CamdenRob Posted May 26, 2016 Share Posted May 26, 2016 (edited) I know this has been covered before, but I couldn't find what I wanted via the search so it's another thread I'm afraid... The ebony fretboard on my Wal is starting to look a bit scruffy after a year of heavy use and I want to clean it up a bit. I'm assuming I'll not get it back to the smooth black sheen it had when I first picked it up but I'd like to tidy it up a bit. I have some of that dunlop lemon oil stuff, is that the way to go? Edited May 26, 2016 by CamdenRob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twincam Posted May 26, 2016 Share Posted May 26, 2016 (edited) Urgh lemon oil. Give it a clean with water (damp cloth) then oil with boiled linseed oil, much better. Natural and i find it brings up wood better also seems to protect better from little scuffs. Can be bought cheaper and in greater volume. Lemon oil seems to dry out faster, it does smell nice though. Edited May 26, 2016 by Twincam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franzbassist Posted May 26, 2016 Share Posted May 26, 2016 It'll do the job well enough, although I'm sure someone will be along to recommend linseed oil or some other in due course. I would imagine the board isn't so badly eaten up that it needs any remedial work yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubis Posted May 26, 2016 Share Posted May 26, 2016 Assuming it's fretless? (Can't remember any fretted ebony Wals) I'd double check with Wal, but I used to do my Wal gently with 0000 wire wool, or if you have a sanding block of thr right radius, then 1000 grade wet and dry, again, lightly, just enough to clean the surface up. Oil if you wish, but I don't bother on my current fretless Lucky man, look after it! Harry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted May 26, 2016 Author Share Posted May 26, 2016 Thanks chaps... I'll give the lemon oil a go then and if that's not good enough I'll source something else Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mybass Posted May 26, 2016 Share Posted May 26, 2016 My double bass repairman used and advised to use (Yamaha) Bore Oil on my ebony fingerboard. It is usually used by woodwind players. Oil on a rag drawn through the instrument to keep the wood in good order considering all the 'moisture' that gets blown into it. As per usual, dab some on a piece of rag and apply, not onto the wood straight from the bottle. A 40ml bottle recently cost be around £7 online. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted May 30, 2016 Share Posted May 30, 2016 Hi Rob, if you've not done if already and don't have oil, I can bring some linseed oil to the Herts bass bash next weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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