RiceCustomRich
New member
Re: using lemon oil on fretboards...
Thanks! Good to be here.
Thanks! Good to be here.
using lemon oil on fretboards...
- Thread starter devilfish
- Start date
Pete Galati
New member
Re: using lemon oil on fretboards...
Just tried the olive oil Rich. Looks nice. It's gone from looking like dry rosewood, to looking darker and.... richer. Looks a lot better. Thanks. Looks more like necks I've had for a while.
Pete
Just tried the olive oil Rich. Looks nice. It's gone from looking like dry rosewood, to looking darker and.... richer. Looks a lot better. Thanks. Looks more like necks I've had for a while.
Pete
The Golden Boy
Fleecy Sweaterologist
Re: using lemon oil on fretboards...
Rich, if you're one of the dudes from Rice Custom Guitars- you guys make some beautiful instruments!!
You should put a link in your sig...
Rich, if you're one of the dudes from Rice Custom Guitars- you guys make some beautiful instruments!!
You should put a link in your sig...
RiceCustomRich
New member
Re: using lemon oil on fretboards...
Thanks! Yep, I build 'em with my son, Chris. I'll try to figure out how to do that...
Thanks! Yep, I build 'em with my son, Chris. I'll try to figure out how to do that...
thespricket
New member
Re: using lemon oil on fretboards...
I use 3 in 1 oil on my strat. I rub a bit on the saddles, the nut, the frets, and a bit on the strings. It makes a world of difference. I try not to get any on the actual fretboard, but i dont think it's harmful.
I use 3 in 1 oil on my strat. I rub a bit on the saddles, the nut, the frets, and a bit on the strings. It makes a world of difference. I try not to get any on the actual fretboard, but i dont think it's harmful.
pinto79
New member
Re: using lemon oil on fretboards...
I use Trick Percussion Fretboard cleaner to clean. It rips through even the oldest finger goo with ease and dries quickly. To oil, I use one I got from a guy I bought pickups from. www.ericsguitars.com I believe... It's largly bore oil which works well for me. I've used it to oil the backs of maple necks too... that reminds me, I'm running low, I should order some...
I also use/have used Circa 1850 Lemon Oil with great results.
I use Trick Percussion Fretboard cleaner to clean. It rips through even the oldest finger goo with ease and dries quickly. To oil, I use one I got from a guy I bought pickups from. www.ericsguitars.com I believe... It's largly bore oil which works well for me. I've used it to oil the backs of maple necks too... that reminds me, I'm running low, I should order some...
I also use/have used Circa 1850 Lemon Oil with great results.
Dangerine49
New member
Re: using lemon oil on fretboards...
Olive oil?
Squeeze lemons?
3 in 1 oil?
Youse guys are a riot.
And I sure hope you are kidding...
I never put anything on my Gretsch New Yorker and Fender Mustang for 40 years before I read on some internet forums that people put stuff on their rosewood fretboards. I tried the lemon oil (seems best for cleaning to me) and plain mineral oil which seemd OK, but no significant change. I'll probably wait another 30 years or so before I do it again.
Olive oil?
Squeeze lemons?
3 in 1 oil?
Youse guys are a riot.
And I sure hope you are kidding...
I never put anything on my Gretsch New Yorker and Fender Mustang for 40 years before I read on some internet forums that people put stuff on their rosewood fretboards. I tried the lemon oil (seems best for cleaning to me) and plain mineral oil which seemd OK, but no significant change. I'll probably wait another 30 years or so before I do it again.
RiceCustomRich
New member
Re: using lemon oil on fretboards...
Nope. I'm absolutely not kidding. Nor am I ignorant, misinformed, or otherwise challenged.
Fact is, wood is dead. When dead stuff is subjected to heated air, it loses its natural oils, which causes shrinkage. Shrinkage causes stuff to crack, due to uneven tensions within the piece. Some woods are more prone to shrinkage/cracking, including rosewood, walnut, ebony, purpleheart, etc...
By reintroducing a natural oil, the surface becomes sealed, and slows this process. Lemon oil is one traditional substance that has been used for centuries- I simply don't care for it. It is too thin, and evaporates quickly, requiring more frequent application. Olive oil is thicker, thus it is absorbed more slowly and lasts much longer.
Lemon juice is acidic, and will do more harm than good. Really bad idea. 3 in 1 oil is a petroleum distillate, which will actually work, but I would avoid it in favor of a natural, non toxic product.
I have seen fretboards split, cracked, and buckled due to drying out, and it's a shame. You were lucky with your instruments, now you are informed.
Nope. I'm absolutely not kidding. Nor am I ignorant, misinformed, or otherwise challenged.
Fact is, wood is dead. When dead stuff is subjected to heated air, it loses its natural oils, which causes shrinkage. Shrinkage causes stuff to crack, due to uneven tensions within the piece. Some woods are more prone to shrinkage/cracking, including rosewood, walnut, ebony, purpleheart, etc...
By reintroducing a natural oil, the surface becomes sealed, and slows this process. Lemon oil is one traditional substance that has been used for centuries- I simply don't care for it. It is too thin, and evaporates quickly, requiring more frequent application. Olive oil is thicker, thus it is absorbed more slowly and lasts much longer.
Lemon juice is acidic, and will do more harm than good. Really bad idea. 3 in 1 oil is a petroleum distillate, which will actually work, but I would avoid it in favor of a natural, non toxic product.
I have seen fretboards split, cracked, and buckled due to drying out, and it's a shame. You were lucky with your instruments, now you are informed.
Robert Delahunt
Showmasterologist
Re: using lemon oil on fretboards...
Have you tried rosewood oil though, or ebony oil, etc, oils extracted from the trees themselves?
Nope. I'm absolutely not kidding. Nor am I ignorant, misinformed, or otherwise challenged.
Fact is, wood is dead. When dead stuff is subjected to heated air, it loses its natural oils, which causes shrinkage. Shrinkage causes stuff to crack, due to uneven tensions within the piece. Some woods are more prone to shrinkage/cracking, including rosewood, walnut, ebony, purpleheart, etc...
By reintroducing a natural oil, the surface becomes sealed, and slows this process. Lemon oil is one traditional substance that has been used for centuries- I simply don't care for it. It is too thin, and evaporates quickly, requiring more frequent application. Olive oil is thicker, thus it is absorbed more slowly and lasts much longer.
Lemon juice is acidic, and will do more harm than good. Really bad idea. 3 in 1 oil is a petroleum distillate, which will actually work, but I would avoid it in favor of a natural, non toxic product.
I have seen fretboards split, cracked, and buckled due to drying out, and it's a shame. You were lucky with your instruments, now you are informed.
Have you tried rosewood oil though, or ebony oil, etc, oils extracted from the trees themselves?
RiceCustomRich
New member
Re: using lemon oil on fretboards...
No, I haven't seen those oils. I wouldn't hesitate to try them, though. You simply can't leave the wood unprotected over the years. It needs nourishment.
No, I haven't seen those oils. I wouldn't hesitate to try them, though. You simply can't leave the wood unprotected over the years. It needs nourishment.
aleclee
Major General GAS
Re: using lemon oil on fretboards...
I got a small bottle at Whole Foods and use it on all my rosewood boards.
:werd:
I got a small bottle at Whole Foods and use it on all my rosewood boards.
subanots
New member
Re: using lemon oil on fretboards...
if any wood on a guitar is cracking, the solution is not to lather it up with oil. :smack:
it is due to a humidity problem in the storage area of said instrument.
if you leave your guitar in the trunk of your guitar (which would be worst case senario)
or leave it on a wall hanger, like its some piece of art (put in a fricken case if your not going to play it)
or you just leave your guitar around outside of the case :smack: it will dry out.
now, dont go shoving soundhole humidifiers in the soundhole of your acoustics either.
i have dealt with more repairs (than most of you) that were due to improper humidifying.
either too much or too little.
wood is not dead. treat your guitar like a living organism. they need to be in a proper environment. 35-50% humidity 365 days a year. yes, even electrics.
if any wood on a guitar is cracking, the solution is not to lather it up with oil. :smack:
it is due to a humidity problem in the storage area of said instrument.
if you leave your guitar in the trunk of your guitar (which would be worst case senario)
or leave it on a wall hanger, like its some piece of art (put in a fricken case if your not going to play it)
or you just leave your guitar around outside of the case :smack: it will dry out.
now, dont go shoving soundhole humidifiers in the soundhole of your acoustics either.
i have dealt with more repairs (than most of you) that were due to improper humidifying.
either too much or too little.
wood is not dead. treat your guitar like a living organism. they need to be in a proper environment. 35-50% humidity 365 days a year. yes, even electrics.
RiceCustomRich
New member
Robert Delahunt
Showmasterologist
Re: using lemon oil on fretboards...
Uh, it is dead. But yeah, you should treat a guitar with respect. Still, I mainly posted to ask how you check your humidity, and how you dry out the air. I'm down here about a 30 minute walk from the beach, and it's very humid here. I try to "rescue" dehumidifying packets we get in at my job in the boxes of various aircraft parts, but alas I'm not sure if it's enough. Do you use one of those violin hygrometers?
And do you really think any of that is necessary if the guitar is finished (i.e. poly, or nitro, etc, outer finish and paint)? Is it necessary with maple? (since you can't really get oil to penetrate it, or can you?)
Uh, it is dead. But yeah, you should treat a guitar with respect. Still, I mainly posted to ask how you check your humidity, and how you dry out the air. I'm down here about a 30 minute walk from the beach, and it's very humid here. I try to "rescue" dehumidifying packets we get in at my job in the boxes of various aircraft parts, but alas I'm not sure if it's enough. Do you use one of those violin hygrometers?
And do you really think any of that is necessary if the guitar is finished (i.e. poly, or nitro, etc, outer finish and paint)? Is it necessary with maple? (since you can't really get oil to penetrate it, or can you?)
RiceCustomRich
New member
Re: using lemon oil on fretboards...
I'm avoiding a flame war, I just joined this forum.
Yes, wood is dead, disconnected from its roots, never to live again.
Keep your guitar in air conditioning whenever possible, avoid extremes. You can check the humidity with a hygrometer, (there are several models available- I have a Planet Waves hygrometer that I like) but simply knowing what it is won't help you all that much. Many efforts at raising/lowering humidity wind up in disaster. A good general course of action is to use your body as an indicator. If you are comfortable, then your instrument will be comfortable, too. Avoid extremes whenever possible.
The thread, as I recall, was referring to unfinished (raw) woods, maple is usually finished, either with poly or with nitro. I will use polymerized linseed oil to seal and protect maple necks for those who like a raw wood feel, but it is not as durable a finish as the others. It also has a tendency to get dirty very quickly. Some folks love that, some hate it. It's still better than raw wood.
Finished wood has a certain degree of protection, depending on what type of finish, and how heavily it was applied. Lacquers typically provide much less protection than polyurethanes or UV cured polyesters. They (lacquers) are also more affected by temperature and humidity. I still love the lacquer, though.
Make sure to run a humidifier in the winter, to help keep everything from drying out. This is especially problematic with forced air furnaces, as the burners dry the air as it heats it. This can cause drying, cracking, fret sprout,etc.. really bad stuff. Please don't use "vaporizers", too much humidity has adverse effects, as well. Just a humidifier in the winter, and air conditioning in the summer.
I'm avoiding a flame war, I just joined this forum.
Yes, wood is dead, disconnected from its roots, never to live again.
Keep your guitar in air conditioning whenever possible, avoid extremes. You can check the humidity with a hygrometer, (there are several models available- I have a Planet Waves hygrometer that I like) but simply knowing what it is won't help you all that much. Many efforts at raising/lowering humidity wind up in disaster. A good general course of action is to use your body as an indicator. If you are comfortable, then your instrument will be comfortable, too. Avoid extremes whenever possible.
The thread, as I recall, was referring to unfinished (raw) woods, maple is usually finished, either with poly or with nitro. I will use polymerized linseed oil to seal and protect maple necks for those who like a raw wood feel, but it is not as durable a finish as the others. It also has a tendency to get dirty very quickly. Some folks love that, some hate it. It's still better than raw wood.
Finished wood has a certain degree of protection, depending on what type of finish, and how heavily it was applied. Lacquers typically provide much less protection than polyurethanes or UV cured polyesters. They (lacquers) are also more affected by temperature and humidity. I still love the lacquer, though.
Make sure to run a humidifier in the winter, to help keep everything from drying out. This is especially problematic with forced air furnaces, as the burners dry the air as it heats it. This can cause drying, cracking, fret sprout,etc.. really bad stuff. Please don't use "vaporizers", too much humidity has adverse effects, as well. Just a humidifier in the winter, and air conditioning in the summer.
Robert Delahunt
Showmasterologist
Re: using lemon oil on fretboards...
I know it just conjures images of people diluting miracle grow to put on their fretboards
Yeah, I know, I'm silly....
I know it just conjures images of people diluting miracle grow to put on their fretboards
Yeah, I know, I'm silly....
T
theodie
Guest
Re: using lemon oil on fretboards...
Fireplaces and woodstoves are the worst for drying out guitars. The others you have mentioned are not good either.
Fireplaces and woodstoves are the worst for drying out guitars. The others you have mentioned are not good either.
T
theodie
Guest
Re: using lemon oil on fretboards...
I am sure a few kids on here have probably thought about it while on their way to get the newest snake oil to condition their fretboards at the local hardware store. LOL!!!!!
BAWHAHAHAHA!
I know it just conjures images of people diluting miracle grow to put on their fretboards
I am sure a few kids on here have probably thought about it while on their way to get the newest snake oil to condition their fretboards at the local hardware store. LOL!!!!!
BAWHAHAHAHA!
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