Sterling..Dirty looking maple fretboard

[gimmeagig]

Hi.
I bought a used Sterling Sub 5. The maple fretboard looks really dirty, but I think it is just the way the finish looks. I cleaned it but it still looks dirty. Is there any way to get it a little brighter looking?

 

[Ghastly]

Photos?

 

[ctmullins]

Is it finished from the factory?

My only maple-fretboard bass had no finish on it, and got gross looking with use. I scrubbed off the grime with steel wool, then put a couple coats of Formby’s Tung Oil on it. That worked pretty well. Now I only play dark-wood fretboards. But they still get a coat or two of finish on them, either the Formby’s or StewMac fingerboard oil.

 

[logdrum]

I've never seen a gigging tele with maple board that doesn't have that grime. I only have bass with maple and it is lacquered but I think I'll eventually wear off that as well and I am not going to worry about it.

 

[micguy]

Ugly happens on maple boards. Leo moved to rosewood for precisely this reason - the looks, not the tone.

 

[selowitch]

Would a rag moistened with naphtha (lighter fluid) take off some of that grime?

 

[hooky_marr]

Hi.
I bought a used Sterling Sub 5. The maple fretboard looks really dirty, but I think it is just the way the finish looks. I cleaned it but it still looks dirty. Is there any way to get it a little brighter looking?

Is it a USA (EBMM) Sterling? If so, those are finished with Tru-Oil and polished with beeswax. It’s quite possible that over time the finish starts to absorb oils and grime (or the finish may soften up).

I wouldn’t apply any harsh solvents; rather, use sandpaper (increasing finer grit) to remove the old fingerboard finish, down to the wood; then reapply thin coats of Tru-Oil (allowing drying time between coats), sanding back every other layer or so; then once that’s all dried, apply pure beeswax with a soft cloth to seal it. I have found 8-10 coats of Tru-Oil works well, but you can use more if you prefer.

 

[moon-bass]

Is it a USA (EBMM) Sterling? If so, those are finished with Tru-Oil and polished with beeswax. It’s quite possible that over time the finish starts to absorb oils and grime (or the finish may soften up).

I wouldn’t apply any harsh solvents; rather, use sandpaper (increasing finer grit) to remove the old fingerboard finish, down to the wood; then reapply thin coats of Tru-Oil (allowing drying time between coats), sanding back every other layer or so; then apply pure beeswax with a soft cloth. I have found 8-10 coats of Tru-Oil works well, but you can use more if you prefer.

I think the Subs are USA made, and this is great advice. I just did some of the same maintenance on my USA Sterling

 

[Blue Swede]

Hi.
I bought a used Sterling Sub 5. The maple fretboard looks really dirty, but I think it is just the way the finish looks. I cleaned it but it still looks dirty. Is there any way to get it a little brighter looking?

you could also look into GHS Gorgomyte, i have used it on my old (now sold) MM Stingray, it cleaned it well and didnt seem to have any negative impact on it. Its a bit pricey but its probably an easier fix than sanding your fretboard and reapplying oil for a new finish etc. Read up on it first to make sure it suits your needs though.

 

[hamertek98]

For unfinished wood...
Murphys oil soap - tru oil - wax. Use sparingly and wipe down between.
There's video on the EBMM site on how to do it.

 

[cholyoke]

The EBMM FAQ section has some information. Look at the section titled "How do I maintain the "unfinished" neck on my Ernie Ball Music Man guitar?" FAQ | Ernie Ball Music Man

It has a link to the video hamertek98 referenced.

This thread on the EB forums looks useful and page 2 has detailed instructions and pictures.

Cleaning dark stains from maple neck

 

[Gervais Cote]

I quite like the real road worn and/or finger worn maple fretboard so I wouldn’t touch it.

I know it’s ugly but it’s full of stories sometimes………

When I see a guitar player getting on the stage with an ugly and worn maple fretboard, I pay attention as this guy probably played a lot on this guitar so he should be very good and most of the time, that’s what I witness.

 

[2thAche]

Where are the dirty fingerboard pictures?

 

[backin82]

Hi.
I bought a used Sterling Sub 5. The maple fretboard looks really dirty, but I think it is just the way the finish looks. I cleaned it but it still looks dirty. Is there any way to get it a little brighter looking?

I tried a few cleaning methods on an EBMM a few years ago, and it always turned out looking gross. Its why I'll never own another maple fingerboard bass. It doesn't look cool. It just looks gross. Unless you think it looks cool, then it does...

 

[blr2]

Once the finish of the maple fretboard is worn off, all the dirt and grime just sinks in, stains the wood, and it's impossible to remove. Just wipe with a cotton rag moisten with a few drops of naphtha to remove the layered dirt on top. This is about as good as it gets.

 

[Gluvhand]

I think the Subs are USA made, and this is great advice. I just did some of the same maintenance on my USA Sterling

It wouldn't be a US SUB if it has a maple fretboard.

 

[moon-bass]

It wouldn't be a US SUB if it has a maple fretboard.

i think the US Subs had finished necks as well. They have very confusing naming standards ...

 

[Gluvhand]

They do. Painted black necks with rosewood fingerboards.

 

[HardNHeavy]

De-natured alcohol works too

 

[Jeff Scott]

Ugly happens on maple boards. Leo moved to rosewood for precisely this reason - the looks, not the tone.

This is not going to sit well with the tone-wood folks.