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Hey Everyone, I just read another post regarding oiling ebony fingerboards every so often to keep them from drying out....I have to admit that I didn't know about this until now....I dont believe I've ever oiled my ebony fingerboard....the guitar is about 18 yrs old...how much trouble am I in?
Especially since a refret is likely in the next 12 months...

Scott

The problem you may have is that Ebony chips easily compared to maple or rosewood. If it's dry, it only makes the problem worse. A good luthier can minimize the chipping when he pulls the frets, and then use hide glue to glue any chips back in place. I would oil the board once or twice before taking it in for a refret.

Ryan

If you haven't noticed any adverse affects in 18 years of non oiling, then I wouldn't think anything too bad is wrong. Where in Nashville are you? I'm in Murfreesboro.

Ebony does need oiling, but not nearly as often as say, rosewood (which usually needs it a couple times every year to be healthy at all). While chipping is a danger, the quot;dangerquot; you're most likely to encounter is playability issues. Dried out fingerboards tend to shrink a bit. Do you find the fret edges feel sharp? Things of that nature. Also, dry wood doesn't react tonally the same.

Odds are that while you didn't do any oiling yourself,there is a good chance that it got oiled during any set-ups you may have had.
Also the board probably got some oil from your hands over the years.

What kind of oil should you use on rosewood? Linsead oil?

I have an old Ovation acoustic that never got anything in about 20 years but an occasional hit of Fast Fret! No damage whatsoever to the rosewood. I have started to oil it as of a few years ago, but rosewood is rather forgiving. Even dry shrinkage can be corrected with a bit of humidity.


Originally Posted by theboatcandreamWhat kind of oil should you use on rosewood? Linsead oil?pure lemon oil has been a standard for quite a while now. i grabbed some pure rosewood oil a while back and man, does that stuff smell good! I prefer it, but will be alternating with the lemon.

there are some good commercial products that other guys use, but good old 100% lemon oil can be found at most grocery stores, for little cash.

hey Scott, instead of alternating the oils, why not mix 'em?

Thanks guys...I'll hit the grocery store on the way home from work today for some lemon seed oil.
Hey Jolly...
I'm in Franklin....you gotta love Nashville.....EVERYONE...is a dang musician!! I feel like I have to spend a couple hours warming up before I go to the music store just so I don't make a fool of myself in front of the off duty Krispy kreem guy absolutely BLAZING on a flat top !!

hey newguy - how'd it work out? I really enjoy the playability of my guitars after I add oil (Lizard Spit - aka orange oil). It's like the wood thanks you for doing it, and the strings feel great.

Hey Dankerella, I don't know yet, I haven't had a chance to get to the store...still at work...I'll know tonight....I'm sure the wood will love it!..it's been a loooong dryyy spell.
I'll let you know.

Is there anything wrong with using linseed oil? I've heard of people using a mix of oils that include olive oil, so obviously there's some freedom here....

Different oils have different viscosities and acid levels,so may not always blend well.
Heavier oils are generally for sealing and could cause a build-up and choke the wood.
Tung oil is good for touching up a matte finish,(honest),but a little too heavy ,(IMO),for a board.
Linseed oil is one part of a finish base,(supposedly Stradovarius originated this blend-quick trivia:His finishes were considered so unbelievable that his body was exumed,[according to myth],to see if his formulae was buried with him.But I believe that he created what came to be known as French Polish finishing,but I'd have to look that up).
Orange oil should be used sparingly-it does have a higher acidity level than lemon oil.
Olive Oil is a new one for me.It does make sense that it may have been used,but I would be careful with off the shelf oils.They tend to be processed.The type of olive oil,(speaking as a chef now),depends on the number pressing of the olive.There are also different grades,generally the type that would be be safest would also be among the most expensive.
And that would just be a waste of good cooking material,(I love guitars but as a chef I just can't get past that idea-personal quirk I know).

I use Ecowood Oil, it's a citrus and nut oil blend that's designed for wooden food implements (The Chef should approve!) Problem is that it's made in Australia, which isn't a hassle for me but for you North of the Equator sometimes the boot is on the other foot.
Always clean the fretboard and I use Methylated spirits/ de-natured alcohol to clean off the grime. Sweat, dead skin, beer, pizza and stuff CSI can't identify comes off and the Oil can do it's work.
Did ask a custom guitar builder recently and he says that any furniture polish for use with raw/natural woods shouldn't cause any harm. He uses Marveer.

The chef approves