Guitar maintenance

[UnderTheStars]

I'm getting back to playing guitar after a long break. They need some TLC - new strings, a good cleaning. Any recommendations for cleaning? I use Gibson polish + cloth. (Les Paul standard).

Should condition the fretboards (Martin / Fender strat/ Gibson).. I read that teak oil is good for rosewood.. Any tips?

New to me is stringing an electric guitar. I read about 'top wrapping'. Insert the string from the opposite end than normal, and wrap over the tailpiece - supposedly results in more play on the strings, which would be good. My fingers are killing me.

http://www.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Gear---Tech/en-us/There-s-More-Than-One-Way-To-String-An-Axe.aspx

Also, if anyone has experience with restringing / cleaning/ conditioning a mandolin, I need to do that too. It's very old.

[Talon]

Conditioning a rosewood fretboard.

[UnderTheStars]

Conditioning a rosewood fretboard.

Thanks Talon. An abrasive polishing cloth seems like a better idea that steel wool. That guy got a piece of steel wool in his finger - I'd be worried about getting it in the pickups and stuff.

I'm hesitant to remove all the strings at once like the guy in that video, especially on the Gibson. They recommend removing maximum of 2-3 strings at once so as to not screw up the settings and neck tension.

[Talon]

I agree about the steel wool. I've been watching other videos that recommend against it just for the reasons you mentioned. I've never heard to not remove all the strings.

Thanks Talon. An abrasive polishing cloth seems like a better idea that steel wool. That guy got a piece of steel wool in his finger - I'd be worried about getting it in the pickups and stuff.

I'm hesitant to remove all the strings at once like the guy in that video, especially on the Gibson. They recommend removing maximum of 2-3 strings at once so as to not screw up the settings and neck tension.

[UnderTheStars]

I agree about the steel wool. I've been watching other videos that recommend against it just for the reasons you mentioned. I've never heard to not remove all the strings.

I've always been told to not remove all the strings at once. But there's tons of people who do. Who knows, maybe it's fine. But I'd rather play it safe. I'll try 2 at a time to clean and restring.

[dudeman]

I've always used lemon oil on the fretboard. Also I tape the fretboard off with masking tape and use 0000 steel wool to polish the frets. Too bad you're not closer, I'd set your guitars up for you. You can take all the strings off at once but loosen the tension equally. A little off all the strings at a time.

[UnderTheStars]

I've always used lemon oil on the fretboard. Also I tape the fretboard off with masking tape and use 0000 steel wool to polish the frets. Too bad you're not closer, I'd set your guitars up for you. You can take all the strings off at once but loosen the tension equally. A little off all the strings at a time.

I wish I was closer too, dudeman! I have a lot of them to work on - they've been neglected for a while. Life.

OK, that makes sense, reducing a bit of tension on all strings equally. Any sudden changes (tension on the neck, temperature, etc) are not good, so easing up a little at once could counter that. I think I'll still be conservative though