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Coconut Oil?

There’s a “red oil” that’s used for furniture ( can’t remember the name xactly ). I’ve used that all my life on rosewood. Amazing results!

Further investigation shows that “lemon oil” is just mineral oil with lemon scent , and that the “red oil” I made reference to is the same mineral oil with a red dye.

For all I know , this could be 0w40 valvoline!
 
Yes, if you want to keep the moisture content of the wood fairly constant. It's a sealer.

Ebony, for example, will start to chip at the neck heel if it gets too dry.
If you want to keep the moisture content of the wood fairly constant, you'd better invest in an air humidifier. Ebony is one of the hardest woods, it is dense enough to sink in water. It's almost like glass, it is so dense that I hardly believe that any oil can penetrate its pores. You can do it if you like, but you do not need it.
 
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to clean or not to clean...

https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-is-fingerboard-oil-snake-oil/

Fretboard Oil | Taylor Guitars

I use the Fret Doctor oil twice a year on all my basses (unfinished ebony and pau ferro fingerboards).
Ah, the list of in-your-face links that prove everything without any valid explanation.. What do you think these commercial links demonstrate? When so-called experts hope to sell me something, they are no longer experts, they are merchants. In addition, you seem to contradict yourself with this one: https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-is-fingerboard-oil-snake-oil/ I quote a passage: "Dryness is the only sure way I know to get a crack in your fingerboard. So, no, wood doesn’t need anything smeared on it to keep it from cracking. All it needs is a stable, properly humidified environment."

I'd like to know why you think you have to do it. Because you were told to do it? Do you play piano? The black keys are ebony and are not oiled. Do you play chess? The black pieces are ebony and are not oiled. Do you play violin? The ebony fingerboard does not need to be oiled. Today we still have violins that are over 200 years old and whose fingerboards are in perfect condition. Again, you can do it, but you don't need it.

I hope I did not offend you, I just wish to restore the truth.

to clean or not to clean...
 
hi Doc :)

Coconut oil smells very nice. That 's why it has always been used for cosmetical products.

The problem is that it degrades very fast (it will start to stink!)

treating a unfinished fretless fingerboard

I know many recommend lemon oil

Lemon oil is just mineral oil with ester scent added

:thumbsup: or boiled linseed oil with lemon scent.


Boiled linseed oil has been used for centuries to protect wooden surfaces (carpentry, furniture… instruments)

It works great and is a lot cheaper than the products that are marketed especially for guitars. :D


greetings

Wise(b)ass
 
I got some mineral oil to use on a custom.. kitchen spoon I got from a local craftsman. Heh

It occurred to me that if the artisan in question recommends mineral oil to seal & protect his spoon, it must a) do the trick, also non-toxically and b) not go rancid or become dangerous in any normal circumstances.

So I oiled the spoon, and when I discovered the oil Mauricio of MGBass sent me with his bass went thick and smelly, I used mineral oil on that custom bass's fretboard, and it has been glossy. So I went with it for my remaining ones, and they seem to love it.
 
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I got some mineral oil to use on a custom.. kitchen spoon I got from a local craftsman. Heh

It occurred to me that if the artisan in question recommends mineral oil to seal & protect his spoon, it must a) do the trick, also non-toxically and b) not go rancid or become dangerous in any normal circumstances.

So I oiled the spoon, and when I discovered the oil Mauricio of MGBass sent me with his bass went thick and smelly, I used mineral oil on that custom bass's fretboard, and it has been glossy. So I went with it for my remaining ones, and they seem to love it.
Hopefully you will not dip the neck of your bass in tomato sauce. :D
 
Would coconut oil be a good choice for treating a unfinished fretless fingerboard?

No.
You'll find yourself licking it everytime there's a rest. You'll get strange looks. Or worse, you might leave your bass on a stand and when you return find 4 people licking the fingerboard.
I wouldn't do it. Unless civilisation breaks down and you need to hunt other humans for their flesh. IN that case you can use it as bait.

Ok, I have no idea, I admit it.
 

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