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Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
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pedals 4 pv
Platinum Member
Canada
1351 Posts |
 Posted - 03/19/2008 : 09:59:14
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I use Fender fretboard conditioner on all my guitars, every second string change. It doesn't discolour the rosewood and it gives a glorious shine to the ebony board on my Les Paul. I find that along with a new set of strings, it makes the guitar feel and play like new. |
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FRANZONI
Double Platinum Member
Ireland
3543 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2008 : 11:32:56
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Guilty of using olive oil and baby oil over the years...never liked the way lemon oil left my guitars with rosewood or ebony fingerboards..... i draw the line at using ear wax..... gross..!!.. ..i can't believe that someone actually posted that on a forum....has to be a wind up.......... |
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happyplucker
Bronze Member
United Kingdom
126 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2008 : 11:42:57
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i like lemon oil, dr stringfellows lemon oil, get all that grime out of rosewood grain. never used it on maple, can you?
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2008 : 12:28:42
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quote:
Originally posted by happyplucker
i like lemon oil, dr stringfellows lemon oil, get all that grime out of rosewood grain. never used it on maple, can you?
Hi happyplucker & guys
What method do you use to apply it, & how much do you use?
Do you attempt to slight clean the fretboard first?
What about the grime & dead bits of skin build up, along the edges of the frets?
Regards Dr. Bob |
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Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2008 : 14:23:26
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quote:
Originally posted by Dr. Bob
What method do you use to apply it, & how much do you use?
Do you attempt to slight clean the fretboard first?
What about the grime & dead bits of skin build up, along the edges of the frets?
Regards Dr. Bob
G'day all! I use lemon oil on my rosewood necks, applied with a (new) "hard" toothbrush. The lemon oil removes the gunk, no need to clean anything first. I give the fretboard a good scrubbing with the toothbrush to get the gunk off then leave it for a while to soak in, then apply a heavy second coat and let that soak in then polish with a clean cloth. Works a treat, feels great, and lasts for years 
Laurie. |
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4evrnewB
Silver Member
Canada
322 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2008 : 19:55:10
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| I also use laurie's method... |
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August West
Bronze Member
USA
137 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2008 : 21:30:40
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FYI, from the Martin Guitar website about lemon oil:
"Frequently Asked Questions
Q - Can I use lemon oil on my fingerboard?
A - We do not recommend using lemon oil on our fingerboards. The acids in lemon oil break down the finish of our guitars. It may also aid the corrosion of the frets and lessen the life of the strings."
This would be for their acoustic and hollow body guitars of course and not a Fender Strat. |
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Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2008 : 22:35:25
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quote:
Originally posted by August West
FYI, from the Martin Guitar website about lemon oil:
"Frequently Asked Questions
Q - Can I use lemon oil on my fingerboard?
A - We do not recommend using lemon oil on our fingerboards. The acids in lemon oil break down the finish of our guitars. It may also aid the corrosion of the frets and lessen the life of the strings."
This would be for their acoustic and hollow body guitars of course and not a Fender Strat.
Definitely worth knowing. Sheesh...time to rethink the approach. |
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jack
Platinum Member
USA
1418 Posts |
Posted - 03/20/2008 : 01:48:31
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quote:
Originally posted by lauries2
quote:
Originally posted by August West
FYI, from the Martin Guitar website about lemon oil:
"Frequently Asked Questions
Q - Can I use lemon oil on my fingerboard?
A - We do not recommend using lemon oil on our fingerboards. The acids in lemon oil break down the finish of our guitars. It may also aid the corrosion of the frets and lessen the life of the strings."
This would be for their acoustic and hollow body guitars of course and not a Fender Strat.
Definitely worth knowing. Sheesh...time to rethink the approach.
Especially once you hear that the neck on the Hohner L-75 I have had for 20 years has never had the neck oiled, and everything seems fine to me... |
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Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 03/20/2008 : 02:51:34
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| I'm actually kinda worried about this now... I wonder how to get a definitive answer? I've been using lemon oil for maybe 10 years with no problem (but how does it all look in 20, 30, or 40 years - not that I'll be the owner at that time!!) |
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August West
Bronze Member
USA
137 Posts |
Posted - 03/20/2008 : 14:35:35
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| I don't mean to scare anyone - it may be just fine on your guitar. The finish Martin uses is likely different than what yo have and it could very well be that there is no issue. You may want to just check the website of whatever guitar manufacturer you have and see if they have a "guitar care" FAQ that speaks to this - that's how I found this on the Martin site. I am not sure but Martin may still be using nitrocellulose (many claim the tone is better even thogh it is a less robust finish) and maybe this is a specific concern to that type of finish. I happen to have a Martin so that's the only reason I was looking. I have not been to the PRS site to see if I could use lemon oil on my Santana SE. Maybe I'll check the site. |
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August West
Bronze Member
USA
137 Posts |
Posted - 03/20/2008 : 14:44:03
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This is from the PRS web site
"For the cleaning and conditioning of a rosewood fretboard, rosewood neck optioned McCarty solidbody, 513 Rosewood neck/fretboard or the neck/fretboard of your Modern Eagle model we recommend the use of a quality lemon oil. This should also clean tarnished frets as well as dirt built up on your fretboard if used with a toothbrush. After the lemon oil is applied, thoroughly wipe down all of the surfaces with a soft, clean, dry cloth and seal it with a quality furniture polish. The natural oils in your hands, over time, should seal and treat the rosewood as well. *Do not oil the headstock of your McCarty Rosewood, as it may cause the headstock logo to lift."
So they say you can use it except for on the headstock on one model. Seems to me the answer is to check this for each type of guitar you have as it may not be a "one size fits all" thing with the lemon oil |
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August West
Bronze Member
USA
137 Posts |
Posted - 03/20/2008 : 20:00:46
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And finally,
Responses on a Martin Guitar forum are pretty unanimous that all Martin guitars use some form of nitrocellulose finish which is less rugged (and apparently can be attacked by lemon oil) than the lacquer finishes used on most modern electric guitars.
As on this forum there is a debate regarding the need to use oil on the fretboard at all with a number of people on both sides of that.
I think this implies that modern electric guitars are generally OK for lemon oil but on vintage guitars with nitro finishes (and any other guitars with nitro finishes like Martin) you should not use lemon oil. |
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silvertone6120
Gold Member
USA
609 Posts |
Posted - 03/20/2008 : 21:56:37
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Old guitars and new, I use Linseed oil on all my guitars. I've heard too many stories about lemon oil to even think of using that.
I just put a little dab of linseed oil onto a cloth and wipe the fretboard thoroughly, then wipe it clean after a few minutes.
In the same token I'm not anal about it at all. I've wiped down the fingerboard on my Gretsch White Falcon probably twice in the last year and a half, while I have other instruments that I've had for years and haven't even thought about wiping the boards down. I guess I wipe them down if the board feels particularly funky. |
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One-Way
Bronze Member
New Zealand
104 Posts |
Posted - 03/21/2008 : 10:31:07
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I like to use Danish oil on unlaquered fingerboards.
Use 0000 steel wool and polish frets and clean fingerboard. Cover pickups first so steel wool bits dont stick to them. I always vacuum clean the fret board to remove all traces of dust and dirt. Then pour a little onto a cotton rag apply thickly and leave for a couple of minutes to soak in and then wipe off evenly. Leave to dry and do a second coat and the fingerboard looks like new. I use it on all my new builds and when doing repairs on friends guitars.
On lacquered Maple fingerboards that have worn thru I would use Linseed oil as it has a darker amber colour that is a better match. |
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Topic |
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Oiling fretboards
