The demise of Fast Fret

Tannin

I started to post a thread asking this:

How long does Fast Fret last for? 

Do you just keep using it until it is all gone? Or do you replace it after a certain time? Also, how often do you reapply it? 

Before posting, I looked on the manufacturer's website, only to discover that they have completely borked the product. It no longer has the rolled cotton applicator (that has been replaced with felt) and it no longer comes in a tin. The customer response has been pretty clear - people hate it.

https://www.ghsstrings.com/products/11464-fast-fret?category_id=1964826-lubricants-cleaners

So the question is no longer "How long does Fast Fret last for before I replace it with a new one? It seems to be "How long can I keep using my Fast Fret and what other product should I replace it with when the time comes?

CHRISB50

I still have one from the 90s. Used it a couple of weeks ago. It’s fine. 

digitalkettle

Time to list some old tins in classifieds?

Loobs

I use butter

bluecat

The tub of fast fret I have got,I have had for nearly 22 years. I know it is that long because I got it when I got my Fender strat for my fiftieth birthday. The one I have has a wooden handle on the applicator. I am still using it.

Loobs

I don't get it. Isn't it completely dry? Mine dried up in a few months...

merlin

I had a couple a long time ago and they dried the f**k up. Before that, they left little blobs of cotton all over the neck. I use a spray now and a microfibre cloth. Way better. 

bluecat

It feels just the same now as it did then,not overly damp,just infused with some kind of cleaner/polish

skullfunkerry

Loobs said:

I use butter

And how does it play?

skullfunkerry

The first one I had (with the wooden handle) dried up, so I bought a replacement a few years ago… I hated the metal tin, it was razor sharp around the top so I threw that away with the original stick, and kept the new (plastic-handled) stick in the old plastic tin. It’s still going strong, although the cap falls off the stick every single time I take it out of the tin. Judging from the comments on the new design, I’ll be finding something else when this finally needs replacing - although to be fair, that looks like it might be a decade or so from now!

Bigsby

I still have one from the 80s - though it did spend a couple of decades lost in the depths of an abandoned gig bag. I'm currently trying MusicNomad String Fuel, which can be refiled. Just as well as it's already feeling quite dry.

Sassafras

Quick spritz of WD40 on a cotton cloth has the same effect.
Strings become zingy and slick.

rsvmark

Genuinely what’s in it?

Kittyfrisk

It seems the change of container was not a choice, but a response to unavailability.
https://www.ghsstrings.com/products/11464-fast-fret?category_id=1964826-lubricants-cleaners

edit: could have sworn the link I posted was different to @Tannin 's.   Doh!

willo

Get your vintage all-original 1990s Fast Fret (USA spec) on eBay now!

rze99

I dab my end with lemon oil (ooh err) Similar stuff.

Kittyfrisk

rze99 said:

I dab my end with lemon oil (ooh err) Similar stuff.

Mineral oil in both, so why not   Less smelly than WD40 too.
Keep your rosewood boards dark at the same time

stonevibe

Does it still have the wooden handle?

hollywoodrox

Loobs said:

I don't get it. Isn't it completely dry? Mine dried up in a few months...

This is what I’ve always experienced with it ,however much I tried to look after it  it would go bone dry 

hollywoodrox

stonevibe said:

Does it still have the wooden handle?

Doesn’t look like it 

hollywoodrox

merlin said:

I had a couple a long time ago and they dried the f**k up. Before that, they left little blobs of cotton all over the neck. I use a spray now and a microfibre cloth. Way better. 

Yes mine left frayed bits all on the strings . I’m currently using lemon oil sprayed on a bandana now