promptly. My guess is that'll solve your problem.

Stuggi · #10 01-17-2008, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzboi

I've stringed it with DR Low Riders a .045-.125 set I think. and it comes with a .045 set too,but the E&B strings are Taperwounds and thicker than mine . The E is .110 on the stock bass, and now it's .105 the B string is .130 on the stock and now it's .125 (does these little differences count so much? And the "taperwound" thing counts,because now it's roundwound?) and here's the picture with the peghead. sorry for the quality I've made this pick with a phone...

Well, I thought you might have an issue with too low string brake angle over the nut, but since you have retainers that's probably not the case. The dimension change is probably too low to cause any problems, but you might try slipping some paper in between the nut and the string, and change the battery!