What's the best for cleaning and oiling wenge?

phishaholik · #1 11-10-2009, 02:31 PM

I got one of my old basses back today and I would like to clean the whole bass. What's the best product to use on the wenge neck? Should I just use lemon oil on the whole thing?

Thanks

Michael

rabidwolverine · #2 11-10-2009, 02:44 PM

on my warwicks that have wenge fretboards i use lemon oil, and i even use a little on my neck, i dont think you can ever go wrong with a little lemon oil

MaddAnthony_59 · #3 11-11-2009, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rabidwolverine

on my warwicks that have wenge fretboards i use lemon oil, and i even use a little on my neck, i dont think you can ever go wrong with a little lemon oil

+100. I oil my Kobuki with it as well!

lomo · #4 11-11-2009, 05:54 AM

FYI make sure it's pure, real lemon oil. Most of the cheaper stuff out there has additives like wax and other oils that can get gummy. IME real lemon oil is the best treatment for any nonsealed fretboard.

**DougD** · #5 11-11-2009, 06:26 AM

I use Dr. Duck's AxWax. Works great on fingerboard other than treated maple.

89JazzMan · #6 11-11-2009, 06:30 AM

FYI I have a mixture made by my set up guy for my warwick it is 2 parts lemon oil to one part vinegar. Works for me I would recomend using sparingly!!!

Hoover · #7 11-11-2009, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rabidwolverine

i dont think you can ever go wrong with a little lemon oil

There was a post by Roger Sadowsky maybe 5 or 7 years ago on one of the usenet newsgroups in which he explained why lemon oil is *not* recommended for fingerboards. I can't recall his reasons (perhaps he'll chime in here and remind us?) but it gave me pause...especially since I'd just bought a huge bottle of lemon oil the day before I read his advice!

lomo · #8 11-11-2009, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoover

There was a post by Roger Sadowsky maybe 5 or 7 years ago on one of the usenet newsgroups in which he explained why lemon oil is *not* recommended for fingerboards. I can't recall his reasons (perhaps he'll chime in here and remind us?) but it gave me pause...especially since I'd just bought a huge bottle of lemon oil the day before I read his advice!

Not to dis. Mr Sad at all, but I repectfully disagree, as do at least 3 local, respected luthiers I know (2 of which have been around a looong time). If the lemon oil is pure, it's superb on an unsealed fingerboard.

ddnidd1 · #9 11-11-2009, 09:09 AM

Here's the Sadowsky quote:

"The issue of adjusting the truss rod when oiling a fingerboard is not an issue. The issue is what kind of oil you are using and how long you are "soaking". I recommend linseed oil and DO NOT recommend soaking.

Just cover the entire fingerboard with enough oil to just "wet" the board, let it stand no more than 5 minutes, and wipe off all the excess with a dry paper towel. If you want to let it "air dry" overnight before you restring--that's OK--but don't "wet-soak" the board for long periods of time.

Oils that are sold for wood finishing like tung oil preparations get too gummy feeling in my opinion. I have always found lemon oil (as in Old English) to make boards dry out faster than if left alone. After 24 years of this, I still like linseed oil the best."

phishaholik · #10 11-11-2009, 09:16 AM

Thanks for all of the advice guys. I ended up using Dunlop fretboard lemon oil on the whole neck. I don't think it really absorbed much of the oil, but the neck is clean as a whistle now.

Michael

**Eric Perry** · #11 11-11-2009, 09:28 AM

I've always used lemon oil on my 'boards, and have never had an issue.

standupright · #12 11-11-2009, 09:28 AM

nothing but linseed oil for me.

Rich L · #13 04-30-2010, 07:12 PM

I've used StewMac's fretboard conditioning oil exclusively on my rosewood and ebony fingerboards and love it, but can I use it on wenge??
My Fortress just arrived and needs a little clean up and some adjustments and thought I'd ask before doing anything.
Thanks!

testing1two · #14 04-30-2010, 07:48 PM

For the record, most lemon oil products are actually solvents with lemon oil added (or even worse, just a lemon scent). They are meant to use as a cleaning agent for finished wood surfaces. For woods like wenge which are naturally oily, most builders use an oil & wax finish to keep moisture from penetrating (this also means that conditioners won't penetrate). Warwick & Ken Smith both sell their cleaner/wax for these types of finishes. I prefer the Ken Smith product since its a paste consistency and a little easier to apply but both work equally well in my experience.

Conditioning an unfinished fingerboard is a different story that has been discussed ad infinitum in other threads.

http://shop.warwick.de/product_info....-Finisher.html

http://www.kensmithbasses.com/access...ithpolish.html