jalguitarman
Junior Member
Would either one of these be a good finish option for a 1-piece maple neck???
Thanks as always.
Thanks as always.
Tung oil or tru-oil for maple.
- Thread starter jalguitarman
- Start date
jalguitarman
Junior Member
Re: Tung oil or tru-oil for maple.
Cool. I have heard of them being used with maple necks with other fretboard material but i was unsure how it would work for an all maple neck as I have heard they are prone to warping unfinished.
It makes sense with one of these finishes you would get maximum resonance.
Thanks!!
Cool. I have heard of them being used with maple necks with other fretboard material but i was unsure how it would work for an all maple neck as I have heard they are prone to warping unfinished.
It makes sense with one of these finishes you would get maximum resonance.
Thanks!!
theboatcandream
dreamonologist
Re: Tung oil or tru-oil for maple.
I have tung oil on a maple neck and I love it. Just make sure you cut it before you apply it.
What's tru-oil?
I have tung oil on a maple neck and I love it. Just make sure you cut it before you apply it.
What's tru-oil?
jmh151
Active member
Re: Tung oil or tru-oil for maple.
Tru-Oil is gunstock oil. It's made by Birchwood Casey. You can find it at cheaperthandirt.com or a local gun store.
Tru-Oil is gunstock oil. It's made by Birchwood Casey. You can find it at cheaperthandirt.com or a local gun store.
jalguitarman
Junior Member
Re: Tung oil or tru-oil for maple.
So the oils will not raise the frets on a maple board then?
So the oils will not raise the frets on a maple board then?
Re: Tung oil or tru-oil for maple.
Nope.
Tru oil has been know to gum up and rub off unlike Tung oil. There are numerous posts on the Warmoth forums about that.
Scott
Nope.
Tru oil has been know to gum up and rub off unlike Tung oil. There are numerous posts on the Warmoth forums about that.
Scott
Curly
Moe's Bluesman
Re: Tung oil or tru-oil for maple.
although Tru Oil contains oils, it is really a varnish, and dries to a hard finish
you will likely have build up around the frets, but it does not cause the problem that say, excess lemon oil will.
I've found the best way to remove any excess is with a buffing wheel and fine powders, which polish the frets at the same time that they remove excess. You could do this by hand but it's tedious.
Which ever method you use, the important thing is to avoid scratching the frets, which is worse than leaving excess oil buildup that would most likely rub off eventually. Buff and polish parallel to the frets -- that is, across the width of the fretboard rather than along the length.
although Tru Oil contains oils, it is really a varnish, and dries to a hard finish
you will likely have build up around the frets, but it does not cause the problem that say, excess lemon oil will.
I've found the best way to remove any excess is with a buffing wheel and fine powders, which polish the frets at the same time that they remove excess. You could do this by hand but it's tedious.
Which ever method you use, the important thing is to avoid scratching the frets, which is worse than leaving excess oil buildup that would most likely rub off eventually. Buff and polish parallel to the frets -- that is, across the width of the fretboard rather than along the length.
scottish
WeirdScienceologist
Re: Tung oil or tru-oil for maple.
Anyone suffering this problem didnt apply the tru-oil properly. It dries rock solid and feels smooth and unfinished. Ive never encountered any kind of problems with a tru-oil finish and i would highly recommend it to any1. Best stuff i have found is birchwood casey. Its used for gun stocks.
Anyone suffering this problem didnt apply the tru-oil properly. It dries rock solid and feels smooth and unfinished. Ive never encountered any kind of problems with a tru-oil finish and i would highly recommend it to any1. Best stuff i have found is birchwood casey. Its used for gun stocks.
scottish
WeirdScienceologist
Re: Tung oil or tru-oil for maple.
Maple necks warp if they are unfinished because unlike rosewood, maple is not naturally oily enough to keep moisture out. The water gets inside and rots the wood from the inside out. They def require a full finish if you want it to have a full life expectancy. Tru-oil or tung oil will work as good as lacquer but id recommend tru-oil over either for ease of application and finishing and it feels smooth, almost unfinished.
Maple necks warp if they are unfinished because unlike rosewood, maple is not naturally oily enough to keep moisture out. The water gets inside and rots the wood from the inside out. They def require a full finish if you want it to have a full life expectancy. Tru-oil or tung oil will work as good as lacquer but id recommend tru-oil over either for ease of application and finishing and it feels smooth, almost unfinished.
jalguitarman
Junior Member
Re: Tung oil or tru-oil for maple.
correct me if I am wrong on this Curly. I have heard it said that a nitro finish allows the wood to breath more than a poly finish will. So would it be correct that a tru-oil finish will allow the wood to breath more than a nitro finish will? Just curious. Thanks for your advice.
jalguitarman
Junior Member
Re: Tung oil or tru-oil for maple.
So tru-oil will give a good enough finish for the maple neck and board to have a full life expectancy????
So tru-oil will give a good enough finish for the maple neck and board to have a full life expectancy????
Curly
Moe's Bluesman
Re: Tung oil or tru-oil for maple.
also, it's easy to use at home
as far as providing full life expectancy, Music Man must feel so, since they use Tru Oil to finish their necks
if you are really concerned, you can do a couple of things-- use a shellac base coat, and protect the final finish with a coat of wax, such as bees wax.
I don't know which one breaths more, but I prefer the look and feel of Tru Oil.
also, it's easy to use at home
first, I don't think it's a given that an unfinished maple neck WILL warp -- it MAY warp if it's subjected to a lot of climate change and improper truss rod adjustment. That said, I prefer a finished neck, but I know some players who really like a raw neck.
as far as providing full life expectancy, Music Man must feel so, since they use Tru Oil to finish their necks
if you are really concerned, you can do a couple of things-- use a shellac base coat, and protect the final finish with a coat of wax, such as bees wax.
Moonsorrow
New member
Re: Tung oil or tru-oil for maple.
Tung Oil all the way!!! I have it on all my Carvin necks (all maple and maple/ebony) and love it!
Tung Oil all the way!!! I have it on all my Carvin necks (all maple and maple/ebony) and love it!
scottish
WeirdScienceologist
Re: Tung oil or tru-oil for maple.
I would say yes. I havent had a tru-oiled neck for long enough to say 100% but i know a few pretty well known builders and they all give tru-oil thumbs up.
Like curly said, the ease of application makes it a good option to apply at home.
I would say yes. I havent had a tru-oiled neck for long enough to say 100% but i know a few pretty well known builders and they all give tru-oil thumbs up.
Like curly said, the ease of application makes it a good option to apply at home.
