Oiling the fretboard

[Henning]

Hello, I've heard that linseed oil on the fretboard of rosewood will make it go black over time. But what about Paraffin oil on rosewood, please?
The paraffin oil is from the pharmacy and the latin name is paraffinum liquidum. There seems to be the important difference between raw and boiled linseed oil.

[rick-slo]

In fifty plus years I never have oiled a fretboard on any of my guitars. They are all fine. On the other hand they are all ebony fretboards.

[Henning]

I clean my hands before touching any instrument. Still the fretboards tend to collect grime and even start to smell bad after some time. The oil is supposed to protect the fretboard from drying out.

[Silly Moustache]

Hej Henning, jag använder ett lack som heter "Regency Gold" -det är gjort för Atique-möbler, så inga otäcka beståndsdelar. 500ml räcker ett år eller mer och jag har 15 gitarrer!

Jag använder den väldigt sparsamt på en knappt fuktig trasa på alla srface m, inklusive greppbräda och brygga.
Lycka till, Ol'Andy i England.

https://regencygold.co.uk/product/th...-regency-gold/

[Birdbrain]

Dunlop sells a Lemon Oil Fretboard Conditioner called "65." I use it whenever I change strings. It seems to work well and do no harm.

[Jaxon]

i've never put anything on any of my fretboards in 60 years, don't wash my clean hands before playing and use only a damp cloth when I seldom clean and everythings fine

[Mandobart]

I've had some of my instruments for 40 and 50 years. I've oiled their fretboard/fingerboards maybe 3 times. I have some vintage instruments from the 1800's and 1930's - they've also been oiled maybe once or twice since I've owned them.

For my other newer instruments they've got the treatment once. None of my instruments have ever exhibited cracking, shrinking or other fretboard/fingerboard problems, even when I've lived in the very dry conditions of the Rocky mountains.

I use Music Nomad F-ONE Oil when/if I feel it's needed. I apply a thin even coat, just enough to cover the board. Let it stand for 10 - 20 minutes, wipe off and hand buff.

Most fretboard products are nothing more than mineral oil, sometimes with lemon scent added.

Oiling too frequently, IMO, invites dirt buildup as dust, dirt and contaminants can stick to the oil.

[redir]

I'm also in the camp that says fretboards don't need oil.

If I do a refret and resurface I will finish the FB with Howard's Feed Wax just like I do on a custom guitar build. After that it's good to go unless perhaps you severely dry the poor thing out. Then it might need retreatment.

[maxtheaxe]

About the most I ever do is to use 'Finger-ease' occasionally...it's main active ingredient is mineral oil, thinned out with whatever the propellant is. Keeps everything clean, with no buildup or softening of the wood; all mine are also ebony, though.

I don't think I'd use linseed in any case...seems that would be too much.

[nikpearson]

And have used the Dunlop 65, Music Nomad Fingerboard Oil, Dr Duck’s Axe Wax, etc,

Boiled linseed oil dries much more quickly than the raw form which can take many days. Taylor use boiled linseed oil at the factory and suggest this is a one of or at most very occasion task.

The Dunlop 65 has a very low viscosity and dries quickly; I find it better for cleaning prior to final conditioning.

A light coat of fingerboard oil helps even out the colour of the board and can help dirt from soaking into the wood. Mostly thing it just makes for a nicer playing experience and better looking instrument.