using lemon oil on fretboards...
- Thread starter devilfish
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Pete Galati
New member
Re: using lemon oil on fretboards...
Well, Dr. Frankenstein (that's "fronkenstene") could bring it back to life anyhow.
Rosewood's generally pretty stable stuff actually. Almost none of the guitar builders put a finish on rosewood fingerboards. I wonder how many put some sort of treatment on the fingerboard before shipping it out the door though.
The olive oil trick really does seem to work well on my new Warmoth neck. I don't see any sign of there being anything on the wood, but the rosewood looks darker, and not dry now.
I can't compare that to lemon oil, because I haven't tried that.
It's alive!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8H3dFh6GA-AWell, Dr. Frankenstein (that's "fronkenstene") could bring it back to life anyhow.
Rosewood's generally pretty stable stuff actually. Almost none of the guitar builders put a finish on rosewood fingerboards. I wonder how many put some sort of treatment on the fingerboard before shipping it out the door though.
The olive oil trick really does seem to work well on my new Warmoth neck. I don't see any sign of there being anything on the wood, but the rosewood looks darker, and not dry now.
I can't compare that to lemon oil, because I haven't tried that.
Stratman
Guitaris Maximus
Re: using lemon oil on fretboards...
heheheh
Actually, lemon oil is citric acid, not so good for wood!
heheheh
Actually, lemon oil is citric acid, not so good for wood!
Dangerine49
New member
Re: using lemon oil on fretboards...
Gee, thanks for the lesson. I wasn't trying to imply anything by my remark. It was intended to be somewhat facetious actually. I do understand the need for wood in certain climates to need extra care. I live in the New York City area which never gets excessively dry like other parts of the country. My fretboards never exhibited any evidence of shrinkage or cracking, so I didn't seek out a solution I didn't need.
However, you do need to use the right tool for the job. I would never put olive oil on my guitar. I would think if you do, you would be lucky that it doesn't turn rancid. Wonderful stuff, but best left in the kitchen. I'm sure 3 in 1 Oil will work as well, but I don't really want my guitar to smell like a sewing machine.
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.
Gee, thanks for the lesson. I wasn't trying to imply anything by my remark. It was intended to be somewhat facetious actually. I do understand the need for wood in certain climates to need extra care. I live in the New York City area which never gets excessively dry like other parts of the country. My fretboards never exhibited any evidence of shrinkage or cracking, so I didn't seek out a solution I didn't need.
However, you do need to use the right tool for the job. I would never put olive oil on my guitar. I would think if you do, you would be lucky that it doesn't turn rancid. Wonderful stuff, but best left in the kitchen. I'm sure 3 in 1 Oil will work as well, but I don't really want my guitar to smell like a sewing machine.
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RiceCustomRich
New member
Re: using lemon oil on fretboards...
Thanks for your post. I was taken aback by the first one, as my suggestion was lumped in with lemon juice and 3 in 1 oil-
Perhaps I misread it, due to the nature of the media. I certainly meant no offense.
I have maintained my own instruments, and hundreds (maybe thousands by now) of others, since 1963. I got the olive oil tip from an old timer way back then. There has never been an adverse effect from its use, or I would not recommend it. I build custom instruments full time, and treat every raw fingerboard before it leaves here with olive oil. It is necessary to protect the wood from climatic changes in my neck of the woods, as it is hot/humid in the summertime, and cold/dry in the winter. I suppose if a fingerboard was repeatedly subjected to a heavy application of any oil it would be a real mess. I'd hate it, and it could cause problems. A small amount, wiped on and wiped off, will rejuvenate and protect the wood. There is nothing left on the surface of the wood to turn rancid. Just a soft glow of healthy looking, protected wood. No odor, no greasy feel, nothing gross or even shiny. Lemon oil is more traditional, but it is much thinner. It evaporates quickly, and doesn't afford the protection of a thicker oil. Mineral oil is good, too. The main thing is to not let the wood dry out, or it will eventually crack.
Thanks for your post. I was taken aback by the first one, as my suggestion was lumped in with lemon juice and 3 in 1 oil-
Perhaps I misread it, due to the nature of the media. I certainly meant no offense.
I have maintained my own instruments, and hundreds (maybe thousands by now) of others, since 1963. I got the olive oil tip from an old timer way back then. There has never been an adverse effect from its use, or I would not recommend it. I build custom instruments full time, and treat every raw fingerboard before it leaves here with olive oil. It is necessary to protect the wood from climatic changes in my neck of the woods, as it is hot/humid in the summertime, and cold/dry in the winter. I suppose if a fingerboard was repeatedly subjected to a heavy application of any oil it would be a real mess. I'd hate it, and it could cause problems. A small amount, wiped on and wiped off, will rejuvenate and protect the wood. There is nothing left on the surface of the wood to turn rancid. Just a soft glow of healthy looking, protected wood. No odor, no greasy feel, nothing gross or even shiny. Lemon oil is more traditional, but it is much thinner. It evaporates quickly, and doesn't afford the protection of a thicker oil. Mineral oil is good, too. The main thing is to not let the wood dry out, or it will eventually crack.
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: using lemon oil on fretboards...
I use lemon oil. Never had a problem with it or with cracked fingerboards because of it.
The product I like to use is actually mineral oil based lemon oil and is made by a company called Parker and Bailey.
It's non toxic and non flammable.
I use lemon oil. Never had a problem with it or with cracked fingerboards because of it.
The product I like to use is actually mineral oil based lemon oil and is made by a company called Parker and Bailey.
It's non toxic and non flammable.
Robert Delahunt
Showmasterologist
Re: using lemon oil on fretboards...
Um, I have a question. When people mention lemon oil, which by nature is probably processed and distilled so you have the oil, not the fructose, not the citric acid, why do people then claim there's some in them? Does anyone have any scientific proof that there's fructose and/or citric acid in the run-of-the-mill Walmart-brand lemon oil?
Um, I have a question. When people mention lemon oil, which by nature is probably processed and distilled so you have the oil, not the fructose, not the citric acid, why do people then claim there's some in them? Does anyone have any scientific proof that there's fructose and/or citric acid in the run-of-the-mill Walmart-brand lemon oil?
Redmist
New member
Re: using lemon oil on fretboards...
Theodie was spot on when he said this comes up once a month.
For the record folks:-
Well kiln dried wood will not dry out any more or crack etc. due to the loss of oils or moisture.
To preserve any possibility of a half-assed neck drying out, it needs to be sealed by penetrating oil, to keep it the way it left the factory.
Mineral oils will disolve or weaken adhesives, especially if glue was used to glue in the frets, vegetable oils will not!
Mineral oils and silicones are not thin enough to penetrate wood.
Olive oils and most veg oils do not penetrate very well, and if they do, they contain no preservatives so can rot and turn rancid.
Commercial rosewood oil is not from the rosewood tree!!
Real lemon oil is not juice, contains no citric acid, but does have a pH of about 4, so is slightly acidic and may not be the best.
In other words, nothing is good enough and we can argue this forever.
Personally, i clean the boards with pure lemon oil only - but dont let it soak in (which it is thin enough to do).
There really is no need to do anything more on a well made neck!!!!!
Theodie was spot on when he said this comes up once a month.
For the record folks:-
Well kiln dried wood will not dry out any more or crack etc. due to the loss of oils or moisture.
To preserve any possibility of a half-assed neck drying out, it needs to be sealed by penetrating oil, to keep it the way it left the factory.
Mineral oils will disolve or weaken adhesives, especially if glue was used to glue in the frets, vegetable oils will not!
Mineral oils and silicones are not thin enough to penetrate wood.
Olive oils and most veg oils do not penetrate very well, and if they do, they contain no preservatives so can rot and turn rancid.
Commercial rosewood oil is not from the rosewood tree!!
Real lemon oil is not juice, contains no citric acid, but does have a pH of about 4, so is slightly acidic and may not be the best.
In other words, nothing is good enough and we can argue this forever.
Personally, i clean the boards with pure lemon oil only - but dont let it soak in (which it is thin enough to do).
There really is no need to do anything more on a well made neck!!!!!
Robert Delahunt
Showmasterologist
Re: using lemon oil on fretboards...
I was just not wanting people to assume that there's citric acid or whatever else in lemon oil without having definitive proof. I'm not trying to be rude, and certainly not to you, but such rumors really annoy me. One of the main reasons I started my "reading Physics book" kicks: urban legends are annoying to me.
Anyways, you're probably right: nothing good out there. But what if we turn to something made for the job? Wouldn't a good product probably be one made for the job, like Fender Fretboard Conditioner and others? I know we can no more assume that they have our best interests in mind than we can assume they do not, but still, what do you think? I was thinking about getting some, but I wanted your opinion, and theodie and Lew, etc.
I was just not wanting people to assume that there's citric acid or whatever else in lemon oil without having definitive proof. I'm not trying to be rude, and certainly not to you, but such rumors really annoy me. One of the main reasons I started my "reading Physics book" kicks: urban legends are annoying to me.
Anyways, you're probably right: nothing good out there. But what if we turn to something made for the job? Wouldn't a good product probably be one made for the job, like Fender Fretboard Conditioner and others? I know we can no more assume that they have our best interests in mind than we can assume they do not, but still, what do you think? I was thinking about getting some, but I wanted your opinion, and theodie and Lew, etc.
S
Skarekrough
Guest
Re: using lemon oil on fretboards...
As was stated by others, as long as you play the instrument then the oils from our skin and fingertips are likely to be enough.
Being in New England and thusly prone to severe dryness due to Winters where the heat is always on I'll use Guitar Honey when I do a string change. And typically I will end up doing this on a guitar I'm not playing as much as I should be for whatever reason.
As was stated by others, as long as you play the instrument then the oils from our skin and fingertips are likely to be enough.
Being in New England and thusly prone to severe dryness due to Winters where the heat is always on I'll use Guitar Honey when I do a string change. And typically I will end up doing this on a guitar I'm not playing as much as I should be for whatever reason.
Redmist
New member
Re: using lemon oil on fretboards...
The most convincing stuff i've found is Fret doctor, as it penetrates, but is a mystical blend!!
Still, not really sold on it being any better than other comercial oils, so i will stick to just cleaning with pure lemon oil. The stuff i use is by Robin Sorby for coating chisel handles, which i use in wood carving. Pure oil, and only a tenner for a litre!!!
The most convincing stuff i've found is Fret doctor, as it penetrates, but is a mystical blend!!
Still, not really sold on it being any better than other comercial oils, so i will stick to just cleaning with pure lemon oil. The stuff i use is by Robin Sorby for coating chisel handles, which i use in wood carving. Pure oil, and only a tenner for a litre!!!
Re: using lemon oil on fretboards...
I've been using Guitar Honey once a year for years on my rosewood and ebony boards and it works like a champ.
I've been using Guitar Honey once a year for years on my rosewood and ebony boards and it works like a champ.
T
theodie
Guest
Re: using lemon oil on fretboards...
Chowder is good for this task.
Chowder is good for this task.
T
thucydides
Guest
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Bludave
New member
Re: using lemon oil on fretboards...
Yup. I agree I have had this conversation with so many people about acoustics. Guys go out and spend big $ on a bueatiful acoustic and then let it dry out and the top cracks. You have to take care of wood. I own 11 acoustic guitars and a whole bunch of electrics also)...... its a lot of work keeping moisture available to the guitars and proper care of the fingerboard. Guys that have owned guitars for a long time and have avioded damage wihout addind moisture, should consider themselves fortunate. I have seen horrible things happen to a guitar simply because nobody added any moisture to it when the air dried out. This is a different issue than adding lemon oil, or olive oil to your fingerboard. Even though your guitars are solid the wood will still dry out. the most common problem for finish checking, neck bowing and general problems with guitars playability is the lack of moisture. The wood shrinks causing numerous problems. Lemon oil (or your favorite vegtable oil) and water. I put a dampit it every guitar case and check each guitar at least once a week. I lemon oil the fingerboard after every string change Rosewood and ebony) for maple I just use my regular polish. And as you stated most polishes have silicone in them........ even most over the counter guitar polish.
Yup. I agree I have had this conversation with so many people about acoustics. Guys go out and spend big $ on a bueatiful acoustic and then let it dry out and the top cracks. You have to take care of wood. I own 11 acoustic guitars and a whole bunch of electrics also)...... its a lot of work keeping moisture available to the guitars and proper care of the fingerboard. Guys that have owned guitars for a long time and have avioded damage wihout addind moisture, should consider themselves fortunate. I have seen horrible things happen to a guitar simply because nobody added any moisture to it when the air dried out. This is a different issue than adding lemon oil, or olive oil to your fingerboard. Even though your guitars are solid the wood will still dry out. the most common problem for finish checking, neck bowing and general problems with guitars playability is the lack of moisture. The wood shrinks causing numerous problems. Lemon oil (or your favorite vegtable oil) and water. I put a dampit it every guitar case and check each guitar at least once a week. I lemon oil the fingerboard after every string change Rosewood and ebony) for maple I just use my regular polish. And as you stated most polishes have silicone in them........ even most over the counter guitar polish.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: using lemon oil on fretboards...
Except of course when you run the heat for 6 months out of the year & bring the relative humidity in your house down to 10%. Other than that, no, they're not subjected to a dry climate.
Except of course when you run the heat for 6 months out of the year & bring the relative humidity in your house down to 10%. Other than that, no, they're not subjected to a dry climate.
MikeS
Bengalsologist
Re: using lemon oil on fretboards...
No oiling of the maple boards here. I've used "lemon oils" and I've used Dunlop's fret board conditioner on unfinished boards. I can't say that I really noticed any difference in the wood condition or frequency of the application. To be honest I cannot remember what I've been using lately (maybe the Kyser Lem-Oil).
No long-term effects from anything I've used, though my oldest instruments are only about 10 years old. I can say, however, that since I bought a humidifier that I have had to use significantly less oil on my unfinished fret boards. I live on the second floor (of four floors) in an apartment building with radiant heat (pretty much the driest heat you'll find). That means I'll have the hot apartment and it'll be very dry. When I first got a hydrometer I was shocked to see my studio was 78* F and 16% relative humidity. It's not a wonder the set up on my acoustics sucked during the winter. It took the purchase of a nice acoustic to get me to splurge on a humidifier. These days I keep 50% RH in the studio during the heating season, and the instruments are much better off because of it. Plus, it allows me to keep them all out, either in stands or hanging, because instead of monitoring a dozen cases I only need to monitor a single room.
Maybe I'll try the olive oil thing on board and see what happens. If it stinks up the place, though, I know who to blame.
No oiling of the maple boards here. I've used "lemon oils" and I've used Dunlop's fret board conditioner on unfinished boards. I can't say that I really noticed any difference in the wood condition or frequency of the application. To be honest I cannot remember what I've been using lately (maybe the Kyser Lem-Oil).
No long-term effects from anything I've used, though my oldest instruments are only about 10 years old. I can say, however, that since I bought a humidifier that I have had to use significantly less oil on my unfinished fret boards. I live on the second floor (of four floors) in an apartment building with radiant heat (pretty much the driest heat you'll find). That means I'll have the hot apartment and it'll be very dry. When I first got a hydrometer I was shocked to see my studio was 78* F and 16% relative humidity. It's not a wonder the set up on my acoustics sucked during the winter. It took the purchase of a nice acoustic to get me to splurge on a humidifier. These days I keep 50% RH in the studio during the heating season, and the instruments are much better off because of it. Plus, it allows me to keep them all out, either in stands or hanging, because instead of monitoring a dozen cases I only need to monitor a single room.
Maybe I'll try the olive oil thing on board and see what happens. If it stinks up the place, though, I know who to blame.
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