Hey guys,
I recently bought a Gibson les paul Studio (amazing guitar might I add) and I was wondering how do you clean this baby?
I was thinking of picking up some body polish and fretboard/string cleaner but I was wondering is that safe to use? Any chemicals/compounds in the polish I should stay away from?
Also, how often should I polish the guitar? I’m guessing not after every use because that would probably wear out the clean finish.
Thanks alot!
Personally, I try to stay away from any kind of solvent unless I absolutely need to remove any sticky or gummy stuff.
Soap and warm water for everything, basically, and dry well afterwards. For the fretboard, conditioning it every now and then is a good idea… every few string changes (every 6 months or so, or when the fretboard starts feeling dry) clean the fretboard well with again some soap and water, dry well, then rub a small amount of oil into the wood. I personally have used olive oil, and I have never had a problem. Many people prefer to use lemon oil or some form of mineral oil, but I don’t like these options since both contain petroleum distallates, and I don’t want that stuff near my guitar. A lot of luthiers use almond oil, which can be expensive, but is totally worth it in my opinion.
I don’t think it matters how often you polish it. Whatever you feel comfortable with. Again, no abrasive chemicals, just a damp 100% cotton rag… they sell them at the music stores, or you can just use an old CLEAN white 100% cotton t-shirt like I do.
I don’t use string cleaner. Don’t see the point. I wipe off my strings when I remember after I play with aforementioned t-shirt. Single best things you can do for your strings, prolongs their life greatly. I also use something called GHS Fast fret, its a string lubricant that minimizes that squeaky finger-sliding sound, but also helps protect the strings from the oil and dirt on your finger tips. I put it on before and after I play.
When you change your strings, wipe off the hardware with aforementioned t-shirt (really handy, I’m telling you), that will help ward off rust and all that junk. Really gunky goo or whatnot can be removed with a razor (be careful!).
I have heard of people using some naptha (cleaner version of lighter fluid or start fluid) to clean the nasties, but that’s your personal call.
Honestly, I’ve even heard of people using motor oil on their fretboards. Crazy bastards! In theory it should work, but …. eeewww?
If you have any questions, call someone at a real music store, not Guitar Center/Sam Ash unless you know for certain that they know their isht. They tend to be minimum wage, minimally-trained, aping whatever other people have said, unfortunately.
Saul
November 28th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Personally, I try to stay away from any kind of solvent unless I absolutely need to remove any sticky or gummy stuff.
Soap and warm water for everything, basically, and dry well afterwards. For the fretboard, conditioning it every now and then is a good idea… every few string changes (every 6 months or so, or when the fretboard starts feeling dry) clean the fretboard well with again some soap and water, dry well, then rub a small amount of oil into the wood. I personally have used olive oil, and I have never had a problem. Many people prefer to use lemon oil or some form of mineral oil, but I don’t like these options since both contain petroleum distallates, and I don’t want that stuff near my guitar. A lot of luthiers use almond oil, which can be expensive, but is totally worth it in my opinion.
I don’t think it matters how often you polish it. Whatever you feel comfortable with. Again, no abrasive chemicals, just a damp 100% cotton rag… they sell them at the music stores, or you can just use an old CLEAN white 100% cotton t-shirt like I do.
I don’t use string cleaner. Don’t see the point. I wipe off my strings when I remember after I play with aforementioned t-shirt. Single best things you can do for your strings, prolongs their life greatly. I also use something called GHS Fast fret, its a string lubricant that minimizes that squeaky finger-sliding sound, but also helps protect the strings from the oil and dirt on your finger tips. I put it on before and after I play.
When you change your strings, wipe off the hardware with aforementioned t-shirt (really handy, I’m telling you), that will help ward off rust and all that junk. Really gunky goo or whatnot can be removed with a razor (be careful!).
I have heard of people using some naptha (cleaner version of lighter fluid or start fluid) to clean the nasties, but that’s your personal call.
Honestly, I’ve even heard of people using motor oil on their fretboards. Crazy bastards! In theory it should work, but …. eeewww?
If you have any questions, call someone at a real music store, not Guitar Center/Sam Ash unless you know for certain that they know their isht. They tend to be minimum wage, minimally-trained, aping whatever other people have said, unfortunately.
Saul
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