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  #1  
Old 04-07-2020, 12:19 PM
Rangerdave1 Rangerdave1 is offline
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Default tung or lemon oil for fretboard??

Tung or lemon oil for hydrating a rosewood fretboard? I see Dunlop fretboard oil is lemon oil but not sure if they have their own special recipe or if the Circa 1850 wood finishing lemon oil I have will be fine..

thoughts?

Thanks
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Old 04-07-2020, 04:12 PM
charles Tauber charles Tauber is offline
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This subject comes up like clockwork: there are many discussions on it. In summary, lots of people don't use any kind of treatment for un-finished wooden guitar parts, lots of people do. Those that do use everything from linseed oil to 3-in-1 oil, including tung oil, "lemon" oil, mineral oil and various name-brand products. Everyone who applies something or other has a favourite.

Wood that is dry is not hydrated by adding oil.

In theory, applying too much oil can cause issues with re-fretting and finishing. In practice, sometimes it does, usually not, if applied sparingly.

The only reason to apply something to un-finished wood parts of a guitar is to make them look darker/wet and/or bring out the grain of the wood. In other words, it is cosmetic. Many people do it because they can and it make them feel like they are doing something in the way of maintenance.

What is typically sold as "lemon oil" is usually mineral oil to which a lemon scent has been added.

You'll get lots of opinions: do what you want, but it is best to do it sparingly and infrequently.
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Old 04-07-2020, 07:34 PM
Rangerdave1 Rangerdave1 is offline
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Thanks for the info. I guess I’m not looking so much to hydrate the wood as much as I want it look a little nicer as it looks a little dull. It’s a guitar I’m selling so just want to freshen The look up a bit.

I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t going to harm anything by using the a lemon oil or tung oil.
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Old 04-07-2020, 07:55 PM
Howard Klepper Howard Klepper is offline
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Both the phrases "lemon oil" and "tung oil" appear in a range of different products.

If you see both "lemon oil" and "furniture polish" together, it won't hurt anything to use it (lightly). Any product with the words "tung oil" has a good chance of being a mistake.
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Old 04-07-2020, 08:40 PM
Brucebubs Brucebubs is offline
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I used Music Nomad F-One on the fretboard and bridge of my Martin JDPII.



Just a few drops on a clean cloth.
I was so pleased I sent them these same 2 shots and they have used them on their site.
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1972 - Takamine D-70
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Old 04-08-2020, 08:31 AM
Rangerdave1 Rangerdave1 is offline
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Big difference!
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Old 04-08-2020, 11:25 AM
garyplais garyplais is offline
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I also use Music Nomad F-One and agree that it works great.
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  #8  
Old 04-08-2020, 04:50 PM
Brucebubs Brucebubs is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rangerdave1 View Post
Big difference!
Here's the step by step results on another bridge.



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Brucebubs

1972 - Takamine D-70
2014 - Alvarez ABT60 Baritone
2015 - Kittis RBJ-195 Jumbo
2012 - Dan Dubowski#61
2018 - Rickenbacker 4003 Fireglo
2020 - Gibson Custom Shop Historic 1957 SJ-200
2021 - Epiphone 'IBG' Hummingbird
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