Black traces on my fingertips

[g.wizz]

Hello brothers
when I first got my 513 AP with ebony fretboard a year ago I've noticed that my fingertips were smudged in the color of graphite for the first week of playing my new guitar,and I experienced the same with my cu22 ltd also with ebony fretboard that i had before the 513, since then I kept the guitar hanged on the wall and I only returned it to the case 2 months ago when my wife decided to re-model few rooms (removing floor tiles adding Gipson walls etc...) which translate to dust and more dust creeping into my den and the other rooms,so I returned the guitar to its case playing it maybe once or twice a week and few days ago I've noticed that the black material showed up again,I'd like to add that the weather turned a bit cold this month and it started raining intermittently so is it the rise in humidity? Keeping it in the case more than few days at a time? Is it because my den is closed to prevent more fine dust creeping in (which I've found to be impossible) so the room is not aired daily like it was before which led in turn maybe for the rise in humidity thus I'm facing this right now?
i'd like to hear if anybody is experiencing this at a certain time of the year or if this is due to a specific situation only

thanks for any info as usual.

 

[Twinfan]

I had similar on my PS guitars with blackwood(?) fingerboards. It goes away after some use and/or a clean with lemon oil.

I just assumed it was traces of dust from the fingerboard sanding that was left in the grain.

 

[Hedonismbot]

I always experience this with brand new strings regardless of finger board material. After a few playing sessions this goes away. It could be from the lemon I treat my rosewood and ebony boards with.

 

[]-[@n$0Ma☩!©]

It's the nickel in your strings.

 

[Rider1260]

It's the nickel in your strings.

+1

 

[sleary]

That was my first thought...damn nickel lol

 

[jimistephen]

Yeah, I get it from the strings also right after I change them.

 

[g.wizz]

Ok guys, to be honest my hands don't sweat that much maybe because for the past year I've been practicing once or twice a week and don't laugh but till today I haven't broken a string and didn't put a new set yet although I bend the strings aggressively, so they are not new, and I've been waiting for the damn re-modeling to finish (it seems like it's taken forever) to clean the guitar and change the strings (lazy I know), but I work long days and don't get to play the guitar before 10 pm most of the times.
So, since I have the PRS fretboard conditioner and the Fret Doctor should I use the latter to clean both the ebony fretboard and the IRW neck or I use the conditioner and leave the Fret Doctor for the IRW solid neck only ?
i appreciate any advice you can throw my way
thx.

 

[Twinfan]

I'd use either on both the neck and fingerboard.

 

[shinksma]

I get the same darkened fingertips from playing a guitar that has been "unplayed" for a while, regardless of fretboard material. It is the thin layer of oxide from your strings.

It might be exacerbated by an ebony fretboard, but I wouldn't worry about it either way. (Just wash your hands before you eat, like a good boy!)

 

[Drew]

My Navarro core model turned my fingers black for weeks. Its whatever they are using to treat the fingerboards. That particular fingerboard was quite literally damp for a while.

 

[g.wizz]

All is understandable guys but after a year? my best bet it's the humidity acting on the ebony fretboard, I've never experienced this with my first cu22 with rosewood neck that i kept for 5 years...oh and dear Shinksma I'm taking your hygiene advice to heart :biggrin:

 

[Jazzedout]

My best guess is the strings as well...

 

[Twinfan]

I don't get the issue with new strings, I had it early in a couple of guitars lives then it went away. If it was strings it would always occur.

It's something to do with the fretboard when it's new.

 

[g.wizz]

You got a point there Twinfan but if it's the fretboard, why it started acting after a year?
Is it because i put the guitar back in the case after a yeR being hanged on the wall?
And the change in humidity did its thing?
Now i'm saying its a major issue or i'm worried or anything, just curious if you guys
Experienced this after pulling out one of your guitars from the case after a long period of time

 

[Bill SAS 513]

Yeah, pretty sure it's the strings...

 

[sleary]

Ok guys, to be honest my hands don't sweat that much maybe because for the past year I've been practicing once or twice a week and don't laugh but till today I haven't broken a string and didn't put a new set yet although I bend the strings aggressively, so they are not new, and I've been waiting for the damn re-modeling to finish (it seems like it's taken forever) to clean the guitar and change the strings (lazy I know), but I work long days and don't get to play the guitar before 10 pm most of the times.
So, since I have the PRS fretboard conditioner and the Fret Doctor should I use the latter to clean both the ebony fretboard and the IRW neck or I use the conditioner and leave the Fret Doctor for the IRW solid neck only ?
i appreciate any advice you can throw my way
thx.

Fret doctor should only be used once to twice a year. What I do is, put some on and wait 20 minutes then do it again. Wipe any off that is still not dry after a total time of 40 minutes. I know kinda sucks doing it this way but the results are great.....I did this last night to my cu24 and yes black stuff was on my hands.

 

[Therinx]

It's a bonus, nothing wrong with gettin a little dirty from playing guitar!

 

[ChrisCst22]

I was going to say I've never had that problem. Ever. It must be that "fret doctor" stuff. I've never even heard about it until now.