Fretboard Lubrication, Yes or No?

[Berny]

I spoke with a guy who played at our folk club recently about attributes of using fretboard lube during his performance. He said it helped to make his guitar easier to play. I bought some '******' orchestrral 65' and have used it a few times, but I'm not sure I know enough about the way I play to make a reasoned apraisal as to it's usefulness?
What say you ppl?

[Fngrstyl]

I use Guitar Honey probably once, maybe twice a year. I like how it really brings the black ebony out. I put some on the bridge too. A little of this stuff goes a long way. Is he meaning he gets a little lube on his fingers as he plays? That might make the guitar feel a little better to him? As far as easier to play mine, I use Elixirs (so that is already smooth) and have both guitars set up by a great Luthier. They couldn't play any better. I let the Guitar Honey soak in well too before I play them, and wipe off any excess. I dont want any on my fingers from playing

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by Berny

...What say you ppl?

Hi Berny...

Had a friend who used to spray "finger eze" on his neck, and we all just moved away when he pulled out the can.

It just gums up the neck and attracts dirt, dust and other gunk.

[Kerbie]

Like Chad, I use Guitar Honey a couple times a year. The fretboards do get some buildup of grease and dirt, but I don't think they need to be cleaned very often. It helps a lot if you tend to play with clean hands.

[AndrewG]

There's no need to feed ebony (or maple)-it's too dense to absorb anything. Rosewood might need cleaning a couple of times a year, and I use lemon oil for that. Aside from that there's more than enough oil in your skin chemistry without buying into hype.

[fedora]

Depends on where you plan on shoving that fingerboard.

[ljguitar]

Like Chad, I use Guitar Honey a couple times a year. The fretboards do get some buildup of grease and dirt, but I don't think they need to be cleaned very often. It helps a lot if you tend to play with clean hands.

Hi folks...

The original post is about fingerboard lubrication, not oiling the fingerboard. There is a vast difference between a couple drops of mineral oil and buffing it off immediately and the fingerboard lubricants which supposedly make one play faster.

And mine only get the mineral oil treatment about once in 18 months. And the couple drops get buffed off well.

[gregsguitars]

Once or twice a year is all I condition my fingerboard if it looks dry.

[Jim Owen]

The stuff that sprays on--such as finger ease--attracts gunk. I would avoid it. I think that our hands have natural oils that work just fine.

[mc1]

Originally Posted by Berny

I spoke with a guy who played at our folk club recently about attributes of using fretboard lube during his performance. He said it helped to make his guitar easier to play. I bought some '******' orchestral 65' and have used it a few times, but I'm not sure I know enough about the way I play to make a reasoned apraisal as to it's usefulness?
What say you ppl?

i searched and found this page:
http://www.jimdunlop.com/products/ac...ies/formula-65

wow, who knew there were so many products.

it would seem that this one (ultraglide 65 string conditioner) is the most like "fretboard lube":
http://www.jimdunlop.com/product/ult...ng-conditioner

[fedora]

Decent setup, decent strings, decent technique and there's no need.

[Opa John]

Three guitars here.......all with rosewood fretboards.

I use a couple of drops of Dunlop "65" lemon oil maybe once every two years. A little of it goes a long way.

I can remember when I was a kid, and didn't know any better, I used to spray the whole fretboard down with WD-40! Looked good, but I don't think I was doing the fretboard any good. Those guitars, BTW, are long gone.

[handers]

No. Use nothing. Wipe with moist rag. Keep guitar properly humidified.

Hans

[Landru]

Do it if you want, but the fretboard does not need it.

[random works]

I don't put anything on my fingerboards; I think my hands have a residual amount of oil, even after washing, so the fingerboard gets that in small doses.