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May 2004
Posts: 295
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | A number of threads related to cleaning/nourishing fingerboards recommend lemon oil. In the FAQ section of the Martin website, the response to the question "Can I use lemon oil on my fingerboard"? is: "We do not recommend using lemon oil on our fingerboards. The acids in lemon oil break down the finish of our guitars. It may also aid the corrosion of the frets and lessen the life of the strings."
Has anyone had any negative results from using lemon oil on a fingerboard? |
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May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Gee, what do they recommend? I never had a problem, though I only applied it as needed. I imagine if you dunk it lemon oil everyday there'd be a problem. |
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April 2004
Posts: 265
Location: Warrenton, Virginia | i have never used lemon oil on my guitars. I use fingerboard/fretboard oil...you can get it at any guitar store for about 4 bucks |
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June 2002
Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | 33 years and never had a problem. I use it sparingly, however. I have noticed that it does tend to stain the inlays a bit, but that just adds to the vintage look in my opinion. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15684
Location: SoCal | I've always used a product specifically made to clean the fretboards. And I put it on quite lavishly, let it soak in, then wipe away the excess. I also put it on the bridges.
I do, however, use Lemon Pledge on the tops of my guitars. |
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August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | hmmm, usually use lemon oil on the fretboard (and on oiled surfaces) but on the Preacher Deluxe 12 that I just got in...used Bruce Dark'n'Rich liquid paste wax with cleaner. sure cleaned up the fretboard of old buildup and contrasted with the abalone inlaid even more. have used paste wax on the bridge. also, tried Paul B's suggestion and used Maguiar's cleaner wax on the Preacher Deluxe - good stuff but haven't tried on my other O's.
even use the lemon oil on my Martin (past and present)
don't know about the frets but wood is wood. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15684
Location: SoCal | Pics Calman. You gotta start posting more pics.
You're killing us here! |
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June 2002
Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | Tony is teasing us. He will show up at the SoCal jam session with a U-Haul trailer stocked to the hilt with O's. I can't wait. |
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December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | I can't even get lemonade |
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August 2002
Posts: 398
Location: So. Cal. | Back home we call that EFFERVÉ (lemonade). |
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July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | I've been using Kyser's Dr. Stringfellow Lem-Oil on my fingerboards and they seem fine. It really worked nicely on the boards on the 1978-vintage Legend and 1981-vintage GC 12-string I have. They didn't look like anything had EVER been used on them.....very dry.
Roger |
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February 2004
Posts: 1634
Location: Warren,Pa. | I use lemon oil on the fingerboard, neck and bridge of my '02 CL and '97 Collector's. I apply each time I change Elixers...maybe every 2 months or so. Those frets are nickel silver. In theory the acid could do some damage I suppose...but that would take so long that the guitars would need complete fret replacement jobs by then! And I don't thonk anything could hurt the finish on these guitars. It all sounds like a Martin problem! John <>{ |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Did anybody ever stop to think that this is Martin's clever rouse to steer people into buying/using THEIR fingerboard product?? |
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August 2003
Posts: 2246
Location: Yucaipa, California | Either that or their guitars just don't have the quality materials/workmanship of Ovations! :rolleyes: |
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April 2003
Posts: 183
Location: Denver, PA USA | Originally posted by cliff:
Did anybody ever stop to think that this is Martin's clever rouse to steer people into buying/using THEIR fingerboard product??
Martin does not have a fingerboard product. They claim the oil from your fingures is enough. but that brings up a question. It is commely said that Martin players never play above the 5th fret. some the 3rd. How would the upper frettboard get "oiled" as Martin has stated?
Bill |
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November 2002
Posts: 28
Location: Oregon USA | I recently started reading Dan Erlewine's book on guitar setup. It mainly covers electrics but I imagine the fingerboard advice is similar.
He recommends using linseed oil (the kind you get at the art supply store). I did try this on a cheapo import guitar for practice, and it made a world of difference in the appearance of the fingerboard. According to him, the stuff sold as "lemon oil" is usually just some other kind of oil with lemon scent added. I imagine that oil that was made from pure lemon ingredients would be very acidic indeed. |
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December 2003
Posts: 13997
Location: Upper Left USA | As in any product there can be several variances to the contents. Presently I have some Yamaha Fret Oil that has a slight lemon scent. I intend to go with the Linseed Oil next. This grade is similar to the boiled down variety discussed in other threads.
Any product should have an MSDS number associated with the packaging which can be printed off of the net or through the manufacturer's site! Anyone besides me anal enough to have those on hand in their workshop? |
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Lemon Oil a No-No?
