[Chuck Bravo]

My buddy tells me he re-strings his axe one string at a time to keep tension on the neck.

I remove them all so I can properly clean the fretboard.

Who's right?

[MrSandMan]

Yo Chuck, How does your friend clean and lemon oil his fretboard?

Here is a vid of D'Addario demonstrating how to string a guitar and removes all.

http://www.youtube.com/v/1rhdxCECcl4&hl=en&fs=1

[Chuck Bravo]

Hey, thanks for the reply.
I'm going to try the double-back thing to lock the string down. Makes good sense, more so on the lighter gauge strings.

[indytruckboy]

If I don't clean the fretboard, as this doesn't have to be done every restring, I change three at a time. BUT, that is only with guitars that have TOM that don't lock. Just simply so I don't mess up my setup. I will remove them all if I have to clean the board though. If I remove them all, or really pretty much most of the time, once the strings are on and to pitch. I let the guitar sit for awhile and let the neck rest. Maybe a couple hours or overnight. Not really needed but just something I do.

[smorgdonkey]

You can do either. Tuning can be unstable for a while if you remove all strings but not days or anything. I do both depending upon the level of cleaning required.

[Redline68]

I do either. Usually one at a time, but I'll take them all off evert now and then to clean or do other work.

[stvnford]

Ok.... so I'm going to have the strings replaced at my local Mom & Pop shop. the guy I deal with is great and I'm sure he'll let me watch him.



First -- what's the best thing I can apply to my fret board to clean and condition it?

Second - What are some of the questions I should be asking while he does this?

Third - Which of these strings should I go wtih (I know this is a personal preference, but I need somewhere to start); -- Ernie Ball, D'Addario, Elixer, Dean Markley (Blue Steel)?

Thanks everyone....

[beartronical]

I would say d'addario all the way.
lemon oil is what i have used for a long time on all of my necks, (ebony and rosewood)
I guess maybe one thing you should ask is what gauge of string he is putting on there, that will be a preference thing for you, I personally prefer middle ground string thichkness because i detune a lot.

but certainly you should ask the tech what he thinks, if he is doing it for you.

[beartronical]

I would say d'addario all the way.
lemon oil is what i have used for a long time on all of my necks, (ebony and rosewood)
I guess maybe one thing you should ask is what gauge of string he is putting on there, that will be a preference thing for you, I personally prefer middle ground string thichkness because i detune a lot.

but certainly you should ask the tech what he thinks, if he is doing it for you.

[tradetang.long]

You can do either