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Sticks in extreme Northern climates
https://www.stickist.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=11838		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  baggetthouse [ Tue Jan 10, 2017 7:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Sticks in extreme Northern climates
Hi all.

I immigrated to Canada from Texas almost seven years ago. Every winter I've been dealing with the sharp edges of the fret rods sticking past the fretboard due to wood shrinkage. This year seems worse than ever. My stick is a 1996 built 10-string laminated maple. 2005 was the last time SE did work on it.

Of course, my instrument stays in my studio at normal room temps. But it's a brutal winter this year at -22C highs on average.

I assume these frets need to be filed down. But I was wondering if it would make a difference in the long run since this is a yearly problem (ie: the wood expands back in place in the summer, but could probably use a filing anyways).

Didn't know if it was worth the expense to ship to SE...which is located in a warmer climate...so would that make the problems go away during shipping? Or maybe I should enquire with a local luthier in the nearby city of Regina.
Author:  Jayesskerr [ Tue Jan 10, 2017 8:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sticks in extreme Northern climates
Hey bud, I feel your pain! Grande Prairie, Alberta! I have ONE thing that I have always used on my guitars and basses to protect from "chainsaw frets" and that's this;

Mineral oil. (3 bucks a bottle, plus you can DRINK it! lol)

It can be found at your local pharmacy, and when the neck is dried out apply as required. I used it on my Stick, and I swear I could hear The Stick say "thanks, man". Watch out for your velcro strips, though...
Author:  Alain [ Wed Jan 11, 2017 5:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Sticks in extreme Northern climates
I use baby oil or sewing machine oil...both are fine. Also a machine for humidity in your house. We have to heat our houses so much with this crazy winter...
Author:  WerkSpace [ Wed Jan 11, 2017 7:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Sticks in extreme Northern climates
You need a humidifier in your house. :?
Author:  Jayesskerr [ Wed Jan 11, 2017 8:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Sticks in extreme Northern climates
WerkSpace wrote:
You need a humidifier in your house. :?


And that. I have a couple in my house, it gets pretty dry...
Author:  baggetthouse [ Wed Jan 11, 2017 8:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Sticks in extreme Northern climates
Hmmm. Humidifier. Don't know why I didn't think of that.

This is in my studio...off site (across town). I try to be there every day. But often I'm away for a few days. It might get crazy trying to keep something like that running unattended. I'll look into it.

I've always used Lemon oil, just because that's what I used from my bass playing days...swamp ash bass, unfinished body.

Thanks.
Author:  WerkSpace [ Wed Jan 11, 2017 10:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Sticks in extreme Northern climates
There's also my portable DIY solution.
Drill some holes into a plastic 'bar soap' box.
Install a damp sponge into the plastic box.
Keep the DIY portable humidifier in your stick box.
Problem solved. (I use this with all of my guitars.)
Image

baggetthouse wrote:
Hmmm. Humidifier. Don't know why I didn't think of that.

This is in my studio...off site (across town). I try to be there every day. But often I'm away for a few days. It might get crazy trying to keep something like that running unattended. I'll look into it.

I've always used Lemon oil, just because that's what I used from my bass playing days...swamp ash bass, unfinished body.

Thanks.
Author:  Jayesskerr [ Wed Jan 11, 2017 11:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Sticks in extreme Northern climates
And in addition to the above, maybe this will help too;

lol Of course, it's proprietary to D'addario products... I personally try to avoid lemon oil; it's acidic and can sometimes break down a Nitrocellulose finish. I swear by mineral oil, hahaha

http://www.daddario.com/upload/FretboardCare2_1879.pdf
Author:  rwkeating [ Wed Jan 11, 2017 3:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sticks in extreme Northern climates
Why not just put more Watco on (if it needs it)?

<my typical Watco rant>
Watco Danish oil is what is used on the wood Sticks. It is an oil finish that seeps into the wood and hardens there forming a protective barrier that allows you to still feel the wood. Putting anything on top of Watco probably won't sink into the wood at all depending how much Watco is already there. When applying additional coats of Watco it brakes down what is there (to a point) and adds to it. You don't want to leave any of it dry on the surface as it will make a very sticky mess that is hard to clean up.
</my typical Watco rant>
Author:  baggetthouse [ Wed Jan 11, 2017 7:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sticks in extreme Northern climates
Great ideas guys. I will do the DIY soap box deal AND check out Watco oil...also to see how my wood box craft will do with Watco.
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