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Posts: 325
Location: Utica, NY | What are the options for proper cleaning and care of the lightly textured tops on the 1680? I assume that you wouldn't use guitar polishes as on wood topped and finished models because there's no level of shine to aspire to. Any special cleaners or precautions?
What about a non gloss finished walnut neck? Lemon oil?
Also, do you lemon oil ebony fretboards, bridges and tuner buttons or not? I always have but have read around her ethat some folks might not like it so I am wondering why? If not lemon oil then what is preferred?
Thanks. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Dust the top with a dry rag.
Don't use lemon oil. Lemon contains citric acid and long term use dries out the wood. Use mineral oil. |
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Posts: 3969
| Originally posted by Gallerinski:
Don't use lemon oil. Lemon contains citric acid and long term use dries out the wood. Use mineral oil. Mineral oil is fine, but the notion that "lemon oil" contains citric acid is incorrect. It's a matter of freshman chemistry - citric acid is a hydroxy tribasic polar compound, meaning it is insoluble in oil. In pure form it's a white odorless crystalline powder - note odorless: the "citrus" smell is due to volatile organic (non-polar) carbon ring compounds that are soluble in lipids (oils) and give citrus its distinct aroma.
The problem with "lemon oils" is that most such sold as furniture polishes contain only a very small amount of pure lemon oil mixed in a soup of petroleum distillates. It's those volatile petroleum solvents that can dry out wood by dissolving the natural waxes in the wood and then evaporating rapidly, taking those waxes with them.
Pure lemon oil - which can be had at health food and vitamin stores - contains saturated fats (waxes) that melt at relatively low temperature, so they can make your fretboard feel "sticky" with heavy playing. The soft waxes also trap dirt and dust and contribute to the "grunginess" on well-used, rarely cleaned fretboards.
Mineral oil is good for conditioning. I've had very good results with Fret Doctor . A tiny amount goes a long way and it doesn't leave any residue. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | That's what I meant to say ... |
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Location: Brighty in Blighty | The 1680 neck is not exactly non glossed, that sounds like it's a natural finish which it doesn't seem to be.
I would use polish on the neck though not had need to yet ;)
I use mineral oil (thanks to kind OFCer) on neck/bridge
When I need to clean the top it will be with a SLIGHTLY damp soft cloth |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Nice job, Serge. I hope someday someone asks a question in a topic I know something about. I'm not holding my breath. |
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| Originally posted by Mark in Boise:
I hope someday someone asks a question in a topic I know something about. But can we afford your hourly rate? ;) |
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Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | mineral oil for the fret board
Formby's Lemon oil for all other wood
damp cloth for top
If the hardware is not corroded nor smoke coated, the Formby is great; just buff off excess oil. Otherwise I use Cape Cod metal polish to remove any more resistant contamination. |
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Location: Brighty in Blighty | My 1680 is kinda my 'Sunday Best'. It comes out only rarely, typically on Sundays, as a special treat. I wipe it down with a clean, soft, dry microfibre non lint cloth after use and stick it back in it's case.
I'd be curious to know exactly what the finish is on the 1680 neck and how they did it. It's sort of like they impregnated the walnut (yes folks a walnut neck, ebony fingerboard) with a hardish polymer or some such. Dunno what it is but its very tactile and feels like it will last forever. |
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Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Originally posted by dweezil:
My 1680 is kinda my 'Sunday Best'. It comes out only rarely, typically on Sundays, as a special treat. What`s yer Monday guitar then .. ? |
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Location: Brighty in Blighty | That honour is shared between the 06c and 07c currently. They get played every day. |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Originally posted by G8r:
Originally posted by Mark in Boise:
I hope someday someone asks a question in a topic I know something about. But can we afford your hourly rate? ;) |
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Location: Utica, NY | What about the walnut epi's? |
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Location: Brighty in Blighty | Walnut oil.
Walnut cream.
Walnut walnuts.
Nah seriously though - how dirty are the epi's that they need cleaning/treating?
If I had to clean mine I would use 'standard' guitar polish.
BTW if you want to clean the strap buttons I would use Jimbonbo's Slack Grinch Solution. |
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Location: Utica, NY | [/QB] BTW if you want to clean the strap buttons I would use Jimbonbo's Slack Grinch Solution. [/QB]
I have gold Schaller straplock buttons and all I can find is the Slack Grinch Solution version for the chrome Dunlop's so those will have to wait until the next go round. Jimbonbo's makes great products though. Thanks for the tip.
I am off to squeeze my walnuts.... |
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Location: Bluffton, SC | (That's a Utica thing for the uninitiated...and ONLY Utica...) |
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Location: closely held secret | Maybe what's in Utica should stay in Utica... |
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Location: Utica, NY | Originally posted by The Wabbit Formerly Known As Waskel:
Maybe what's in Utica should stay in Utica... Wha! You all have dirty minds.... Where else would one get walnut oil as suggested unless one was to squeeze some walnuts? My mind and epi's are CLEAN! |
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Location: closely held secret | That explains where they get baby oil and tongue oil... |
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Location: Utica, NY | Originally posted by The Wabbit Formerly Known As Waskel:
That explains where they get baby oil and tongue oil... Exactly. One must squeeze many tungs to get somewhere... |
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Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by nervous:
What about the walnut epi's? Formby's Lemon oil
"Tongue oil"... Isn't that what our moms used to use to tame our cowlicks, remove our facial smudges and numerous other applications?  |
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1680 Top Care