Stingray Necks

Baker69 · #1 03-30-2008, 04:12 PM

Can anyone advise on what is the best thing to clean a Stingray Neck?

The necks are stated as having an 'oil finish' so can you use fingerboard oil or do you have to use something like gun stock oil. How about beeswax polish?

Any ideas?

Al Heeley · #2 03-30-2008, 04:43 PM

You don't want to use fingerboard oil to clean a neck, it's not a cleaner, it's a conditioner.
Gun stock oil (Tru-Oil) is not a cleaner, it's really a varnish/sealer.
Beeswax polish is...you guessed it...not a cleaner, but a wax polish.
Waddaya want to do? Wipe off the grime, blood and sweat after a gig? Or is there stuff thats got into the wood that you want to get out?
For (a) use a soft dry clean absorbant rag.
For (b) you may have to very lightly sand off the oil finish, get to the fresh wood then retreat.
No offence but judging by your question I don't think you will want to be sanding down your neck to clean it.

Slater · #3 03-30-2008, 05:00 PM

Well, I'm sure the people at EBMM would say...

...Wonder wipes:

https://store.ernieball.com/index/574.0.16140.0.0.0.0

Al Heeley · #4 03-30-2008, 05:02 PM

Save your $12, go here, have fun:
http://babyparenting.about.com/cs/di...g/ht/wipes.htm

Baker69 · #5 03-31-2008, 03:25 AM

I read somewhere that you have to periodically clean the neck (with gun stock oil or similar substance) to stop the oils in the neck from drying out and subsequently the wood cracking.

The neck isn't dirty but I do like to keep my basses clean and I don't think a wipe down of the neck with a wet cloth is what Ernie Ball intended.

Any commercial wipes (even baby wipes) are going to be impregnated with chemicals of some description and I don't think you should use just anything on these oil finish necks without first considering what you are using. You may be actually extracting the oils from the wood!

I might try contacting Ernie Ball to see what they recommend?

BobKos · #6 04-09-2008, 07:53 PM

I just picked up a used EBMM Stingray. The neck is not finished except for the headstock. I thought the seller had sanded the finish off the neck, but I am reading that these came without a protective clear coat? The neck I have is a dirty mess and I would be interested in more info on the care & feeding of this neck. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Bass Below · #7 04-09-2008, 10:04 PM

The necks are finished, but like some have already said, they're finished with a gunstock oil. Re-applying gunstock oil won't necessarily clean the gunk off, do that with a damp rag, THEN re-apply some gunstock oil to keep it protected and feeling silky smooth. Dirt that's already in the wood itself probably isn't coming out without some sanding. I'd remove as much surface dirt as possible and then re-coat it.

Head over to the Ernie Ball forums, I remember there being a lot of good info and recommendations of products for caring for the neck. May have even been a sticky.

Baker69 · #8 04-23-2008, 03:04 PM

Well, I invested in some Gunstock oil as suggested and the job is all done now. The neck wasn't really dirty but I gave it a wipe over anyway.

I've done the whole of the neck, fingerboard, headstock, the lot and it looks and feels really good!

Thanks for your help guys.

shuttle · #9 04-30-2008, 01:04 PM

I just use regular lemon oil for furniture. A nice lintfree cloth wipes up the surface dirt & reoils the neck at the same time.
When I feel it's clean enough I just wipe off the excess.
Feels SOOO nice!

Baker69 · #10 05-01-2008, 02:22 AM

I bet it smells nice as well!

ergodynebass · #11 05-01-2008, 06:20 AM

I actually emailed EB about cleaning my fretboard (it's maple) because it was dirty looking, they suprisingly didn't say wonder wipes and I have those anyways and use them regularly. They suggested Murphys oil soap which can be found in any grocery store or Walmart. I haven't got a chance to try it yet but I figure I'd tell you what they said.

jasper383 · #12 05-01-2008, 06:31 AM

Yes, Murphy's Oil Soap to clean. Let it dry really well, then the Gunstock Oil.

I have also on occasion used something called Feed n' Wax instead of the oil. Quicker, and seems to do the same thing. Smells like orange, too.

Baker69 · #13 05-01-2008, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasper383

Yes, Murphy's Oil Soap to clean. Let it dry really well, then the Gunstock Oil.

I don't think we have Murphy's Oil Soap over here in the UK, does anyone know any alternative products?

I've used Gunstock Oil on the Maple fingerboard on my SR5 and it's really good.

Gasman · #14 05-01-2008, 07:09 AM

According to their website, use lemon oil. Only use Murphy's Oil soap if it's very dirty.

http://www.ernieball.com/faq_content...ode=mm_guitars