ezbass Posted May 25, 2021 Share Posted May 25, 2021 12 minutes ago, Stub Mandrel said: I saw the Hamsters once and 'Snail's Pace Slim' (Barry Martin) sprayed his guitar's neck with WD40 between every song. Yeah, me too, it was weird, almost like a nervous tic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulThePlug Posted May 25, 2021 Share Posted May 25, 2021 (edited) 16 minutes ago, Stub Mandrel said: I saw the Hamsters.... The Hamsters... that takes me back... Frog 'n Bucket, Ide Hill A 'Fast Fret' Fan IIRC... Edited May 25, 2021 by PaulThePlug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killed_by_Death Posted May 25, 2021 Author Share Posted May 25, 2021 2 minutes ago, ezbass said: if you’re going to hold court I'm not, it's a discussion. You trolled, I bit, let's move on. You folks have a knack for pretending to be polite with an insidious intent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted May 26, 2021 Share Posted May 26, 2021 10 hours ago, Killed_by_Death said: I'm not, it's a discussion. You trolled, I bit, let's move on. You folks have a knack for pretending to be polite with an insidious intent. Well at the risk of causing further upset, lets recap and see what we appear to be facts: Oiling your fretboard can make it look and feel more pleasant. Over oiling can cause problems by softening the fretboard. Oiling varnished fretboards can cause unpleasant streaking. Then some points which are matters of opinion, but less contentious: Sellers of fretboard oil emphasise the benefits of their products to help drive sales, which may encourage over-use. Significant damage is rare and moderate use of fretboard oil doesn't seem to cause problems. Custom fingerboard oil isn't significantly different in performance or effects, but smells more pleasant. My personal opinion: More instruments are ruined through over adjustment of truss rods and clumsy customisation; no-one is going to say 'stop adjusting your truss rod' or 'don't fit new pickups'. 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bloke_zero Posted May 26, 2021 Share Posted May 26, 2021 (edited) [delete] Edited May 26, 2021 by bloke_zero Rethought my involvement here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted May 26, 2021 Share Posted May 26, 2021 1 hour ago, Stub Mandrel said: Well at the risk of causing further upset, lets recap and see what we appear to be facts: Oiling your fretboard can make it look and feel more pleasant. Over oiling can cause problems by softening the fretboard. Oiling varnished fretboards can cause unpleasant streaking. Then some points which are matters of opinion, but less contentious: Sellers of fretboard oil emphasise the benefits of their products to help drive sales, which may encourage over-use. Significant damage is rare and moderate use of fretboard oil doesn't seem to cause problems. Custom fingerboard oil isn't significantly different in performance or effects, but smells more pleasant. My personal opinion: More instruments are ruined through over adjustment of truss rods and clumsy customisation; no-one is going to say 'stop adjusting your truss rod' or 'don't fit new pickups'. That's a helpful summary, thanks. Some useful comments at the start of the thread about: don't ever oil maple fretboards - any other woods fall into the maple / never to be oiled category? in moderation = limiting oiling fretboards to a maximum of once a year: is that a useful 'rule of thumb'? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted May 26, 2021 Share Posted May 26, 2021 2 hours ago, Stub Mandrel said: no-one is going to say 'stop adjusting your truss rod' or 'don't fit new pickups'. Oh, I don't know, wait around a bit 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killed_by_Death Posted May 26, 2021 Author Share Posted May 26, 2021 The thing about adjusting the truss-rod is that many many people will advise to adjust w/o checking the neck-relief first. 'just give it a 1/4 turn' No, check the neck relief! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killed_by_Death Posted May 29, 2021 Author Share Posted May 29, 2021 re: fret sprout IF the oil protected the wood, as so many claim, then it wouldn't develop fret-sprout over Winter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlungerModerno Posted May 29, 2021 Share Posted May 29, 2021 27 minutes ago, Killed_by_Death said: re: fret sprout IF the oil protected the wood, as so many claim, then it wouldn't develop fret-sprout over Winter That's a good point, I think most people believe it helps slow down the woods changing with the seasons, rather than stopping it. I could be wrong about that of course. I think the reality is the finish, unless it's some sort of metalized finish (kinda like the inside of a packet of crisps?) or made of glass it will tend to allow water vapour in and out very gradually even if the entire instrument is sealed. Given most basses have raw wood in the neck pocket, pickup routes, and elsewhere like the machine head holes which mean water can slowly get in and out, even if you have a ""sealed" fretboard under a hard finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killed_by_Death Posted May 29, 2021 Author Share Posted May 29, 2021 It might inhibit moisture ingress or loss if you take it into a different humidity level for a short period of time, but not hanging on the wall 23 hours/day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timplog Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 a small, insignificant, little known maker in california called "alembic" specifically recommends pure food-grade lemon oil (no it's not got anything else in it) for their ebony fretboards, once or twice annually, advice I've taken for years, just to present an actual user's viewpoint into the mix. cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 36 minutes ago, timplog said: a small, insignificant, little known maker in california called "alembic" specifically recommends pure food-grade lemon oil (no it's not got anything else in it) for their ebony fretboards, once or twice annually, advice I've taken for years, just to present an actual user's viewpoint into the mix. cheers That's what I have used since owning an Alembic (which I no longer have). If it's good enough for Alembic, it should be OK for a cooking Fender. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timplog Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 my rosewood, wenge, and ebony boards all receive this treatment with zero downside, don't really understand the backlash...guess they don't sell it in music stores next to the dunlop and wd-40 varieties. pure, food grade lemon stay safe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellzero Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 Stop boiling your fretboards ! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timplog Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 or roiling your bedboards 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maude Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 Stop soiling your wet fjords? 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 (edited) 2 hours ago, timplog said: a small, insignificant, little known maker in california called "alembic" specifically recommends pure food-grade lemon oil (no it's not got anything else in it) for their ebony fretboards, once or twice annually, advice I've taken for years, just to present an actual user's viewpoint into the mix. cheers Well, they want to sit back and wait for the lawsuits 🙂 Pure lemon oil with nothing else in it is nasty stuff; you are much better using light mineral oil with a drop of lemon oil in it (e.g. Jim Dunlop 65). (note that when used for flavouring food you should only use one or two drops). https://www.essentialoilsdirect.co.uk/lemon-citrus_limonum-essential_oil.html Quote Hazard Statements H226, Flammable liquid and vapour. H304, May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways. H315, Causes skin irritation. H317, May cause an allergic skin reaction. H410, Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. Precautionary Statements P210, Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames and hot surfaces. - No smoking. P241, Use explosion-proof electrical, ventilating and lighting equipment. P262, Do not get in eyes, on skin or on clothing. P273, Avoid release to the environment. P280, Wear protective gloves/eye protection/face protection. P301/310, IF SWALLOWED: Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician. P303/361/353, IF ON SKIN (or hair): Remove/take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with water/shower. P331, Do not induce vomiting. Supplementary Precautionary Statements P405, Store locked up. P501, Dispose of contents/container to approved disposal site, in accordance with local regulations. 2.3 Other Hazards PBT or vPvB according to Annex XIII No additional data available. Adverse physio-chemical properties No additional data available. Adverse effects on human health With the presence of furocoumarins, the product may have phototoxic effects (Skin). Edited June 29, 2021 by Stub Mandrel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timplog Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 who knows recommended something like 50 years by alembic I've always used my finger to rub it in. Guess I'll get some terrible reaction some day. anything for the music🙃 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timplog Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 ....in the interest of science I just tried igniting this lemon oil and it will not. zippo there are no petroleum derivatives or alcohol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted June 30, 2021 Share Posted June 30, 2021 (edited) 10 hours ago, timplog said: ....in the interest of science I just tried igniting this lemon oil and it will not. zippo there are no petroleum derivatives or alcohol. I've got to be honest, I suspect you 'pure lemon oil' is cut with something - concentrated limonene, the main component is easily flammable and causes contact dermatitis as well as killing fish. But most of all, if you used enough to cover a fingerboard your bandmates would be saying you smell like a washing up liquid factory! Whilst 'food grade' lemon oil is pure and concentrated lemon oil as sold in supermarkets for cooking is cut with vegetable oil: https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/289599286 Tesco Sicilian Lemon Extract 60Ml Ingredients INGREDIENTS: Rapeseed Oil, Lemon Oil. Personally, my worry would be that vegetable oils (as opposed to mineral oils) are more liable to oxidation and becoming sticky and horrible. Actually, would you be kind enough to share a picture of the lemon oil you use? Edited June 30, 2021 by Stub Mandrel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted June 30, 2021 Share Posted June 30, 2021 Interesting! I found this on Alembic's website (forum sewction): Quote You will need to oil your fingerboard at least twice a year. We recommend using Jasco brand lemon oil, but any transparent lemon oil will do nicely. Avoid brands that are cloudy, their high wax content only leaves your fingerboard dirty and all that wax makes your strings go dead more quickly. Jasco brand seems to be no longer available, but I also found: Quote Is Jasco oil safe to use on speaker cabinets? | Audiokarma ... https://audiokarma.org › ... › Speakers 11 Jul 2007 — I have this ancient bottle of Jasco oil. It says that it contains pure lemon oil and petroleum distillates. I've used it on speakers before, I think.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiMarco Posted June 30, 2021 Share Posted June 30, 2021 (edited) What this is still going on? NOT OILED: OILED: Same bass, same camera (samsung phone) before and after. Dunlop 65 lemon oil on fretboard and headstock. Keep oiling your fretboards people, it helps. Just not when the board is Maple. Maple should be left alone. Edited June 30, 2021 by DiMarco 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timplog Posted June 30, 2021 Share Posted June 30, 2021 (edited) error oops Edited June 30, 2021 by timplog error 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted July 1, 2021 Share Posted July 1, 2021 Fair enough! I would be nervous about using that myself - note it stresses using a carrier oil when used on skin! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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