What I use for my fingerboards is Gunstock Oil............it is Linseed Oil based but it is refined so that the non drying qualities are removed. Its easy to apply and dries quickly. The product I use is called 'GB's Lin-speed and its 8.95 american for a 2 0z bottle........and one bottle goes a long way.
you can order it at "GB" Products Division
Lin-speed Inc
PO Box 1319
Mashpee, Ma
02649 E-mail---RRowe74257@aol.com
I think it's fine to leave most fretboards oil free. I've used boiled linseed oil and lemon oil a lot, but now I'm either leaving them alone or using the synthetic oil from Luthier's Mercantile. LMII.com Before applying the oil (or not) I clean the board with mineral spirits to remove masking tape residue after a fretjob. I found boiled linseed oil would kill strings and grime up frets, and although better, lemon oil did the same if you weren't super carefull in cleaning all the excess off the frets.
That Ibanez you have there is rosewood for sure, the other one is very dark but I can't tell. Ebony is almost black in color so easy to spot. In terms of what to use... there have been several good suggestions made here and I dont think it matters which type of wood. I am not the expert on woods though.
Linseed oil work fine, many pros have used it sucsessully for decades. My personall fav is Tung oil - works great! Remender to use 0000 steel wool to cleanup first, apply oil, and clean and polish when oil has soak in. You only need to do this once or twice a year tops!
I think it's fine to leave most fretboards oil free. I've used boiled linseed oil and lemon oil a lot, but now I'm either leaving them alone or using the synthetic oil from Luthier's Mercantile. LMII.com Before applying the oil (or not) I clean the board with mineral spirits to remove masking tape residue after a fretjob. I found boiled linseed oil would kill strings and grime up frets, and although better, lemon oil did the same if you weren't super carefull in cleaning all the excess off the frets.
Absolutely! In a past life I did some duck hunting and decided to clean my favourite duck call and spiff it up with some linseed oil. Bad idea. Ruined the tone and weakened the volume considerably. That was years ago and its still not (dry?) right. When I do refrets, the board gets a light sanding and then a polishing with 0000 steel wool. No oils, silicones, nada! And clean the grease from your fingers off the neck when you put your guitar away. It's supposed to be dry.
I've used lemon oil for about 30 years and have never had a problem but after reading about Docter Fret and seeing what it has done to my fretboard iwouldn't use anything else: http://www.beafifer.com/boredoctor.htm
I was just watching that program, How It's Made. They were showing how guitars are made at Godin. They were usuing mineral oil on the fretboards. That's a new one on me.
I was just watching that program, How It's Made. They were showing how guitars are made at Godin. They were usuing mineral oil on the fretboards. That's a new one on me.
I think most name brand lemon oils are just mineral oil with essence of lemon added. Personally, I never use anything on my fretboards except possibly a damp cloth to clean off the grunge. I figure my greazy fingers have enough oil on them already (especially after eating pizza and wings :tongue: ).
I think most vintage acoustic guitar experts will tell you oiling a rosewood board is a definite no-no.
Pete
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