Fretboard care

Marktime · #1 06-12-2010, 11:32 AM

Just an FYI, recently acquired an older bass that has what appeared to be a slightly dry fretboard. IE Pau Ferro ( a version of rosewood so I have heard) . So I used a good product to re moisturize the fretboard ( Lizard Spit, uses orange oil great stuff). Well anyway I was suprised and now very suprised to see how dry the wood was. I treated and let this soak three times between string change outs over the past 4 months. Low and behold the last soaking ( each at about 30 minutes a piece) the wood is looking as it should from pictures of this wood. Don't get me wrong either the product used is some of the best I have seen and up there with top lemon oil compounds. ( have used a few over the years). But was so suprised to see how dry wood can get and not be that noticable. The wood looks great now too.
As a side note used the same treatment on my very dry jazz bass fretboard and only took 1 fifteen minute treatment to make it look almost dark brown from very light.. So persistence pays off sometimes..

Cheers.

flewis · #2 06-13-2010, 01:16 PM

Sounds like you have it under control! Great Job! In the future may want to try Planet Waves 'HYDRAKE' Fingerboard Conditioner. Roger Sadowsky recommends it!

StyleOverShow · #3 06-13-2010, 01:26 PM

I used Dunlop 65 Lemon Oil on my ebony fretboards and was amazed at the difference.
Following your experience will soak the boards the next time I change strings.

Amazing how the wood reacts, and it is not greasy at all.

Jimbob Jones · #4 06-14-2010, 10:42 AM

Raw linseed oil all the way for me.

FunkMetalBass · #5 06-14-2010, 12:00 PM

Mineral spirits and linseed oil work wonders for unsealed boards.

Growly Lytes · #6 01-12-2012, 09:21 PM

Orange Oil works wonders for me !

pflash4001 · #7 01-13-2012, 12:54 AM

So what's the difference in performance between orange oil and lemon oil? I use lemon oil on all my rosewood and pao ferro fretboards. I recently started using Gorgomyte to clean the frets and fretboard, but I still follow it up with lemon oil.

albatroz · #8 01-13-2012, 12:56 AM

I thought lemon oil was bad for rosewood...

pflash4001 · #9 01-13-2012, 01:30 AM

I had never heard that. Why is it bad?

Growly Lytes · #10 01-14-2012, 09:03 PM

Its not bad at all just some people dont want or like to use it.Orange or Lemon oil should be the same if its real.Not just some scented crap.
Orange has worked for me.