Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hello all, I'm a new member to the forums but have been a long time reader. But today I have a few questions regarding fretboard cleaning. I have owned a 2013 Rickenbacker 4003 Fireglo for almost a year now and I have noticed the fretboard has become a bit gunky with fingerprints and other stuff. I had read on here that a certain product known as Kyser Dr. String fellows Lem-Oil does a supposedly good job at cleaning but I have a few questions regarding this product:

1. Is the Keyser product for untreated fretboards or can I use it on my 2013 4003 with no damage to the urethane coating or fretboard itself? Does it also work well for cleaning in any case?


2. What kind of cloth should I use or any other tips or guides for applying this or cleaning the fretboard in general . I have never attempted this kind of guitar maintenance so I would really appreciate a detailed walkthrough to make sure I don't mess anything up.

Thank you!

-Dom

Clean the fingerboard just like you would the body and neck/headstock as it has the same finish on it. Products such as various "oils" for unfinished fingerboards are not needed for a 4003.

This is good. Moistened a little with warm water and soap.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microfiber
By the way, automotive wax with carnauba makes the Ric really shine. There are several brands. I have old style Simoniz wax.

Okabass wrote:This is good. Moistened a little with warm water and soap.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microfiber
By the way, automotive wax with carnauba makes the Ric really shine. There are several brands. I have old style Simoniz wax.

So just clean with a microfiber cloth and that's it? So no need for the Keyser product then?

No oil. The neck is sealed with gloss.

Dominator wrote:

Okabass wrote:This is good. Moistened a little with warm water and soap.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microfiber
By the way, automotive wax with carnauba makes the Ric really shine. There are several brands. I have old style Simoniz wax.

So just clean with a microfiber cloth and that's it? So no need for the Keyser product then?

I clean my Ric as I wrote. MF cloth and occasionally wax. You can use an old credit card or similar to scrape a very dirty FB.
Laquer doesn't need any oil or similar products. Oil is good for bare wood.
If you wipe the the strings and FB after you have played, it doesn't get very dirty. Plus your strings last longer.

if you want to shine the fretboard up use Zymol original. i use it to deep clean my rics and works a treat just use a small dab at a time.

geofio wrote:if you want to shine the fretboard up use Zymol original. i use it to deep clean my rics and works a treat just use a small dab at a time.

I think we don't have the Zymol here in Finland. Carnauba wax products seems to make also a really shiny bass. They use it with vintage cars.

Ps. Now I get: it is really Zymöl, a german product. Very respected (vintage) car care products.

You can goto the Rickenbacker website and download the instructions/manual if you like.

I got my zymol from ebay.

Hey thanks for the replies everyone , but now i have a new dillemma. On the finish of of the fretboard by the 7th fret of the D and G string side, there appears some foggy smudge. At first I though it was only a fingerprint but it did not go away when i wiped with a microfiber cloth. Does anyone know what this hazy "smudge" could be and how to fix it?

Dominator wrote:hazy "smudge"

I had hazy smudge invade my '08 4004Cii MG, all over the glossy parts. Betting it's the same as your smudge. I don't know what it is or what caused it. After more than five trouble free years, it just took over.

I had been cleaning the bass with Megiuars guitar polish, but not very often. The smudge just stayed there. Eventually I tried Dunlop Formula No. 65 Guitar Polish & Cleaner, and that took care of it with ease. The smudge has not dared to return. The bass looks and feels great.

You might give the Dunlop a try.


Good luck,
bluewhale