Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

For finished fretboards try a terry cloth towel like the ones used for drying automobiles or a small face towel and your hot breath. It's amazing how well this works but give it some elbow grease to clean and buff each section of the fretborad.

Good point, Larry. Hot breath. Especially post-curry. Hmm. Why not cut out the middleman and try the curry itself?

I'm serious, the fretboard looks like it has the same finish on it as the rest of the guitar. Most fretboards on my other guitars are ebony or rosewood and are dry woods for the most part. I have a special oil I use for them but didn't think I should use that oil on the Ric because I got some on my old Yamaha last month and it was hell getting it out of the finish. It looked like it hazed the glossy finish a bit. Would it do the same thing to the Ric's fretboard? I don't want to chance it, that's why I ask. This is my first Rickenbacker.

Yes, Frank--the Rick neck is also finished with conversion varnish. It's sort of a Rick characteristic.

Don;t know which Yamaha you were referring to, so I don't know what sort of finish the oil is attacking. Lemon oil will atack shellac and French polish if left for awhile. But conversion varnish is darned durable.

This particular issue has come up in three separate threads in the last few weeks, with the anticipated debate and divided opinions. I do use Dr. Stringfellow on my own guitars, including two new Ricks. Spritz a bit onto a rag and wipe it on over front and back of neck and strings, too. Then take a dry rag and buff it off. You want a dry film of whatever is left over to stay. DON'T overdo it; don't soak anything.

Adam, over to you.

Sorry--I said "neck" and that's true. But I meant "fingerboard is finished with conversion varnish also".