Linseed Oil Application

[Big-Al]

So we have two premier guitar repair experts, Frank Ford (recommends mineral oil) and Dan Erlewine (recommends the StewMac Fretboard Finishing Oil, see other comments above). Two great sources, in disagreement.

They're not necessarily in disagreement. There just might be more than one suitable product for the job.

 

[adorshki]

I used it on a lacquer finished Seagull without a problem. The solvents listed in the Watco MSDS (Stoddard, naptha, and mineral spirits) shouldn't be a problem with a Nitro finish.

Clarification noted, thanks!

If your guitar finish is old and cracking, that's a different story. Any kind of oil could penetrate the cracks and soak into the wood . . . as would any kind of wax or polish.

Agreed

 

[adorshki]

They're not necessarily in disagreement. There just might be more than one suitable product for the job.

Think we also need to be aware that what's true for acoustic fretboards isn't necessarily so for electrics, so what kinds of boards are being talked about?
It might even be that one type's better suited for a given wood than another.
Maple boards for example aren't supposed to get lemon oil, and have been lacquered as well.
Can't recall seeing a maple board on an acoustic though.

 

[kostask]

In the Dan Erlewine video, he is oiling up an acoustic guitar while talking about the StewMac Fretboard Finishing Oil.

The Frets.com site has next to nothing about electric guitars. if you look at the web page that was pointed to, The guitar is most definitely NOT an electric guitar, nor is it finished or a maple board.

The text on the StewMac description of their Fretboard Finishing Oil is pretty straightforward, and quite to the point, regarding the use of mineal oil.

I don't think there is much to be read into either Mr. Ford's or Mr. Erlewine's statements. They are simply in disagreement.

 

[bobouz]

Erlewine is definitely barking up a new tree. He recommends lemon oil in the last installment of his repair guides published in 2007. Clearly, this is a new product developed by Stew-Mac, and Stew-Mac continues to sell Lemon Oil as well.

It would be very interesting to see the pros & cons of these two differing camps debated by the experts.

As for me, I'll stick with what I've been doing for close to a half century - it's worked great so far!

 

[kostask]

My point exactly. There are a lot of things that have changed over time, not just in this area, but in many areas of guitar maintenance and repair. As time goes on, knowledge increases, and better, safer and in many cases, cheaper ways of doing things come along.

I have no doubt that the StweMac Fretboard Finishing oil is some sort of blended linseed oil, or similar type product, and that Mr. Erlewine is shilling the product. However, the statements in the StewMac description are thate in black and white, and are accurate.

Note alos that the use of "lemon oil" (which, by the way is mostly NOT lemon oil) is recommeded by Frank Ford, and sold by StewMac, yet more than one guitar maker has specified is to not be used.

 

[davismanLV]

I bought some Kyser Klassics Dr. Stringfellow "Lem-Oil" fretboard conditioner. Honest to god it has some vague warnings and then refers the the MSDS for poison control and at the end says contact a poison control center. There is absolutely NO INDICATION of what's in this stuff, but if I had to make a GUESS... it's mineral oil with lemon scent added. Needless to say, I stopped using it quite a while back.

I don't think mineral oil is bad. As a sealant it works fairly well. I dunno. I've got about 20 years left with these instruments and then it will be someone ELSE'S problem. So I keep it kinda basic and use as FEW products as I can.

If wood could talk, I'm sure it could tell us some fun stories......

 

[crank]

I have been using lemon oil for years...mainly because I have some I use for the interior, unvarnished teak in my boat's cabin. I don;t think it really matters all that much what you use though. I also probably only use it every few years. When I change strings I clean the fretboard with Murphy's Oil Soap.