lemon oil??

remobeli · Not So Newbie Joined: 02 Oct 2003 Posts: 6

just bought a new dunlop lemon oil to treat my rosewood fingerboards, when i came across a note on the martin website saying that martin do not recommend the use of lemon oil as the acids can destroy the finish and corrode the frets. true?what are the alternatives - particularly for vintage guitars?

s.yetter · Little Guppy Joined: 14 Jun 2005 Posts: 30

I only used Tres Amigos lemon oil once, on a dry looking rosewood board.
But mostly I find rosewood to be pretty oily wood by itself. I just scrape off the smutz with a fingernail once every ten years.
The lemon oil did not hurt anything that I could tell, and I pretty well soaked that dry lookin' board.

SAguitar · Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2005 4:45 pm Post subject:

I put lemon oil on all my rosewood fretboards about every six months. I put a few drops on an old rag, and rub it over the fretboard. I'll let it soak in for a couple of minutes and then wipe off any excess. Keeps the board in primo condition. You shouldn't get it on any other finished areas in the vicinity. Cool

ksdaddy · Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 9:36 am Post subject:

There are many different schools of thought on lemon oil. Most "lemon oil" is scented and colored mineral oil. I have used it, but if I'm "bringing back" a neglected and dry guitar, I find there is a lot of residue left over after slathering it on the board and allowing it to soak in. Maybe that's an extreme example and not indicative of everyday usage though.

I've used olive oil too, with good results.

My '71 LP was hell to keep in tune every spring, not sure why, but it seemed to be the change of seasons and humidity. Finally I wiped a thin coat of linseed oil on the board and let it dry for a few days before stringing it up.... no problem since. I think that particular piece of rosewood was reacting to the moisture in the air more than other boards and sealing it more (sort of) with boiled linseed oil helped abate that.

Some luthiers say not to use anything on boards whatsoever. I disagree, I think bare boards should have a little something once in a while... maybe there's overkill, but once or twice a year sure isn't going to hurt anything.

Yoder · Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2005 10:51 am Post subject:

I use orange oil myself in much the same manner that SA does with his lemon oil. Great smelling stuff, and is also great for piano's, furniture, and the dog's bed. I avoid using olive or any such oil since they do go rancid. It would be a shame to use some olive oil on a rosewood fretboard, and then have to live with a rancid odor a month down the line.

guitarguy92 · Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2005 9:13 am Post subject:

I use walnut oil for the fingerboard--you can get it at your local grocery. It was recommended to me by none other than Ren Ferguson of Gibson when he was in this area several years ago at a Gibson clinic. Cool

nogin007 · Sea Monkey Joined: 28 May 2005 Posts: 12

I have a small bottle of Gibson lemon oil I bought about 25 years ago. I treat my fingerboards about once a year. I figured if it was sold by Gibson for their guitars, it was okay. On a side note, you mentioned Martins recommendation. I don't know if this is true, but a friend who is die hard Martin, told me that Martin uses a softer compound in their frets, so its easier on strings.

SAguitar · Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2005 4:44 pm Post subject:

They just need an occasional annointing, y'know. Cool

GDC · Tadpole Joined: 08 Jul 2005 Posts: 19

I use lemon oil on Rosewood Fretboards, but not Ebony ones.

herb · Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2005 5:52 pm Post subject:

Welcome to the forum, GDC! Very Happy

GDC · Tadpole Joined: 08 Jul 2005 Posts: 19

Thanks Herb. Just found it. Looks like a good place.

Gary

herb · Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2005 5:02 am Post subject:

It is a good place. We have really nice folks here, informed and friendly. And well behaved and mannered, too. It makes my job as a moderator a very easy one! Wink

I like that a lot! Cool

SAguitar · Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2005 3:24 pm Post subject:

...but then I showed up... Rolling Eyes

tonguy · Not So Newbie Joined: 23 May 2003 Posts: 5

I've been using grapeseed oil ever since a vintage guitar repair guy showed me a fingerboard that had been treated over the years with "lemon oil". Very nasty!! Turns out our fingertips can catalyze the mineral oil in "lemon oil" and other so-called fingerboard oils. Over time, this can effectively seal the surface of the fingerboard, meaning it won't take in moisture properly. Grapeseed oil once a year (usually when winter starts and the air gets drier) and regular fingerboard cleanings with a damp rag have done the trick for me.

95strat · Cobra Joined: 29 Oct 2005 Posts: 489 Location: Canada

I've heard people say you shouldn't do this, but I've used lemon Pledge on the fingerboards of my guitar! Shocked

Some people you say you shouldn't use furnature polish on guitars because you get waxy buildup, but my dad has always used it and never had a problem after 30 years... besides, if its meant for expensive furnature that is often finished with similar finishes as guitars how can it harm it??? I use it very sparingly, and I don't use it very often either - just when the board gets excessively grungy or dry. I've never heard of lemon oil being a bad thing to use tho... interesting?!