What do you clean your necks with??

[gtwannabe]

I really hate to play with a dirty feeling neck/fretboard/strings, so as the title implies, I would really be interested in hearing what others clean their necks with. I've recently tried using a little Pledge with a nice, clean cloth. Any other good ideas out there?

 

[bob-i]

Pledge works well on painted surfaces like the back of the neck and body and fretboard when it lacquered.

For the fingerboard with no finish, I clean with naphtha getting all the grime out, then wipe it down with common lemon oil. Yes, I know it's just mineral oil with lemon scent, but I like the smell of mineral oil.

 

[lostinthefog]

If you've got some time on your hands, Dr. Duck's Axe Wax cleans everything nicely. It just takes forever to "rub in(?)", so it's not an everyday-after-you-play type of thing.

 

[Smgbad]

Soap, Water, and a Loofa.

Oh.... now that I read the actual post. Dr. Ducks for long-term care-free maintainance. However, Lostinthefog is right about it taking a LOOONG time and a lot of work to get it worked in good.

 

[Pietro]

I have been using Fret Doctor for years on the fingerboards, just once or twice a year, and it is magical. I only use a microfiber cloth and me breathing condensation onto the instrument a bit every now and then in terms of cleaning other surfaces. My guitars continue to look brand new.

 

[moozak]

i change my strings frequently and wipe down the back of the neck with a very soft cloth occasionally... that's it for me.

 

[daacrusher2001]

gorgomite

 

[rummy]

Virtuoso polish.

 

[Rupe]

I use gorgomite to clean unfinished fretboards and Fret Dr to condition them when needed. For any finished surfaces, I typically use some sort of spray polish although I prefer Martin's product. I find Pledge leaves a buildup over time...I won't let the stuff near my guitars.

 

[RCM78]

Unfinished necks I use 0000 steel wool. Leaves the back super smooth and cleans the frets up nice.

Finished necks I use Dunlop cleaner...

 

[58Super]

Unfinished fret boards:0000 steel wool and either lighter fluid or lemon oil (not both togther)

Finished fret boards: Lighter fluid and a soft cloth or gentlly scrapped with an old plastic credit card for really dirty necks.

The backs of finished necks and fretboards canbe cleaned with a good wax polish like Zymol (mmm... coconut).

 

[Jedi]

i change my strings frequently and wipe down the back of the neck with a very soft cloth occasionally... that's it for me.

+1

 

[monty]

I just use a rag, after every use.

 

[Funkwire]

I use Gorgomyte on every string change. When I'm playing live, after every set I use the String Cleaner...it goes over and under the strings and has microfiber cloth to clean the strings. I also wash my hands every time before I play. I keep a clean bar towel on hand to wipe down the back of the neck.

 

[Whats4dessert]

When I go to clean it I use Old English lemon oil liquid....and you'll always see a microfiber polishing cloth (from Stew-mac no less) on top of my amp; I probably wipe down the neck at least twice a set.

 

[Den]

I've been using Gibson Luthier's Choice Fretboard Conditioner for many years. A few drops on the fretboard lightly scrubbing around the frets with a soft toothbrush and then simply wipe it down. Takes only a few minutes and necks stay looking like new doing this with every string change.

 

[semi-hollowbody]

blood, sweat, and tears...

 

[gtwannabe]

Wow, thanks for all of the constructive responses. Lots of really good tips that I'm going to try.

 

[Charlie_Pace]

I don't think I've ever cleaned my neck. Is the benefit more for a shiny neck or for smoother playing?

 

[Dr. Jimmy]

When I'm playing live, after every set I use the String Cleaner....

Same here, I spray some Dr. Stringfellows cleaner on it first, then run it up and down the neck a few times....