Oiling Question

[Hein]

Hey,

I've just finished cleaning my fretboard (maple), all it needs now is re-oiling. I know you're supposed gun stock oil to do this but i'm not sure wether you can get this in the uk or not (since we don't have gun shops!), so can anyone recommend anything else to use?

My freind has just bought some 'tung oil with resin disolved in it' for oiling some pine wood furnature which apparently worked really well. It says on the bottle that it's well suited to use on surfaces that receive alot of wear......would this be of any use?

I figured it would be best to ask before i do anything, i don't want to wreck my lovely sterling

 

[hankSRay]

I wouldnt use tung oil, if i remember correctly that stuff can be kinda sticky when it dries. If I were you id order some birchwood casey gun stock oil from their website(birchwoodcasey.com) this stuff comes out nice

 

[bovinehost]

Once you've cleaned the maple fretboard, DO NOT APPLY GUNSTOCK OIL.

That is only for the back of the neck! Stop! Do not pass go!

Cleaning should be enough for the fingerboard. Some guys use PURE lemon oil, not the furniture stuff, as the furniture stuff contains wax and other things, but I never did and you could do the same.

But if you MUST do something, be sure to use lemon oil on the fingerboard.

 

[Hein]

Ahh sorry, i was under the impression that the fretboard would need re-oiling as it's not laquered or anything. It definatly needs somthing doing as it's completely lost it's sheen.

I DID have some lemon oil but i took it back to the shop becuase it has 'not suitable for use on maple fretboards' written on the back,which is confusing me now

I did a search around the forums and found some info but i got confused by alot of it becuase i didn't know wether it was talking about the fretboard or back of neck, or maple/rosewood fretboard. So i'm sorry if this has been talked about alot.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[bovinehost]

It has been talked about a lot, but I didn't want you to do anything rash.

Back of neck - gunstock oil.

Fingerboard - NOT GUNSTOCK OIL.

I recommend nothing but keeping it clean, but pure lemon oil if you just HAVE to.

 

[Hein]

Cheers for that bovine, it's much appreciated

 

[JB1]

Hein, check www.stringsdirect.co.uk

I got my lemon oil there. I have a rosewood board though so check first....

 

[LowDownDave]

And just FYI, I too thought I would have trouble purchasing gunstock oil here in the UK (and maybe it will become more difficult to find with the recent-ish fox hunting ban) but this simply isn't the case. Birchwood Casey gunstock oil (as recommended in the Musicman FAQ) can be purchased here in the UK from www.thegunshop.co.uk/casey.htm

I've yet to use any of mine, but just thought you'd like to know it is available if and when you may require it. So we both made originally incorrect assumptions about the demand for well-oiled guns here in the UK

 

[Squozen]

Any idea where we can get it in Australia? I just put a deposit on a Stingray this morning!

 

[element]

I use Kyser Lemon Oil to clean the back of my maple neck. Theres no mention of it not being suitable for maple on the bottle, never used it on my fingerboard before though.

 

[blackspy]

Hmm.. this is the first I've heard of not oiling the fretboard. This is discussed in the guitar group often, and I've never seen anyone say not to oil the fretboard. It's the same type of wood, exposed to the same humidity levels, etc.. why would you not oil it?

 

[Hein]

ARGH, now you're confusing me even more

 

[blackspy]

From the MM Bass Guitar FAQ.

Q: How do I maintain the neck on my new Music Man bass?

A: To clean the neck, use a small dose of high-grade lemon oil. If the neck is very dirty, give us a call or email us at [email protected].

Since the neck is unfinished, it is more susceptible to humidity changes. A very infrequent dose of gunstock oil will help to keep the neck maintained; we recommend and use Birchwood-Casey Tru-Oil, but any good quality gunstock oil will work. Clean neck first. Use a small amount of Tru-oil, leave it on for 5 minutes, then wipe it off with a paper towel. Then apply Birchwood-Casey Tru-Wax. Be sure to douse the paper towel with water before disposing of it! Read the wax and oil manufacturer's instructions regarding disposal of these used paper towels.

Birchwood-Casey products are available at most sporting goods or gun stores. Their web address is http://www.birchwoodcasey.com.

Rosewood fingerboards should not be treated with gunstock oil; instead they should be treated with a high grade of lemon oil.

For cleaning, try using the same high grade of lemon oil to clean the entire neck, both maple and rosewood fretboards. Keep in mind that if the dirt or grease has been worked into the wood, it cannot be removed except by sanding it down, which we do not recommend unless exercised with extremely fine sandpaper (1200-1600 grit), and even then very sparingly. It is better to keep it clean in the first place. Washing your hands first helps!

Some discoloration after many hours of playing is normal on unfinished necks. Be sure to follow all of the manufacturers recommended safety precautions when using any of these oils or waxes.

 

[skabassist13]

It doesnt say that you cant for a maple board?!?!

 

[bovinehost]

Well, I thought I'd given this my best shot, but if you want to try putting gunstock oil on your fingerboard, don't call me!

 

[AnthonyD]

I would not take the "omission" to represent "permission"- while there is specific direction NOT to apply gun-stock oil to a rosewood fretboard, keep in mind that it does not specifically say to that you should/may apply gun-stock oil to a maple fretboard.

I interpret the "neck" to mean just that - the part sitting in my palm... The part BEHIND the fretboard.

For what's unclear, I'd leverage some of the experience of those among us. Perhaps this would be best settled by the appropriate EB representative...

 

[bovinehost]

This post represents - hopefully - my last contribution to this subject. This is why I try to stay out of the setup discussions and now the question of how to maintain maple fingerboards.

(My therapist says it's bad for me.)

The neck is the part against your palm. The fingerboard or fretboard is the part you put your fretting fingers on. Now we're all clear on that.

Here is what I would do.

Maple neck, rosewood board: clean/treat neck as per the FAQ. Rosewood can benefit from an occasional (like once a year) treatment of boiled linseed oil.

Maple neck, maple board: clean/treat neck as per the FAQ. The fingerboard can be cleaned with Murphy's, but if you wipe it down regularly with a clean, dry cloth (old t shirts rule), you should be okay. IF you must do anything to the maple board, use lemon oil specifically designed for this purpose. IF you use the lemon oil, use it SPARINGLY and use it no more than once or twice a year.

Why? Lemon oil will begin to darken the maple. Also, if you over-use it, apply it every two weeks or something, your frets will begin to lift from the excessive moisture.

Now argue amongst yourselves, but I am done.

 

[AnthonyD]

Maple neck, rosewood board: clean/treat neck as per the FAQ. Rosewood can benefit from an occasional (like once a year) treatment of boiled linseed oil.

Oh boy... Now look what you've done!

 

[JB1]

Well, I learned something from Bove's last post.

I use the ole LO front & back, but I'll only be doing it twice a year max.

 

[bassmonkeee]

This post represents - hopefully - my last contribution to this subject. This is why I try to stay out of the setup discussions and now the question of how to maintain maple fingerboards.

(My therapist says it's bad for me.)

The neck is the part against your palm. The fingerboard or fretboard is the part you put your fretting fingers on. Now we're all clear on that.

Here is what I would do.

Maple neck, rosewood board: clean/treat neck as per the FAQ. Rosewood can benefit from an occasional (like once a year) treatment of boiled linseed oil.

Maple neck, maple board: clean/treat neck as per the FAQ. The fingerboard can be cleaned with Murphy's, but if you wipe it down regularly with a clean, dry cloth (old t shirts rule), you should be okay. IF you must do anything to the maple board, use lemon oil specifically designed for this purpose. IF you use the lemon oil, use it SPARINGLY and use it no more than once or twice a year.

Why? Lemon oil will begin to darken the maple. Also, if you over-use it, apply it every two weeks or something, your frets will begin to lift from the excessive moisture.

Now argue amongst yourselves, but I am done.

Should I use boiled linseed oil, or lemon oil, on a blue sparkle finish?










Ow, Jack, quit with the hitting!