Why you should clean and condition your fretboard

[epilespaul2000]

I had a really dry fretboard. So I went and bought some lemon oil (Old English) at the hardware store and treated my fretboard. Not only does it play better now, but it also rolled off some of the harsh high-end and warmed up the tone a little. I guess a really dry fretboard affects your tone. Who would've known.

 

[jomo]

Yep, guitar maintenance 101.

 

[rybass]

So is Ole E ok to put on your fret board? It won't adversely affect your binding or inlay glues?

 

[rockmonkey]

Oiling fretboard can damage the guitar if you use the wrong oil or if you use too much oil. The key is to try and wipe your fretboard compleatly dry immediatly after you apply the oil to the fretboard. Don't give it time to soak in because that can cause a sticky neck, warping, and it can make frets and inlays come loose.

My alltime favorite fretboard oil is the synthetic stuff that they sell at Luthiers Mercantile International, Inc. Guitar Builder Wood and Supplies 1 or 2 drops on a q-tip is enough for a whole fretboard and you only need to use it when you give your fretboard a good scrub down which shouldn't need to happen often. I go for about 3 years at a time between oiling. Lemon oil is actually bad for your fretboard and will make it feel better for a little while but then it'll dry out worse than it would have if you didn't oil it at all. Most "lemon oil" that is made for guitars has very little, if any, real lemon oil in it so if it's mixed for fretboard use then it's safe, just avoid buying lemon oil that isn't mixed for use on fretboards. The trouble with the majority of guitar lemon oils is that they don't last nearly as long as the synthetic fretboard oil or linseed oil. If I'm not using the synthetic LMI oil I use linseed oil. It lasts just as long and you still only need 1 or 2 drops of it. The trouble with linseed oil is that it's idiot proof. It's easy to use too much and that makes the fretboard sticky, yuck. It's also toxic if ingested so playing guitar while enjoying a tasty snack isn't an option but shouldn't be an option anyway.

 

[twinrider1]

Bore oil.

I'm a very happy user of Fret Doctor.

Bore Oil for the Fife and Fret Doctor

 

[River]

So is Ole E ok to put on your fret board? It won't adversely affect your binding or inlay glues?

I've been using it since day one with no adverse affects. I live in a very dry climate, and I DO let it soak in if it wants to and, if it does, do it again. When it stops soaking in (or is it evaporating? ), then I wipe it down gently before stringing. YMMV.

 

[mm621]

It's really important to oil your fretboard, make sure that you don't soak your strings in it though - ruins them.

 

[ScottB]

You can get pure mineral oil from places like cooking supply stores, it is used on cutting boards, and bamboo.

I can't stand the lemon smell, makes me nauseous, and so does the powder smell in baby oil. But if you don't mind, or actually like, the smell of either, they are the same thing just scented. In fact I bet most of the "guitar specific" stuff is a mineral oil base. There are exceptions I'm sure.