I own a Jackson USA soloist and a BC Rich Mockingbird exotic classic made in Korea both with ebony boards. have owned the jackson for 1 year and the rich for 3. I did a string change on them the other day and noticed they both had some cracks in the fretboard, spreading 3 frets. I use lemon oil every time I change strings, the necks don't warp very much so I don't think its humidity change. What is causing this? any help?
Ebony fretboard cracks????
- Thread starter andrew11
- Start date
Re: Ebony fretboard cracks????
DON'T USE LEMON OIL!
http://www.doctorsprod.com/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=14
Two more nice guitars down for the count.
DON'T USE LEMON OIL!
http://www.doctorsprod.com/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=14
Two more nice guitars down for the count.
phil_104
Cheesesteakologist
Re: Ebony fretboard cracks????
See, what Don P is saying is that you should never use lemon oil on fretboard, because some people argue that it damages the wood.
I strongly disagree with this fact, as I have been using lemon oil on certain guitars for over 10 years now, and it still works very, very well, and the wood is in perfect condition.
The problem might be over-hydrating the wood though. I mean, I use oil on my fretboard twice a year, and I have pretty toxic hands. Treating it every 2 months seems like a lot.
Like I said, I am no expert, but it does seem a bit excessive. Hopefully some more knowledgeable forumite will chime in, and give you a better answer.
See, what Don P is saying is that you should never use lemon oil on fretboard, because some people argue that it damages the wood.
I strongly disagree with this fact, as I have been using lemon oil on certain guitars for over 10 years now, and it still works very, very well, and the wood is in perfect condition.
The problem might be over-hydrating the wood though. I mean, I use oil on my fretboard twice a year, and I have pretty toxic hands. Treating it every 2 months seems like a lot.
Like I said, I am no expert, but it does seem a bit excessive. Hopefully some more knowledgeable forumite will chime in, and give you a better answer.
cakire82
Cake Mire
Re: Ebony fretboard cracks????
Your USA Jackson should be covered for FREE under limited life time warranty if you didn't voided it in some way. I have had the same problem couple months ago...
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=184468
Your USA Jackson should be covered for FREE under limited life time warranty if you didn't voided it in some way. I have had the same problem couple months ago...
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=184468
Bludave
New member
Re: Ebony fretboard cracks????
I use lemon oil all the time on my guitars that have rosewood or ebony. Just don't overdo it. I put a dab on a rag and wipe it down then follow up with a dry cloth and wipe off the excess. I also polish the frets with 00000 steel wool every other string change. If you decide to do this make sure you tape off the fingerboard and cover the pickups with tape also. I use 2 pieces of tape one above and one below the fret, polish & move the tape the next fret. I do this before I oil the board.
I use lemon oil all the time on my guitars that have rosewood or ebony. Just don't overdo it. I put a dab on a rag and wipe it down then follow up with a dry cloth and wipe off the excess. I also polish the frets with 00000 steel wool every other string change. If you decide to do this make sure you tape off the fingerboard and cover the pickups with tape also. I use 2 pieces of tape one above and one below the fret, polish & move the tape the next fret. I do this before I oil the board.
David Collins
New member
Re: Ebony fretboard cracks????
+1
Many woods being used in production guitars is still a shade green and unseasoned today. Simple repair though, and lay off the lemon oil.
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=189680
+1
Many woods being used in production guitars is still a shade green and unseasoned today. Simple repair though, and lay off the lemon oil.
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=189680
Re: Ebony fretboard cracks????
Cracks wouldn't form because the wood is too moist, it would form if its too dry?
How come NO ONE asked where he was storing the guitars, humidity, temperature fluctuations, I could see any of that being the reason, but definitely not lemon oil.
Cracks wouldn't form because the wood is too moist, it would form if its too dry?
How come NO ONE asked where he was storing the guitars, humidity, temperature fluctuations, I could see any of that being the reason, but definitely not lemon oil.
Peter Crossley
Active member
Re: Ebony fretboard cracks????
+1 on that...
I once cut a piece of ebony from a plank, sent it through the drum sander, put it on the neck, and then I noticed fine surface cracks.
What happens, is that a plank of ebony will develop "shakes" which are surface cracks. The ebony below the surface is usually fine, but it looks crap..
It could quite possibly be that your board is from the outside of a plank.
The shakes are unsightly at best, and will open up even more, eventually going all through the board.
Not good news, I know, but thats ebony for you. Its a brilliant fretboard timber, but it does need careful selection, initially, and then care with oil.
I use lemon oil, its OK, its an oil. you could use light machine oil, almond oil, canola oil, Mr.Sheen, or good old fashioned Snake Oil.. its all oil.
+1 on that...
I once cut a piece of ebony from a plank, sent it through the drum sander, put it on the neck, and then I noticed fine surface cracks.
What happens, is that a plank of ebony will develop "shakes" which are surface cracks. The ebony below the surface is usually fine, but it looks crap..
It could quite possibly be that your board is from the outside of a plank.
The shakes are unsightly at best, and will open up even more, eventually going all through the board.
Not good news, I know, but thats ebony for you. Its a brilliant fretboard timber, but it does need careful selection, initially, and then care with oil.
I use lemon oil, its OK, its an oil. you could use light machine oil, almond oil, canola oil, Mr.Sheen, or good old fashioned Snake Oil.. its all oil.
David Collins
New member
Re: Ebony fretboard cracks????
Just as a reminder though - oils do nothing to hydrate wood. What they do is help slow the transfer of moisture, but if you allow it to stay in dry conditions for too long, it doesn't matter what or how much of any oil or wax you put on a board, it will eventually dry out.
Still, in this case I think uOpt is probably right. A lot of guitars are just being built with poorly seasoned wood, and this happens. Fortunately it's not a big deal at all. fingerboard cracks can glued and filled with CA, scraped and polished, and you'll be fine.
Just as a reminder though - oils do nothing to hydrate wood. What they do is help slow the transfer of moisture, but if you allow it to stay in dry conditions for too long, it doesn't matter what or how much of any oil or wax you put on a board, it will eventually dry out.
Still, in this case I think uOpt is probably right. A lot of guitars are just being built with poorly seasoned wood, and this happens. Fortunately it's not a big deal at all. fingerboard cracks can glued and filled with CA, scraped and polished, and you'll be fine.
lex666
New member
Re: Ebony fretboard cracks????
I have 3 guitars with ebony fretboards. I use that dunlop lemon oil stuff whenever I change strings which is about every 2 - 3 months. No problems with cracking at all...
I agree with the other guys, it must be a poor piece of wood. Do a seach on this forum, I'm pretty sure there was a way to fill in the cracks, sand, and re-finish to look as good as new.
I have 3 guitars with ebony fretboards. I use that dunlop lemon oil stuff whenever I change strings which is about every 2 - 3 months. No problems with cracking at all...
I agree with the other guys, it must be a poor piece of wood. Do a seach on this forum, I'm pretty sure there was a way to fill in the cracks, sand, and re-finish to look as good as new.
briggleman
New member
Re: Ebony fretboard cracks????
The only thing I have heard..... that is the operative word... HEARD... not experienced... with too much oil on the fretboard will cause frets to push out of the slots due to the expansion. As long as the oil is applied and then wiped off, there should be no problem. If the oil is allow to sit on the fret board, then the above issue could happen.... or so I have been informed.
In my many years of guitar ownership, I have yet to have an acoustic or electric damaged due to humidity or dryness issues. I do have a 1964 Gibson Melody Maker that has typical finish cracks over its entire body. I think that was just the finish and its age. I use turtle wax on my acoustic finishes. It works great and is even recommended now by Taylor. (Specific formulation, see Taylor website for what it is called, I cannot remember, not at home to go look at it)
Brad
The only thing I have heard..... that is the operative word... HEARD... not experienced... with too much oil on the fretboard will cause frets to push out of the slots due to the expansion. As long as the oil is applied and then wiped off, there should be no problem. If the oil is allow to sit on the fret board, then the above issue could happen.... or so I have been informed.
In my many years of guitar ownership, I have yet to have an acoustic or electric damaged due to humidity or dryness issues. I do have a 1964 Gibson Melody Maker that has typical finish cracks over its entire body. I think that was just the finish and its age. I use turtle wax on my acoustic finishes. It works great and is even recommended now by Taylor. (Specific formulation, see Taylor website for what it is called, I cannot remember, not at home to go look at it)
Brad
GuitarStv
Sock Market Trader
Re: Ebony fretboard cracks????
I've used Dunlop fret board conditioner (the one with the big 02 on the bottle front) for years on rosewood fret boards with no problems or issues whatsoever. I apply it every time that I change strings, wipe it off after a few minutes and haven't had any problems. I don't think that lemon oil would cause cracking.
I've used Dunlop fret board conditioner (the one with the big 02 on the bottle front) for years on rosewood fret boards with no problems or issues whatsoever. I apply it every time that I change strings, wipe it off after a few minutes and haven't had any problems. I don't think that lemon oil would cause cracking.
