Guitar Cleaning Myths

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The Snark tuner I'm using in this video
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Radius Gauge with slots
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Fret Rocker
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Precision Notched Straightedge
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Пікірлер: 927

  • @PhillipMcKnight
    @PhillipMcKnight4 жыл бұрын

    A big thank you to everyone who sent in questions. These are tough ones, so I decided to answer them with my exsperance. If you have had different results please feel free to put it in the comments.

  • @robertpurdy4452

    @robertpurdy4452

    4 жыл бұрын

    Merry Christmas! Thank you for all you do.

  • @anthonydesiderio2801

    @anthonydesiderio2801

    4 жыл бұрын

    Hi im building a SG diy with 3 pick ups. Can you help me with what. Pick ups to use. Thank you

  • @berkbuyankara777

    @berkbuyankara777

    4 жыл бұрын

    hey thanks for very informative video! i got one more tho is it safe clean unfinished fretboard with ethyl alcohol ? Happy christmas

  • @marcelotheeyeman

    @marcelotheeyeman

    4 жыл бұрын

    Merry Christmas and please check this out Phil !! 🤣 you're gonna love it kzread.info/dash/bejne/eoaBr5iNZ5Wbhdo.html

  • @PhillipMcKnight

    @PhillipMcKnight

    4 жыл бұрын

    Merry Christmas

  • @BW-dv5cd
    @BW-dv5cd4 жыл бұрын

    Mmmmm olive oil and garlic. I use it to clean my pastacaster

  • @fritsvanzanten3573

    @fritsvanzanten3573

    4 жыл бұрын

    Pestocaster, I'd say ;-)

  • @Carbon2861996

    @Carbon2861996

    4 жыл бұрын

    Stratopastar

  • @PulledPurk

    @PulledPurk

    4 жыл бұрын

    Want a guitar made of garlic bread with spergetty strings

  • @ApolloVIIIYouAreGoForTLI

    @ApolloVIIIYouAreGoForTLI

    4 жыл бұрын

    My lasagne Paul is way better than your Pastacaster

  • @blazeconnolly9960

    @blazeconnolly9960

    3 жыл бұрын

    😂😂😂😂🎸👍

  • @tonepilot
    @tonepilot4 жыл бұрын

    Hendrix used lighter fluid to clean his guitar only it didn’t work out so well.

  • @kenwinston2245

    @kenwinston2245

    4 жыл бұрын

    ... well, he forgot to apply it only to the rag first...

  • @thatziggs4062

    @thatziggs4062

    4 жыл бұрын

    I mean, it didnt have any dirt on it after.

  • @miguelg4006

    @miguelg4006

    3 жыл бұрын

    He wasn't cleaning it, he was relicing it

  • @Briansgate

    @Briansgate

    3 жыл бұрын

    I mean, it worked great.....once.

  • @mikebaird6788

    @mikebaird6788

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yeah I think that was at Woodstock when he lit the guitar up and caught it on fire later on Frank Zappa ended up with that guitar and Dweezil restored it

  • @russellhayden82
    @russellhayden824 жыл бұрын

    I actually like the smell of my fingers after playing guitar. I've never thought they smelled like garlic though. More of a brass or tarnished copper smell to me.

  • @herculesbrofister265

    @herculesbrofister265

    4 жыл бұрын

    I like to smell my fingers after handling hot dogs. To each their own I guess

  • @russellhayden82

    @russellhayden82

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@herculesbrofister265 depends if it's your hotdog or someone else's

  • @austintaylor7117

    @austintaylor7117

    4 жыл бұрын

    yea. same here

  • @until_its_0v3r97

    @until_its_0v3r97

    3 жыл бұрын

    I hate it ... :(

  • @jessd1952

    @jessd1952

    3 жыл бұрын

    You're not using enough oregano on your neck.

  • @godwillhunting2
    @godwillhunting24 жыл бұрын

    I'm Italian so if my hands don't smell like garlic I think something is wrong.

  • @Kylora2112

    @Kylora2112

    4 жыл бұрын

    FOUND THE VAMPIRE!!!

  • @mikewithers299

    @mikewithers299

    3 жыл бұрын

    Me too. Garlic belongs on everything!🤣🎸

  • @perfecthuman2311

    @perfecthuman2311

    2 жыл бұрын

    Same here, my hands don't smell like garlic and i dont like garlic too🤢

  • @williamsporing1500

    @williamsporing1500

    2 жыл бұрын

    Mmmmm…..my favorite food is Italian, and I’m American Indian and German lol

  • @Steven_SK
    @Steven_SK4 жыл бұрын

    A big thanks Phil for all you do! Your channel was one of the best finds of the year. Merry Christmas to you and all the folks here!

  • @deckert618
    @deckert6184 жыл бұрын

    Back in the 80s, when I was a budding teenaged metal-head, I never cleaned my guitars. The grime was a badge of honor! LOL

  • @onpsxmember

    @onpsxmember

    4 жыл бұрын

    A setup guy told me he had a customer that brought him a DNA ridden LP for a setup. He had to clean it with gloves before he could start. The guy came back and was pissed! It took him so long to get all that grime on there. I guess he liked the feel...

  • @dylanadams1455

    @dylanadams1455

    3 жыл бұрын

    I was like that, now here I am trying to clean a very rusty Floyd trem from my first decent guitar...

  • @maximusmax4557

    @maximusmax4557

    3 жыл бұрын

    I once bought a bass guitar from GWAR's bassist at the time, Casey Orr. It was absolute filthy and clotted with fake blood. I can only assume they don't clean their stuff either - they just sell it! LOL

  • @zedcarr6128

    @zedcarr6128

    2 жыл бұрын

    This also applies to underwear if you are a teenage metal head. When I was a teenager, my poor mum couldn't even put my underwear in the washing machine. She had to get our Pitbull with rabies to do it because he was the only one brave and stupid enough to take on the task. It cured his rabies, though.

  • @erojerisiz1571

    @erojerisiz1571

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@onpsxmember gotta have that toan dust

  • @kerryprochaska7631
    @kerryprochaska76314 жыл бұрын

    Thank you, Phillip. I very much appreciate all the info you put on KZread.

  • @stephenbedford1395
    @stephenbedford13954 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Phillip for a very informative video. It was very timely as some of my guitars were getting a bit grubby (dirty) and I was wondering about the best ways to spruce them up. I love your channel, cheers (from Australia).

  • @mikepj1025
    @mikepj10253 жыл бұрын

    Your videos are second to none Phil. Very much appreciate the time and work put in.

  • @stevenmgyori3826
    @stevenmgyori38264 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Phillip! A Very Merry Christmas To You and Your Family! Thanks for all you've shared this year! Peace, Love and Joy To All! Merry Christmas!

  • @PhillipMcKnight

    @PhillipMcKnight

    4 жыл бұрын

    Merry Christmas

  • @lolAARDVARKchucklz
    @lolAARDVARKchucklz4 жыл бұрын

    You’re the best Phil! Thanks!

  • @joq702
    @joq7023 жыл бұрын

    If you clean your strings with rubbing alcohol, here is a simple tip I use every time to protect the fretboard. Get some plastic food wrap, and tear off a small amount. Place the clear plastic wrap under your strings and then do the rubbing alcohol with a lint free towel. Keeping the rubbing alcohol off the fret board keeps it from drying out. Instead of plastic wrap you can use other protection materials like very thin plastic, cardboard, or a few plastic hotel or credit cards taped together end on end.

  • @inko_p
    @inko_p4 жыл бұрын

    Perfect timing!! Christmas is when I take care of all the guitars!! Huge help! Thank you so much!

  • @rebinsky9
    @rebinsky94 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Phillip. I always enjoy your enthusiasm and knowledge sharing. Merry Christmas! :)

  • @PhillipMcKnight

    @PhillipMcKnight

    4 жыл бұрын

    Merry Christmas

  • @claudiosuriano
    @claudiosuriano2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for sharing this, Phillip! Very much appreciated!

  • @mattlastnamehere6403
    @mattlastnamehere64034 жыл бұрын

    I just walked around my room sniffing all of my instruments' strings...…. I guess I got the garlic free versions :D

  • @iranhernandez6659
    @iranhernandez66594 жыл бұрын

    Best channel about guitars, Feliz Navidad Phil desde Guadalajara México 🤘🏻

  • @PhillipMcKnight

    @PhillipMcKnight

    4 жыл бұрын

    Feliz Navidad

  • @maxxblack1525
    @maxxblack15254 жыл бұрын

    A Big Thanks for the tip. Satin finish - wd 40 and soft wipe with micro fiber cloth and brand new look.

  • @ismael9899
    @ismael98994 жыл бұрын

    Merry christmas Phil! Keep on rockin!

  • @JR-lx8nn
    @JR-lx8nn2 жыл бұрын

    Another nice video. One point of departure... I would never use WD-40 on a guitar finish. That is awful stuff, WD stands for "water displacement" and it lacquers over time. One can, in a severe case, MAYBE carefully use Naphtha to clean the finish - put on a towel or pad as Phillip explains in the video - and go easy. Martin Guitar Company once advised me to use Naptha to clean ball pen ink from the surface of my guitar with Naphtha, saying small amounts would not harm the nitrocellulose finish, especially if one removes excess with a barely damp cloth afterward. Oddly enough, it worked - but not right away - at first, I was crushed because the ink remained, but after a few weeks, it disappeared and the instrument was like new. So, way cool. You can imagine how I felt when I discovered I had ball pen ink on the top of my new guitar. So, I would use Naphtha sparingly - not WD-40 - for sticky stuff or other stubborn residue on the finish. It does a great job dissolving glue residue from labels and price tags on all sorts of stuff. As with any cleaner, be careful dealing with paint or colors that could react and fade. Just MY take. Good luck guitar mavens! TT

  • @taiyoutamaki1872
    @taiyoutamaki1872 Жыл бұрын

    Dude, i love you so much you're basically a guitar sensei. I've learned so much from you that it is astounding! Frequently, i will watch another one of your videos and am consistently impressed with your ability to teach me a new tip, trick, or bit of knowledge that i was unaware of. You're amazing, and i hope you realize how appreciated you are. Not only are you incredibly knowledgeable, but the way you consciously decide to provide solutions for people who dont own, or have the ability to expend resources on, expensive tools; is both admirable and creative. You sincerely have a great deal of respect and admiration from me. Thank you, sensei!

  • @francisfernandez4864
    @francisfernandez48644 жыл бұрын

    This is really helpful! Thanks man!

  • @brandonanderson2066
    @brandonanderson20664 жыл бұрын

    Merry Christmas good sir. Cheers to another year of rocking out!

  • @PhillipMcKnight

    @PhillipMcKnight

    4 жыл бұрын

    Merry Christmas

  • @SuperShecky
    @SuperShecky4 жыл бұрын

    Windex, 409, Pinesol have no abrasives. They can act as *solvents*, though I'm not sure they can act as solvents on any finish you'll likely find on a modern guitar. They can remove oils/fats and possibly make some finishes look "dried out". Alcohols can also have a similar effect. Any kind of alcohol will definitely attack a shellac finish, but shellac isn't very commonly used to finish guitars these days. Caution should be used with old instruments or finishes which you are not sure of.

  • @almostclement4975
    @almostclement49754 жыл бұрын

    I use fast fret on my strings before and after I play, I find it helps the strings stay bright sounding for longer, I also like how they feel when I’ve applied it.

  • @mikewithers299

    @mikewithers299

    3 жыл бұрын

    Same for me. Someone showed me that product years ago.

  • @neilsnow7644

    @neilsnow7644

    2 жыл бұрын

    I love that stuff. Also helps with string noise front moving your fingers across wound strings. At a good gig, sweat will do that same.

  • @blacktoothfox677
    @blacktoothfox6772 жыл бұрын

    Its never pointless to refresh oneself upon the basics. great to see you with John Mankuta and company the other night - Big love from the UK Phil!

  • @PhillipMcKnight

    @PhillipMcKnight

    2 жыл бұрын

    That was a lot of fun.

  • @blacktoothfox677

    @blacktoothfox677

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@PhillipMcKnight - They are a good bunch of guys! I'll be honest, I was itching to try and get the Glarry Tele thinline - I'm pouring every spare penny of my meagre wage into my lovely little home studio (more than welcome to poke your nose into my weeny lil' channel to check it out, a nod of approval or some knowing criticism would be like unto a badge of honour for me!) - but, I'm likely going to buy one anyway, Lord knows what shipping would cost to the UK, and there were folk there that perhaps cant EVER afford to buy guitars, so I stayed out of it. But, it is a real pleasure to see just how many of the KZread guitar community do such giveaways... I'm actually proud of us..! End of the day, some pretty darn good people. Thankyou for your help through the last few years - learned a lot about the retail/ distributor / manufacturing of guitars from you, and your reviews always smack of honesty. Sorry about all these words; I rarely comment, so, I guess I'm splurging! Bless you, stay healthy and safe out there Sonic Sensei!!! - New Forest, UK

  • @chuckbergman4855
    @chuckbergman48554 жыл бұрын

    Hey Phil, I read a passage in a guitar repair book of mine where apparently BBking use to use a Blitz cloth to clean his strings after playing every time. I've been doing this for over 20years. Before and after playing I wash my hands and after I'm done playing I wipe the strings down with a Blitz cloth. Always seems to work and a lot less maintenance needs to be done to my guitars over all in keeping with this regiment. Some , like my son say it's too much effort, however the sound of my guitars are always consistent and the strings feel smooth all the time. Once your use to it , you don't even think of it. Great videos and information as usual, cheers!

  • @trevorgwelch7412
    @trevorgwelch74122 жыл бұрын

    Pledge is my favourite , I was a lab tech for years and i understand the formula ... perfectly safe and it protects /// I highly don't recommend water or vinegar ( acetic acid on guitars or floors . )

  • @52TeleGuy
    @52TeleGuy4 жыл бұрын

    DR. Ducks ax wax is great for fretboards, and polishing a guitar. 3 in 1 oil is good for keeping metal parts from rusting and to keep them lubed, also works great on fretboard and fret cleaning. Martin cleaner/polish is good as well. I use all 3 and recommend them.

  • @finaljesus
    @finaljesus4 жыл бұрын

    Awesome advice Phillip thank you for the channel

  • @andrewakenson9873
    @andrewakenson98734 жыл бұрын

    Merry Christmas! Love your channel!

  • @arpannaskar7462
    @arpannaskar74624 жыл бұрын

    Thanks, really useful tips... Merry Christmas...❤️

  • @PhillipMcKnight

    @PhillipMcKnight

    4 жыл бұрын

    Merry Christmas

  • @e3a3c3
    @e3a3c34 жыл бұрын

    For years I restored guitar strings (acoustic and electric) to their original bright sound and appearance by boiling them with a tiny bit of detergent in the water. You can do it several times on a set of strings, but they eventually break just from the removal and reinstallation process. Now that I can afford to buy new strings, I no longer do the boiling thing. But it definitely works.

  • @prateekbhardwaj9943

    @prateekbhardwaj9943

    Жыл бұрын

    wow didn't know that will try

  • @lightningdinocake249

    @lightningdinocake249

    Жыл бұрын

    ssounds fun might try it

  • @carlkaczmarski3221
    @carlkaczmarski32214 жыл бұрын

    Merry Christmas! Thank you for all the videos! Helps a ton!!

  • @PhillipMcKnight

    @PhillipMcKnight

    4 жыл бұрын

    Merry Christmas

  • @saffmohamed7416
    @saffmohamed74162 жыл бұрын

    awesome video; thanks for the perspective and tips!!

  • @marions.120
    @marions.1202 жыл бұрын

    Lighter fluid and a match seems to clean everything! 🔥🎸🔥

  • @williamsporing1500

    @williamsporing1500

    2 жыл бұрын

    Ask Jimi!

  • @RC32Smiths01
    @RC32Smiths014 жыл бұрын

    Cheers man for the information guitar cleaning, it's quite an important factor to ensuring the quality I believe of the guitar

  • @onpsxmember

    @onpsxmember

    4 жыл бұрын

    Best is prevention...keep the fingernails short. It's so hurtful to see a clawed away fretboard. Most scratches on the body and pickguard are from the nails, not the pick.

  • @EM-df6mo
    @EM-df6mo4 жыл бұрын

    Absolutely Great video Phil.

  • @rustydodge6167
    @rustydodge61674 жыл бұрын

    Thank you PHIL 👍 and Merry Christmas 🎄

  • @timrod1984
    @timrod19844 жыл бұрын

    Hey Phil, Merry Christmas to you & your family. See you at NAMM

  • @PhillipMcKnight

    @PhillipMcKnight

    4 жыл бұрын

    Merry Christmas! See you at NAMM

  • @kenhall6525
    @kenhall65254 жыл бұрын

    I use baby oil to lube the nut, the fretboard and neck of my guitars, been doing so for years with no issues

  • @phillippitts6294
    @phillippitts62944 жыл бұрын

    Thanks ! The tips really help for a new player like myself!

  • @jcdardis4115
    @jcdardis41153 жыл бұрын

    thank you so much! i just got a dusty guitar and was wondering how to clean it. this was very helpful!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • @losferwords100
    @losferwords1002 жыл бұрын

    Believe it or not, lighter fluid makes for a really effective fretboard cleaner. It really gets into the grain of the wood and gets all the gunk out. It also absorbs/evaporates really quickly so it's an easy clean-up. Easily the best method for cleaning fretboards I've found. It dries the fretboard out a lot and a lot of people have fears that it'll crack the fretboard but I've never had issues. Just oil thoroughly after.

  • @jmack619

    @jmack619

    6 ай бұрын

    is that you Jimi ??

  • @williamsporing1500

    @williamsporing1500

    5 ай бұрын

    It’s naphtha

  • @jmack619

    @jmack619

    5 ай бұрын

    @@williamsporing1500 dont be smoking

  • @Hipsters_N_Hippies
    @Hipsters_N_Hippies4 жыл бұрын

    I’ve used 95% iso alcohol on a rag to clean the strings for a year now. I thought I was the only person to do such a thing.

  • @therugburnz

    @therugburnz

    4 жыл бұрын

    Bourbon.

  • @LightningDogg

    @LightningDogg

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@therugburnz That's a waste of bourbon. Use something undrinkable.... like gin.

  • @therugburnz

    @therugburnz

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@LightningDogg My guitar Carol and I drink Kentucky Bourbon. If we want something undrinkable l use Jack Daniel's.

  • @LightningDogg

    @LightningDogg

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@therugburnz Lol I thought you were suggesting bourbon as a cleaner. I'm a scotch man but I think I could drink almost any whiskey before gin. Cheers

  • @therugburnz

    @therugburnz

    4 жыл бұрын

    Now you're getting it. Although on a few occasions I did give my guitar a drink. I read in Scientific American that Stradivarius soaked certain woods in beer and may have used other Spirits in his wood curing process. I'm now a slightly wiser 55 but at 16 I thought, wow ill drink with my guitar(I had given her her name) to make her alive as I had no other friends. The fantasy of it was fun. Plus reasons. Thanx for responding

  • @imsecond578
    @imsecond5782 жыл бұрын

    Very helpful. Thank you.

  • @Lysdexia
    @Lysdexia4 жыл бұрын

    Top man - thank you for the much-appreciated guidance!

  • @tempestfury8324
    @tempestfury83243 жыл бұрын

    I've been using the same cleaning methods for almost 40 years and never had any problems; Some warm water, a teeny drop of dish soap and an old toothbrush works great for really dirty and grimy fretboards. Just don't douse it, use just enough to clean it. Wipe it completely dry. Linseed oil works great to condition fretboards. Very little! Maybe three drops for the entire fretboard. Isopropyl alcohol really works great to clean your strings. I've never been impressed by specific and brand name guitar polishes... Lacquer finished guitars.....nothing wrong with using good old car wax. Remember most of the "golden age" electrics were painted with automotive paints (that's why they had similar colors like seafoam green, salmon, black, white, and red). Use sparingly and obviously avoid areas like the pickups and bridge. I love GHS Fast Fret.....not as a cleaner but more of a lubricant for strings and frets. Use very sparingly (one quick run up and down, two strings at a time) and immediately wipe off excess. One stick of that should last decades. Best advice is wash your hands before you play. And wipe down your guitar after every use. Microfiber towels are fine but honestly tea towels (sometimes called flour sack towels) work the best. Cheap and 100% cotton. Never use terrycloth towels!

  • @preston2636

    @preston2636

    2 жыл бұрын

    You realize you don't have tonuse dish soap and water anymore right? It cost 3 dollars for a bottle of actusl guitar cleaner. Yes believe it or not

  • @shanenorberg

    @shanenorberg

    Жыл бұрын

    ​@@preston2636and it cost about 50 cent for dishsoap which works just as well.

  • @tacoconch7678
    @tacoconch76784 жыл бұрын

    Naptha is awesome for cleaning strings. Just a dab on a cloth will wipe away any funk from them. I pull an old t-shirt under the strings to protect my fretboard. Naptha is what most lighter fluids are based on. You can get it cheap on Amazon.

  • @rajchamling2323

    @rajchamling2323

    2 жыл бұрын

    Hi how to clean less Paul guitar pickup bridge ?

  • @JenniLudes
    @JenniLudes4 жыл бұрын

    Very practical and helpful info. And I would not have guessed lighter fluid was ok...ha. Thanks again Phil and Merry Christmas!

  • @stringspicksandfiddlestick6388
    @stringspicksandfiddlestick63884 жыл бұрын

    Great topic. I use white distilled vingar to patina nickle and chrome parts like bridges and tuners. My wife always has Murphy's Oil Soap around and used sparingly it's good for cleaning Rosewood finger boards. It's made for cleaning wood.

  • @cowtowncustoms2110
    @cowtowncustoms21104 жыл бұрын

    As always, your GREAT!!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS to all!!!!!!

  • @PhillipMcKnight

    @PhillipMcKnight

    4 жыл бұрын

    Merry Christmas

  • @c.g.vonhagenstein7576
    @c.g.vonhagenstein75762 жыл бұрын

    I've heard soooo many differing opinions over the years on boiling guitar strings, but I don't think I've ever heard of it for the purpose of cleaning the strings, so that was interesting. Maybe it's laziness but I've never put strings *back* on a guitar after removing them. I do clean them after playing (sometimes better than others if I'm being honest) and tend to keep them on the guitar until they're that guest who has totally worn out their welcome and have to tell them the party is over and they gotta leave. Great video that every single guitar player of all skill levels should watch. Those playing with coated strings might want to take that (and some common sense lol) into account. Speaking of, I know it's subjective (playing/feel-wise) but would like to hear your thoughts on them. I used to go back and forth on them; I like their longevity but stopped using them because I prefer the feel and other characteristics of traditional nickel-wound. Sorry for the wall of text but thanks again for this one.

  • @mr.bonesbbq3288
    @mr.bonesbbq32884 жыл бұрын

    Some nice info, thanks! Merry Christmas to alla yall there at Know Yer Gear!

  • @declanmcmullen9957
    @declanmcmullen99574 жыл бұрын

    Merry Christmas Phil to you and your family. Love the videos, all the best for 2020.

  • @id3m589
    @id3m5893 жыл бұрын

    Been cleaning my guitars with IPA for over 10 years. No adverse reaction - great way to clean a grimy instrument. Phillip, you also advise cleaning with lighter fluid and WD40 - both are way stronger solvents than IPA.

  • @richardnita8176
    @richardnita81764 жыл бұрын

    Long time viewer. Just want to say I appreciate the way you do what you do and a big Merry Christmas to you and your family, Phil!

  • @JoeCocio
    @JoeCocio4 жыл бұрын

    great vid with some great tips Phil!

  • @kevinnashiscool1
    @kevinnashiscool14 жыл бұрын

    I was expecting a shaken not stirred joke. Thanks for the tips Phil.

  • @johndance1362
    @johndance13622 жыл бұрын

    Phil, I remember John Cippolino saying in an old Guitar Player Magazine interview that he used Hoppes #9 nitro solvent to clean his guitar strings and that he could use the same set for months and longer. I guess if it works on cleaning guns it could work on strings as well. He said that he didn't like to change his strings unless they broke or were completely played out. Have you ever heard of this before?

  • @perihelion7798
    @perihelion77984 жыл бұрын

    The best string cleaner I have found is Goo Gone. Really...give it a try. It is very noted for removing those pesky sticker glue residues also. It is safe for poly and acrylic finishes. Denatured alcohol [ 100% alcohol ] is safe on poly and acrylic surfaces. Beware on cellulose or lacquer surfaces. It cleans 'gold' parts very effectively, without damage, as well as electrical parts. The liquids mentioned by Phillip have no 'abrasives' in them. It's the chemicals that are potentially damaging, except for various polishes and rubbing compounds, which do have abrasives. Acetone is an amazing fretboard cleaner for wood fretboards, but not maple fretboards, which have a coating that can be destroyed by acetone. Acetone will dissolve oozing resins very well. However, acetone is a plastic eater, and will also wreck cellulose and lacquer very quickly. I use it for bare wood before priming, as it removes any sticky resins, etc. Keep it away from poly and acrylic! I have used furniture lemon oil for over three decades, without any issues at all. Don't overdo it. I use slightly used Scotchbrite green pads for cleaning strings, and fretboards. Works great. I have been repairing and modding guitars for about 35 years now, and, rest assured, I have made my share of egregious mistakes and blunders, some really, really bad. But you can often learn more from your failures than you can from your successes. I've failed enough to learn a lot.

  • @OliverBooks

    @OliverBooks

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thanks! I was gonna ask about goo gone. I just restored a guitar that seemed like it was stored in a pig shed if all the pigs were 3 pack a day smokers. I used goo gone and it seemed to work really well. I also used windex on the chrome. It seemed fine, but after watching this I'm glad I didn't use it on anything else!

  • @hallobre

    @hallobre

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for your mistakes. Thanks to you we won’t need to experience those same failures. Happy holidays

  • @markbaum9615

    @markbaum9615

    4 жыл бұрын

    Sorry....goo gone is way too strong....it will eat a hole in carpet..or damage any finish easily

  • @perihelion7798

    @perihelion7798

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@hallobre haha...you don't know about my myriad failures over the 30+ years. Many were pretty embarrassing, actually.

  • @perihelion7798

    @perihelion7798

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@markbaum9615 It will NOT damage any guitar strings or any poly or acrylic finish, but is not for lacquer or cellulose. I use it to take off glue goo on poly guitars all the time without any issues.

  • @adamd.6698
    @adamd.66984 жыл бұрын

    Happy Holidays Phil! Bless to you and yours in the New Year!

  • @PhillipMcKnight

    @PhillipMcKnight

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you Adam. Happy Holidays

  • @richthetrashpicker-upper5244
    @richthetrashpicker-upper52444 жыл бұрын

    You're the best I love watching your shows and thank you for providing videos for us

  • @jedione1904
    @jedione19044 жыл бұрын

    Olive oil....fuggetaboutit.

  • @onpsxmember

    @onpsxmember

    4 жыл бұрын

    Anything used in a salad doesn't belong on a guitar.

  • @KONAROCK1

    @KONAROCK1

    4 жыл бұрын

    somebody toucha my *spaghet*

  • @reginaldbowls7180

    @reginaldbowls7180

    4 жыл бұрын

    I put flax seed oil on mine

  • @ernestochang1744

    @ernestochang1744

    3 жыл бұрын

    Heres the thing guys, you dont oil your fretboards the only thing to clean your guitar you can use water and a rag, the oil will actually be soaked into the wood and will loose the frets over time and will feel greasy afterwards, and depending on how you do it may even look cloudy after a few hours, realistically if the wood looks dry again no oil, just use a humidifier!! I dont know why this mistake has been passed down from generations to generations its just not needed and yhe oil actually does more harm to your guitar then fix

  • @sargetparrot
    @sargetparrot4 жыл бұрын

    anyone else sniff there fretting hand when he mentioned the garlic smell?

  • @Crovax
    @Crovax4 жыл бұрын

    As always, thank YOU for what you do. Merry Christmas or happy holidays or whatever, have a good time!!

  • @johnnysteelwood931
    @johnnysteelwood931 Жыл бұрын

    Phillip- you have good presentation indeed. I like your style!

  • @Mike28625
    @Mike286253 жыл бұрын

    Having grown up in the land of slot machines, i was amused by the "garlic smell" notion. That nickel smell is as nostalgic as grandmas cookies to me lol

  • @JohnOhkumaThiel
    @JohnOhkumaThiel4 жыл бұрын

    I found microfiber gloves in a dollar store in Japan. Every time I finish playing, I put on the microfiber gloves and give the guitar a quick wipe down. Works great.

  • @johnwallace2319

    @johnwallace2319

    4 жыл бұрын

    Why not play with them on?

  • @bobbyfikesmusicfun
    @bobbyfikesmusicfun4 жыл бұрын

    Merry Christmas! Great info. With some of my students I take a Scotch-Brite scouring pad ( make sure it's not the one with soap in it)) and wrap the corner around the edge of a plane string, and rub it up and down. Some of these kids never wash their hands. And that's another thing I always tell them to wash their hands before playing.

  • @Xaltar_
    @Xaltar_4 жыл бұрын

    Merry Christmas to you and yours Phil, have a great one.

  • @PhillipMcKnight

    @PhillipMcKnight

    4 жыл бұрын

    Merry Christmas

  • @teknical100
    @teknical1004 жыл бұрын

    Strap it to the roof and send it through the car wash I mean what could go wrong? On a serous note, happy Christmas and thanks for some great content.

  • @PhillipMcKnight

    @PhillipMcKnight

    4 жыл бұрын

    Merry Christmas

  • @maximusmax4557

    @maximusmax4557

    3 жыл бұрын

    Or just break it down and throw it in the dishwasher. Top rack only!

  • @philipatoz
    @philipatoz4 жыл бұрын

    What about Murphy's Oil Soap? I've been using it on my acoustics for quite awhile - seems to work great.

  • @forchun88arrereh50
    @forchun88arrereh503 жыл бұрын

    Thanks great help😎

  • @cafestudiosinc.1702
    @cafestudiosinc.17024 жыл бұрын

    Merry Christmas! Windex on electric guitar body’s works great. On unfinished wood it’s a no no. Linseed oil on fret boards or orange oil. Mineral oil works great for fretboards also.

  • @rowenlampe7426
    @rowenlampe74264 жыл бұрын

    Merry Christmas everyone, hope you all get 20 new guitars

  • @Mustaine1ify

    @Mustaine1ify

    4 жыл бұрын

    I got another tuner (already got Three) no guitar ☹

  • @francesnieznay6623
    @francesnieznay66234 жыл бұрын

    what about pledge polish,been using it for 40 years,just be sure to wipe down after applying .Thanks from Glendale,Good holidays.

  • @thebeetalls

    @thebeetalls

    4 жыл бұрын

    Pledge has silicone in it.

  • @bcoll1082

    @bcoll1082

    4 жыл бұрын

    I too have used Pledge for a long time even when some have said not to. It cleans and polishes at the same time, and works great. The first time I tried it was on an old beater axe and it was fine, so from then on I have used it on all my guitars. Never presented an issue.

  • @dalewetzel773

    @dalewetzel773

    4 жыл бұрын

    I use lemon Pledge to clean my motorcycle also

  • @dalewetzel773

    @dalewetzel773

    4 жыл бұрын

    Kizzy C I’m pretty sure you’re correct! It’s an antifreeze green Victory Cross Country

  • @LoneWolf-ni1zj
    @LoneWolf-ni1zj3 жыл бұрын

    Just experienced the "Smelly Fingers" from my Guitar Strings, that's why I'm here and Thank you again Phil!!

  • @crocholiday
    @crocholiday2 жыл бұрын

    For sticker removal... I have my first bass from when I was a kid that's got a bunch of stickers on it. I'm finding that it actually has some real value beyond sentimental and was pondering restoring it. My worry, the stickers have been on it 30+ years now and I'm worried there may be some UV shading. It's been in case, bag or closet most of that time but not all of it. Is this something you've come across? Should I worry about it? Any advice would be most appreciated.

  • @epoch71
    @epoch714 жыл бұрын

    So today we learned that guitars can be used as a weapon against vampires. How awesome is that?! Merry Christmas Phil and thanks for the great channel.

  • @PhillipMcKnight

    @PhillipMcKnight

    4 жыл бұрын

    Merry Christmas

  • @mollyhunter7727
    @mollyhunter7727 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the tips bro

  • @robotman7945
    @robotman79453 жыл бұрын

    Thankyou for this tips..more power!

  • @jonahguitarguy
    @jonahguitarguy4 жыл бұрын

    Just stay away from silicon. No benefits worth the possible finishing problems. Building and repairing for many years no need for silicon.

  • @PhillipMcKnight

    @PhillipMcKnight

    4 жыл бұрын

    The hard part is a lot of string lubricants has silicone, so I feel sometimes there is no way to stop it. I prefer silicone free polishs like Music nomad

  • @jonahguitarguy

    @jonahguitarguy

    4 жыл бұрын

    Phillip McKnight crap now I have to check my string lube.

  • @reginaldbowls7180

    @reginaldbowls7180

    4 жыл бұрын

    Are you putting computer chips on your guitar??

  • @ianfisher5316
    @ianfisher53164 жыл бұрын

    I always boil my nylon strings...

  • @simon_patterson

    @simon_patterson

    4 жыл бұрын

    I microwave mine, never fails.

  • @robertdiaz2563

    @robertdiaz2563

    4 жыл бұрын

    if you boil your nylon strings won't they stretch?

  • @simon_patterson

    @simon_patterson

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@robertdiaz2563 only one way to find out for sure! 😉

  • @bjl1000

    @bjl1000

    4 жыл бұрын

    Al Dante?

  • @simon_patterson

    @simon_patterson

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@bjl1000 al dente or andante? 😁

  • @DavidHBurkart
    @DavidHBurkart3 жыл бұрын

    Great tips. Thanks

  • @brent4uc
    @brent4uc4 жыл бұрын

    As always Good info. Know your gear!

  • @DiveBombDaveTV
    @DiveBombDaveTV4 жыл бұрын

    I'd never even considered Windex or such like, but I instantly thought could you use such solutions to deliberately damage the paint for an aged/relic look? (Disclaimer: I wouldn't consider relicing my own kit, just curious!)

  • @70sman

    @70sman

    Жыл бұрын

    Windex isn't strong enough to damage a guitar enough to make it look aged, it'll just look kind of dull over time

  • @FangPaw
    @FangPaw4 жыл бұрын

    Olive oil: my luthier is a qualified string instrument (ie violin, viola, etc) repairer who does guitar work as a side-line. He recommends olive oil for fingerboards - a light application every six months. But - here's the kicker - do NOT use the expensive extra-virgin-first-cold-pressing stuff. It goes rancid and soon becomes a sticky mess. Use a light inexpensive olive oil of the sort often sold in spray bottles. I've been using it for years and can confirm it both cleans and conditions the fretboard and does NOT go sticky or smelly. And it lubricates strings (apply on a moistened clean lint-free cloth).

  • @74dartman13

    @74dartman13

    4 жыл бұрын

    I've used it for a while, too. It works for me!👍😎🎸🎶

  • @davekiddie4467

    @davekiddie4467

    4 жыл бұрын

    Linseed

  • @FangPaw

    @FangPaw

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@davekiddie4467 Linseed (aka flax) oil polymerises and goes hard. Great for cricket bats .....

  • @davekiddie4467

    @davekiddie4467

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@FangPaw best thing for guitar necks Rolling Stones luthier used it for 50 years and me being a luthier i use it aiso. olive oil is not recomended

  • @FangPaw

    @FangPaw

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@davekiddie4467 Is linseed oil OK for ebony boards as well?

  • @alanhenager50
    @alanhenager503 жыл бұрын

    I've started to use Ballistol (a mineral oil) to condition fretboards in place of lemon oil. I also use it to clean strings. I place a small amount on a microfiber cloth, and run the cloth underneath the strings. I would say it's the same as lemon oil in respect to how often to use, as you don't really want a fretboard all saturated with any oil, but, used sparingly, it can preserve and clean.

  • @markgardiner1767
    @markgardiner17672 жыл бұрын

    That was educational...thanks

  • @longjaw-1
    @longjaw-14 жыл бұрын

    I use WD40 to clean my strings, spray a small amount on a tissue, wrap it around each string individually and move it up and down. Works a treat.

  • @cockers6682
    @cockers66824 жыл бұрын

    I just bath mine never had any problems

  • @Mustaine1ify

    @Mustaine1ify

    4 жыл бұрын

    If you give your guitar a shower make sure you use a shower cap on the headstock.

  • @interpolagent9
    @interpolagent94 жыл бұрын

    Merry Christmas, Phil!

  • @skeetschuler1859
    @skeetschuler18594 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Philip Merry Christmas to you and yours

  • @PhillipMcKnight

    @PhillipMcKnight

    4 жыл бұрын

    Merry Christmas

  • @ismael9899
    @ismael98994 жыл бұрын

    Ernie ball guitar polish and fast fret for the conditioner and youre done!

  • @onpsxmember

    @onpsxmember

    4 жыл бұрын

    Buy white mineral spirits for the price of a banana, take a cloth and wrap it around a piece of wood, like icicle sticks to also clean the underside of the strings. Congratulations! You obtained lifelong fast fret.

  • @ismael9899

    @ismael9899

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@onpsxmember honesly thats a good idea but 8 dollars a year seems alright by me,easy frets lasts a lot

  • @markbaum9615

    @markbaum9615

    4 жыл бұрын

    Fast fret is the shizz

  • @ismael9899

    @ismael9899

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@markbaum9615 hell yeah!

  • @russellhayden82

    @russellhayden82

    4 жыл бұрын

    I used to use fast fret but it left too much of a sticky feel on my fingers after playing

  • @SuperShecky
    @SuperShecky4 жыл бұрын

    Olive oil for *cleaning*? Never heard of that, but it'll work fine to "moisturize" unfinished wood such as rosewood or ebony. As long as you wipe on AND THEN WIPE OFF! If it's going rancid on your guitar, you're using way too much! Use any oil sparingly.

  • @DanielSantos-ho7no
    @DanielSantos-ho7no4 жыл бұрын

    Thanks! Congrats all way from Brazil.

  • @Mistertbones
    @Mistertbones4 жыл бұрын

    Great video about how to clean a guitar. Merry Christmas!

  • @PhillipMcKnight

    @PhillipMcKnight

    4 жыл бұрын

    Merry Christmas

  • @mailvilla
    @mailvilla4 жыл бұрын

    12/24/2019: Hello, I love your in-depth reviews with no sugar coating. I would love you to do a review of the Fender deluxe solid-state amp $899.99 plus taxes. here have been a lot of good reviews, but being that it is a new product, it has not been reviewed by the buyers too much. I like that it is very lightweight compared to the tube version, and sounds a lot like the tube version. But, what I do not like (and other viewers too) is that Fender did not put a headphone jack in this solid-state amp. Also, since it is a solid-state amp, I am wondering why it does not have a designated clean channel that does not start breaking up at volume #4, and stays clean maxed out volume. I understand Fender was trying to imitate the tube amp, but why not make it better with these two features? So, hopefully you will get a chance to check it out and answer questions about it. Website: www.guitarcenter.com/Fender/Tone-Master-Deluxe-Reverb-100W-1x12-Guitar-Combo-Amp-Black-1500000291112.gc