Maple Fretboard Dirty

[telewolf]

I have been playing my PRS Brent Mason for about 5 months now and the fretboard looks to be darkening in certain areas and you can see the string shadow (where the fretboard is darker between the strings) along the fret board as well.

Any ideas for upkeep and maintenance or is this normal for this type of finish and wood?

 

[Rider1260]

If you neck is the unfinished ( finish in the neck ) I used a bit of Pledge on mine and it cleaned right up
I would also contact PTC they will let you know the correct way

 

[Boogie]

I heard those maple boards can collect huge dirt deposits in the shape of birds.

 

[izzyizborn]

A bottle of Naphtha, or even Ronsonol lighter fluid, will do the trick. Condoned by folks at the PRS factory, BTW.

 

[garrettb]

Per Dan Erlewine (who literally wrote the book on guitar maintenance), hot breath and a good cotton rag. If that doesn't work, then naptha. If that doesn't work, congratulations on playing the guitar enough to earn some honest wear!

 

[DaveNJ]

Some people pay extra for that!

 

[CVS]

If you neck is the unfinished ( finish in the neck ) I used a bit of Pledge on mine and it cleaned right up
I would also contact PTC they will let you know the correct way

I agree - If neck is finished - no chemicals - & check with PTC

 

[telewolf]

Thanks for all the responses. Yes, i have reached out to the PTC and waiting for there response. I believe it has that super glue type finish where it feels like natural unfinished wood but the finish is actually soaked into the wood rather than sitting on top

 

[László]

Maple fretboards are supposed to do that. Unlike rosewood, which is an unfinished oily wood, maple has to be painted or sealed, and that paint or sealer wears off sooner or later. Usually...sooner.

So if that's bothersome, you might not be a very good candidate for a guitar with a maple fretboard.

If you buy a Fender relic, you get the wear and dirt on the finish as part of the deal.