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Post by NikGnashers on Dec 27, 2022 12:51:02 GMT
Love fast fret, but it's expensive for what you get and dries out quickly.
What do you guys use, or suggest, as an alternative ?
I have heard various theories that Fast Fret is Paraffin oil, or mineral oil ? Some suggested virgin olive oil.
The lightest oil I have used is sewing machine oil which was recommended as a bearing lubricant for my Technics turntable spindle bearing. Thought maybe this might be ok, not tried it yet though.
Any thoughts ?
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minorkey
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Post by minorkey on Dec 27, 2022 20:12:06 GMT
Err, what is it exactly?
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Dec 27, 2022 21:42:29 GMT
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Post by NikGnashers on Dec 28, 2022 9:09:16 GMT
Thanks for the input, I'll try that !
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minorkey
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Post by minorkey on Dec 28, 2022 10:02:40 GMT
Yes google is my friend but I prefer conversation! Saying String cleaner and lubricant would have done the trick!
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Post by ocarolan on Dec 28, 2022 10:40:01 GMT
Fast Fret is indeed light mineral oil in the fibre pad. I suppose it is possible to "refresh" the pad with similar oil, though it could be a risk...
"Lemon oil" as sold for use with musical instruments (as opposed to lemon oil - an essential oil which should not go near musical instruments) is light mineral oil with fragrance added. It may be cheaper to use this on a Fast Fret pad when the pad is dry?
I find mine lasts me several months even if I remember to use it every time before and after playing. Maybe your container isn't as airtight as it should be Nik? I still use an old metal one like they first used, and chuck the plastic ones. I'm a big fan of FF too!
Keith
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minorkey
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Post by minorkey on Dec 28, 2022 10:50:08 GMT
I've only ever used vaseline when cleaning my f'board. Just a tiny amount
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Post by PistolPete on Dec 28, 2022 19:30:57 GMT
I've heard tales of WD40 and Johnson's Baby oil being used as they are both mineral-oil based, although I haven't tried either of them (nor have I tried Fast Fret for that matter). At one time I used to de-grease the strings with a baby wipe every so often, but I've fallen out of that habit over the years, and can't really see any difference in the lifespan I get using nothing except the occasional once-over with a microfibre cloth.
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Post by NikGnashers on Dec 28, 2022 21:12:18 GMT
Fast Fret is indeed light mineral oil in the fibre pad. I suppose it is possible to "refresh" the pad with similar oil, though it could be a risk... "Lemon oil" as sold for use with musical instruments (as opposed to lemon oil - an essential oil which should not go near musical instruments) is light mineral oil with fragrance added. It may be cheaper to use this on a Fast Fret pad when the pad is dry? I find mine lasts me several months even if I remember to use it every time before and after playing. Maybe your container isn't as airtight as it should be Nik? I still use an old metal one like they first used, and chuck the plastic ones. I'm a big fan of FF too! Keith Thanks Keith, I still have the metal container, and after posting bought a new tube and was a bit disappointed to see they are now plastic. I guess it saves money. Mine has lasted about 6 months and still has 'some' oil but it's getting fairly dry. I have always wondered if I could save money by buying some type of oil and just topping up the pad. I guess £9.99 isn't too bad for 6 months use, but I'd rather spend less if I can obviously. I'll do some research and see if I can find some recommendations for mineral oil to use instead. Thanks for your shared experience and input matey ! Nik
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Post by NikGnashers on Dec 28, 2022 21:16:00 GMT
I've heard tales of WD40 and Johnson's Baby oil being used as they are both mineral-oil based, although I haven't tried either of them (nor have I tried Fast Fret for that matter). At one time I used to de-grease the strings with a baby wipe every so often, but I've fallen out of that habit over the years, and can't really see any difference in the lifespan I get using nothing except the occasional once-over with a microfibre cloth. Thanks Pete, I use it primarily for reducing string squeak, it really spoils the sound for me. I have other stuff for cleaning the fretboard, and only use it every other string change so I'm not (hopefully) damaging the neck wood. I'm lucky in that I don't really sweat much, and always wash my hands regularly before playing, so my strings actually last a fair time before feeling gunky. I just love the silky feel of freshly FF'd strings, and slides are much more pleasant sounding without that squeaky sound. Nik
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Post by blooz on Jan 1, 2023 20:18:14 GMT
WD40 might clean your fingerboard, but it won't lubricate it and has plenty of solvent chemicals in it that probably aren't very helpful for the wood. Personally, I wouldn't take it any where near any of my guitars.
I use Fret Doctor. It's not cheap but you only need a couple of drops very irregularly.
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Post by curmudgeon on Jan 1, 2023 22:26:30 GMT
What does this "fast fret" actually do for you? Does it clean your strings , frets or fretboard? I can understand that strings corrode and lose their shine after a while, but they'll last for some weeks/months after.
I polish up my fretboards when I change strings but only with a barely damp duster with Regency gold polish impregnated. I don't make fretboards gungy, and never felt the need to polish my frets.
So, does it extend the look or playability of strings ?
Enquiring minds etc.
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Post by ocarolan on Jan 1, 2023 22:40:16 GMT
curmudgeon - Fast Fret is designed to prolong good sounding string life. It does. Best results come from regular use, but it can "freshen up" the sound of dead strings for a short while too. It does seem to remove a fair bit of crud from strings. It obviously lubricates too, making the strings feel slicker and slightly reducing finger/string squeaks. It is applied via the pad to the strings (and wiped off), but as a consequence it also does contact the fingerboard and imparts a shinier look, esp to dry rosewood ones, but that is not it's primary purpose, although it can be used as a fingerboard "treatment" whatever that means. Keith
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minorkey
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Post by minorkey on Jan 4, 2023 16:22:33 GMT
I've heard tales of WD40 and Johnson's Baby oil being used as they are both mineral-oil based, although I haven't tried either of them (nor have I tried Fast Fret for that matter). At one time I used to de-grease the strings with a baby wipe every so often, but I've fallen out of that habit over the years, and can't really see any difference in the lifespan I get using nothing except the occasional once-over with a microfibre cloth. I restrung today and used baby oil. Works a treat. Smells good too
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Post by NikGnashers on Jan 5, 2023 20:07:34 GMT
What does this "fast fret" actually do for you? Does it clean your strings , frets or fretboard? I can understand that strings corrode and lose their shine after a while, but they'll last for some weeks/months after. I polish up my fretboards when I change strings but only with a barely damp duster with Regency gold polish impregnated. I don't make fretboards gungy, and never felt the need to polish my frets. So, does it extend the look or playability of strings ? Enquiring minds etc. I personally use it to reduce squeak sounds. I don't get it on the fretboard, and use a dedicated fretboard cleaner & oil every 2nd string change (Dr Stringfellow Lem-Oil). If it didn't make much of a difference I wouldn't waste my money, but it does really help me achieve what I want it to do for me, and makes the strings feel very slick, so slides and just general playing sound a lot nicer, without any of that squeak sound, which is something I personally don't like. Each to their own of course, and I'm not suggesting anyone else will get the same benefit, or should spend money on it. Some people like that string noise, and see it as an addition to the sound, and fair play to them. I just wanted to try and find out what is actually in the ingredients of Fast Fret, and thought if I knew what was in it, there is bound to be a cheaper way to get the same results. If it cleans the grot from the strings and makes them last longer and sound fresher, then that is a bonus.
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