Wraith Guitars

The Importance of a Clean Fretboard

Apart from the strings, the fretboard is the part of the guitar that we touch most. This contact leaves behind dead skin, finger oils, sweat and anything else that may be on our fingers., as well as the dust and dirt from the environment. Eventually these ingredients create a nasty layer of unsightly gunk that leaves the fretboard looking dull and lifeless, feeling sticky and unpleasant to play.

Not only is all this gunk unsightly, but it provides food that allows bacteria and moulds to grow; especially in the small gaps where the frets meet the fretboard. If left without maintenance, these bacteria and moulds can eat away and decay the wood, resulting in loose frets, stains and pitting which can require the costly services of a luthier or guitar tech to remedy.

Regular maintanence and cleaning with high quality products like Wraith Fretboard Cleaner and Wraith Fretboard Conditioner can help prevent the adverse effects of sweat, dirt, bacteria and mould. These products not only clean the fretboard but protect, preserve and beautify the wood, making your guitar look and feel as great as it sounds.

One of the ingredients in our fretboard conditioner, Rosewood Essential Oil (Aniba Rosaeodora), has proven antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant properties that helps protect wood from the microorganisms that call your fretboard home.