Pyle PBJ60 Maintenance Manual - Page 3

Fingerboard Care, Finish, Metal Parts, Effects Of Temperature And Humidity

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FINGERBOARD CARE To clean the fingerboard, rub it down with fret cleaner, then with a clean cloth rub the oil into the wood, not leaving any excess on the fingerboard. If you notice grooves in your frets, this is normal wear and tear, however if it happens within a year you may be pressing harder than necessary when you fret the neck and may be creating more fret wear than normal. Try using a lighter touch. FINISH Waxing the finish of the neck and resonator protects as well as shines it. Avoid commercial furniture polishes containing harsh chemicals or silicone which can eventually ruin the finish. If you spill water or alcohol on your banjo, wipe it off immediately because it can leave a cloudy spot. HEAD If you prefer a clean head, use "Formula 409" or similar cleaner and a white cotton cloth. METAL PARTS The metal parts have a thin layer of chrome called "plating," which can be worn off. You can polish chrome parts with an automotive chrome polish, not cleaner, but it is easy to get polish caught under the hooks when you do this. You can use a clean polishing cloth to wipe fingerprints off daily without harming the plating. EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY The survival of your banjo depends greatly on the environment you put it in. Made largely of wood, the banjo is easily affected by changes in temperature and humidity. It is important then, that you take all possible steps to maintain your banjo at room temperature If you must take your banjo out in freezing temperatures, keep it in a case. When you bring it inside, let it sit in the case so that it can come up to room temperature slowly. Humid weather increases the moisture content of the wood, causing it to expand or swell. A gradual increase in humidity won't generally do permanent damage; but high humidity in combination with high temperature can weaken glue joints or even open them up. A skin head tends to expand or loosen when the humidity rises, and tighten when the humidity drops, considerably affecting the sound of the banjo. For this reason, it is best to tighten the head annually depending on the weather of your area. Sudden drops in local humidity are the most dangerous weather changes for a banjo. You should keep a case humidifier in the case.

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FINGERBOARD CARE
To clean the fingerboard, rub it down with fret cleaner, then with a clean cloth rub the oil into the
wood, not leaving any excess on the fingerboard.
If you notice grooves in your frets, this is normal wear and tear, however if it happens within a
year you may be pressing harder than necessary when you fret the neck and may be creating
more fret wear than normal. Try using a lighter touch.
FINISH
Waxing the finish of the neck and resonator protects as well as shines it.
Avoid commercial furniture polishes containing harsh chemicals or silicone which can eventually
ruin the finish. If you spill water or alcohol on your banjo, wipe it off immediately because it can
leave a cloudy spot.
HEAD
If you prefer a clean head, use "Formula 409" or similar cleaner and a white cotton cloth.
METAL PARTS
The metal parts have a thin layer of chrome called "plating," which can be worn off. You can
polish chrome parts with an automotive chrome polish, not cleaner, but it is easy to get polish
caught under the hooks when you do this. You can use a clean polishing cloth to wipe
fingerprints off daily without harming the plating.
EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY
The survival of your banjo depends greatly on the environment you put it in. Made largely of
wood, the banjo is easily affected by changes in temperature and humidity. It is important then,
that you take all possible steps to maintain your banjo at room temperature If you must take
your banjo out in freezing temperatures, keep it in a case. When you bring it inside, let it sit in
the case so that it can come up to room temperature slowly.
Humid weather increases the moisture content of the wood, causing it to expand or swell. A
gradual increase in humidity won't generally do permanent damage; but high humidity in
combination with high temperature can weaken glue joints or even open them up.
A skin head tends to expand or loosen when the humidity rises, and tighten when the humidity
drops, considerably affecting the sound of the banjo. For this reason, it is best to tighten the
head annually depending on the weather of your area.
Sudden drops in local humidity are the most dangerous weather changes for a banjo. You
should keep a case humidifier in the case.