It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 9:17 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 10 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: Vintage Fretboard - Dry as the Desert - What to Use?
Posted: Sat May 21, 2016 5:26 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Jul 24, 2013 5:12 am
Posts: 12
Location: Wilmington, NC
I just picked up a 73 Strat. It looks like the fretboard hasn't been oiled for a long time. I've never had a guitar with a board this dry. Is there any oil better than others? Or, is all fretboard oil the same (i.e. lemon oil)? Since the guitar is 42 years old I want to be sure I'm using the proper product.

Thanks


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Vintage Fretboard - Dry as the Desert - What to Use?
Posted: Sat May 21, 2016 7:29 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue Oct 08, 2013 2:11 pm
Posts: 820
Location: Iowa, USA
Dunlop Fretboard 65: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessor ... Ntt=Dunlop 65&index=3
That's what I use, and it works fantastically.
Apply it until it stops soaking in (I'm assuming Rosewood?) and then wipe off any puddles and/or excess oil. And then re-oil each time you change the strings.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Vintage Fretboard - Dry as the Desert - What to Use?
Posted: Sat May 21, 2016 7:51 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Sun Sep 08, 2013 8:50 pm
Posts: 4602
Location: ˚ɷ˚
White Dog wrote:
Dunlop Fretboard 65: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessor ... Ntt=Dunlop 65&index=3
That's what I use, and it works fantastically.
Apply it until it stops soaking in (I'm assuming Rosewood?) and then wipe off any puddles and/or excess oil. And then re-oil each time you change the strings.


Good advice. Note that the liberal application until it stops soaking in is only needed if you have a terribly dry fretboard that has been neglected for years and years. For a new instrument, or one that only has surface dryness, applying a little to a lint-free cloth or shammy and wiping is more than enough.

As for what to use, make sure that "lemon oil" isn't really lemon oil (limonol), as that will kill the guitar.
Anything sold for guitars as lemon oil will be mineral oil with a mild lemon scent, which is just fine.
If it's sold at a hardware store as lemon oil for cleaning purposes, steer away. Limonol is one of the few things that's strong enough to harm even a poly finish.

Also, if using wax to buff the rest of the guitar, make sure you don't get any on a rosewood fretboard.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Vintage Fretboard - Dry as the Desert - What to Use?
Posted: Tue May 24, 2016 8:39 am
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 3:11 pm
Posts: 190
"Also, if using wax to buff the rest of the guitar, make sure you don't get any on a rosewood fretboard."

In the past I have used wax on a rosewood fretboard with no ill effects.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Vintage Fretboard - Dry as the Desert - What to Use?
Posted: Tue May 24, 2016 9:17 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Sun Sep 08, 2013 8:50 pm
Posts: 4602
Location: ˚ɷ˚
ckmckool wrote:
"Also, if using wax to buff the rest of the guitar, make sure you don't get any on a rosewood fretboard."

In the past I have used wax on a rosewood fretboard with no ill effects.


Carnuba wax won't harm the rosewood, but unless you do all of the fretboard, smudges of wax on it will stick out like a sore thumb.
It cannot easily be removed except by wear, so once you get some on it, you may have to wax and re-wax the board every now and then, or eventually have a leopard fretboard.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Vintage Fretboard - Dry as the Desert - What to Use?
Posted: Tue May 24, 2016 11:02 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2009 4:50 pm
Posts: 7998
Location: ʎɹʇunoɔ ǝsoɹ pןıʍ
You're gonna wanna go after it with a toothbrush to get the white out of the pores.

I suggest sticking with the tried and true mineral oil and the so-called "Lemon Oil" variants of mineral oil.

_________________
Image
Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Vintage Fretboard - Dry as the Desert - What to Use?
Posted: Wed May 25, 2016 11:01 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2012 10:47 am
Posts: 1256
I've been using Gerlitz Guitar Honey for quite a few years now.

Prior to that I used some of that Dunlop stuff.

And you'll never guess, but!!! --
!!Both worked!!


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Vintage Fretboard - Dry as the Desert - What to Use?
Posted: Thu May 26, 2016 1:03 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 am
Posts: 14049
Location: Province de Québec, Canada
vinwop wrote:
I just picked up a 73 Strat. It looks like the fretboard hasn't been oiled for a long time. I've never had a guitar with a board this dry. Is there any oil better than others? Or, is all fretboard oil the same (i.e. lemon oil)? Since the guitar is 42 years old I want to be sure I'm using the proper product.

Thanks



Rosewood and ebony ; lemon oil ,

Maple ; nothing


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Vintage Fretboard - Dry as the Desert - What to Use?
Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2016 7:14 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Oct 09, 2014 8:13 am
Posts: 26
I use...
Fretboard F-ONE Oil - Cleaner & Conditioner gives wood its life back. F-ONE is formulated using a complex mixture of the finest ultra refined tree and seed oils to clean, condition and protect your fretboard/fingerboard. 100% free of any lemon oil extracts, waxes, petroleum distillates, silicone, and water. Music Nomad doesn't use any lemon oil because it contains d-limonene, which is a strong solvent that is used to remove paint and glue. In addition, the high acidity levels of lemon oil can dry out the fretboard over time and require more frequent fretboard care. F-ONE leaves your fretboard looking new, playing great and feeling smooth, never sticky or tacky. Music Nomad's revolutionary formula penetrates and conditions the wood to dry fast and give it a new look for months. It uses 100% naturally produced oils and is safe on all unfinished rosewood, ebony and mahogany fretboards.

This is not a paid endorsement. I just figured their description would be helpful.

_________________
"Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar" Frank Zappa


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Vintage Fretboard - Dry as the Desert - What to Use?
Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2016 8:00 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician

Joined: Wed Dec 14, 2011 10:18 am
Posts: 1530
Location: The Frozen Tundra of MN
KidBlast wrote:
I've been using Gerlitz Guitar Honey for quite a few years now.

Prior to that I used some of that Dunlop stuff.

And you'll never guess, but!!! --
!!Both worked!!

I use the Guitar Honey, good stuff.


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 10 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: