How much can you polish a Warwick's brass frets?

quadrogong · #1 09-30-2009, 03:06 PM

Can you really buff them out to a chrome-like finish?
..so that they really shine like gold.. ?
they're kind of oxidated and matte looking now,
I was thinking that they'd look great really buffed out,I've got side LED's too,and they'll pick up the reflection onstage..

I figure a smoother finish will only give me a slinkier feel,if anything
but they'll need maintaining,since the strings themselves will scratch 'em.

Cover the pickups and use steel wool?
I guess finish it off with a polishing cloth?
if so, what types do I buy for a full out chrome finish?

ByF · #2 09-30-2009, 10:14 PM

I think brass is always going to oxidize. To keep it shining like gold, you'd have to polish it every day. I learned that in the US Navy.

If I were you, I'd learn to love it with a "patina."

Ed

quadrogong · #3 09-30-2009, 11:09 PM

u r right,or during string changes will have to suffice

ga_edwards · #4 10-01-2009, 02:46 AM

I've only every done mine a few times in about 7 years of owner ship. Once a year or so I'll give my basses a good 'de-gunk'.

Tape over the pickups as you already know. Rub a healthy amount of fretboard cleaner (Kaisers Lem-Oil works well) into the board and dry off. This should loosen up the finger poo gunk in the wood grain and next to the frets. Scrape off the fret gunk with a credit card, or if you're very careful, a fine blade.

Tape over the fretboard itself using low tack masking tape leaving the frets exposed. (Must be low tack to prevent pulling out bits of wood). I use duraglit wadding type metal polish to go over the frets, but if they are particularly scratched, use some very fine steel wool first. Wipe off the excess polish and buff to shine. Then carefully remove the tape. As the Lem-Oil softened the gunk in the wood the tape should pull most of it out of the grain.

Then you just need to feed the wood with some Lemon Oil (not Lem-Oil), or Linseed or whatever you normally use.

Other than that, for eveyday, I can only suggest regularly wiping the strings and neck down after playing everyday with something like 'The Swipe'. This cleans behind the strings and the tops of the frets as well as the front surface of the strings.