Moonsorrow
New member
Is an Ebony Fretboard pretty much the same as Rosewood as far as cleaning/conditioning it by using Lemon Oil, or is there something better to use?
Lemon Oil for an Ebony Fretboard?
- Thread starter Moonsorrow
- Start date
vinterland
New member
Re: Lemon Oil for an Ebony Fretboard?
You need to oil ebony more often than rosewood but as long as you use an oil that's safe for guitars you're good to go.
You need to oil ebony more often than rosewood but as long as you use an oil that's safe for guitars you're good to go.
JacksonMIA
Lemur-buckerologist
Re: Lemon Oil for an Ebony Fretboard?
Ebony needs a little drink every once in a while. Rosewood can go indefinitely under normal conditions. I use Dunlop lemon oil, but there are several out there that will work just fine.
+1
Ebony needs a little drink every once in a while. Rosewood can go indefinitely under normal conditions. I use Dunlop lemon oil, but there are several out there that will work just fine.
Moonsorrow
New member
Re: Lemon Oil for an Ebony Fretboard?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Sludgenutz
New member
Re: Lemon Oil for an Ebony Fretboard?
I use Fret Doctor. Regular lemon oil/petroleum based products just sit on ebony. Fret Doctor penetrates, and goes away!
http://www.beafifer.com/boredoctor.htm
There are threads on the stuff here on forum. Everyone who tries it, loves it. The fella who sells it is great at fast shipment.
I use Fret Doctor. Regular lemon oil/petroleum based products just sit on ebony. Fret Doctor penetrates, and goes away!
http://www.beafifer.com/boredoctor.htm
There are threads on the stuff here on forum. Everyone who tries it, loves it. The fella who sells it is great at fast shipment.
vinterland
New member
Re: Lemon Oil for an Ebony Fretboard?
That's why you give ebony some "soak" time. I typically wait a couple minutes before wiping it off.
That's why you give ebony some "soak" time. I typically wait a couple minutes before wiping it off.
Sludgenutz
New member
Re: Lemon Oil for an Ebony Fretboard?
My reply is not to be combative, or overly-opinionated. Everyone has their faves......
Soak time or not, Fret Doctor is faster penetrating on the same ebony plank. It is miraculous at penetrating and not laying on the fretboard, like a bum on the street.
Fret Doctor totally penetrates rosewood, as if it were made of cork! The penetration is even more apparent, than on ebony!
Maybe I should state that Fret Doctor can applied when the strings are replaced...and one does not have to deal with the odd "oily" feeling of other common fretboard treatments. I don't observe that Fret Doctor interferes with the "new strings feel", two or three days later, as other products do. This goes for electric/acoustic/classical strings.
My reply is not to be combative, or overly-opinionated. Everyone has their faves......
Soak time or not, Fret Doctor is faster penetrating on the same ebony plank. It is miraculous at penetrating and not laying on the fretboard, like a bum on the street.
Fret Doctor totally penetrates rosewood, as if it were made of cork! The penetration is even more apparent, than on ebony!
Maybe I should state that Fret Doctor can applied when the strings are replaced...and one does not have to deal with the odd "oily" feeling of other common fretboard treatments. I don't observe that Fret Doctor interferes with the "new strings feel", two or three days later, as other products do. This goes for electric/acoustic/classical strings.
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Ayrton
New member
Re: Lemon Oil for an Ebony Fretboard?
Lemon oil is nothing more than mineral oil with lemon smell. Do yourself a favor and use bore oil only.
http://www.beafifer.com/boredoctor.htm
Lemon oil is nothing more than mineral oil with lemon smell. Do yourself a favor and use bore oil only.
http://www.beafifer.com/boredoctor.htm
d1dsj
Cornographer
Re: Lemon Oil for an Ebony Fretboard?
Weird, I find that my Ebony boarded guitars require LESS maintainance than the Rosewood ones... the Rosewood seems to dry out faster? I only do mine once every 6-8 weeks and I only really wipe them over, I was told that any oil on fret board should be used sparingly as the wood with soften which seems to make sense?
Weird, I find that my Ebony boarded guitars require LESS maintainance than the Rosewood ones... the Rosewood seems to dry out faster? I only do mine once every 6-8 weeks and I only really wipe them over, I was told that any oil on fret board should be used sparingly as the wood with soften which seems to make sense?
Moonsorrow
New member
Re: Lemon Oil for an Ebony Fretboard?
Hmmmm interesting. I`ll have to check that out.
Hmmmm interesting. I`ll have to check that out.
D
DLT
Guest
Redmist
New member
Re: Lemon Oil for an Ebony Fretboard?
A good ebony board only needs cleaned with REAL lemon oil when it gets grubby.
It is less porous than rosewood but if it was well dried before processing at the factory, it should not crack or split, and as most ebony boards are on top end guitars, this should be the case.
You will get many opinions on here about this, and even the manufacturers have varying opinions on the subject.
A search on here will confuse you even more!
A good ebony board only needs cleaned with REAL lemon oil when it gets grubby.
It is less porous than rosewood but if it was well dried before processing at the factory, it should not crack or split, and as most ebony boards are on top end guitars, this should be the case.
You will get many opinions on here about this, and even the manufacturers have varying opinions on the subject.
A search on here will confuse you even more!
wanmei1
New member
Re: Lemon Oil for an Ebony Fretboard?
Yeah, I noticed that it penetrates so fast ( as you said ) that it's almost like it's EVAPORATING !
mediumpimpin
New member
Re: Lemon Oil for an Ebony Fretboard?
Ditto, you can usually look at it and know if it needs to be oiled. I've not had probs, but I've been told too much will make the board swell and frets poke out.
I use lemon oil and give it about 10 min or so to soak in, then wipe it good. After it's dry, I put a coat of bore oil on and wait again. Works pretty good on my axes.
Ditto, you can usually look at it and know if it needs to be oiled. I've not had probs, but I've been told too much will make the board swell and frets poke out.
I use lemon oil and give it about 10 min or so to soak in, then wipe it good. After it's dry, I put a coat of bore oil on and wait again. Works pretty good on my axes.
Ayrton
New member
Re: Lemon Oil for an Ebony Fretboard?
Why would you even bother with "lemon oil" when you have bore oil?
There is no such thing as "lemon oil", only mineral oil with lemon in it. Not only that, but lemon juice is acidic and will corrode the frets.
The wood will tell you what it needs. Apply the oil, and let it soak in for 5-10 minutes, then wipe off the excess.
Why would you even bother with "lemon oil" when you have bore oil?
There is no such thing as "lemon oil", only mineral oil with lemon in it. Not only that, but lemon juice is acidic and will corrode the frets.
The wood will tell you what it needs. Apply the oil, and let it soak in for 5-10 minutes, then wipe off the excess.
