Fretboard maintenance (rumours about lemonoil?)

[simonayrton]

I picked up a comment on another forum that there was a possibility that lemon oil could contain some corrosive elements that over a long period of time could degrade the wood on a fretboard.

Has anyone else heard this? I have been using some d'addario lemon oil on my rosewood and ebony necks for a few years now and not noticed anything. The guy who was posting on the other forum said his luthier suggested light grade 3 in 1 oil?

what do you use and have you had any long term problems?

[Jimbo]

The reason for this is that the lemon oil you use on your guitar is not actually oil that comes from lemons. Weird as it may seem, oil from lemons is indeed quite corrosive, especially to metals. The lemon oil you buy for your guitar is perfectly safe and actually protects the wood.

The moral of the story is only use lemon oil that is specifically made for guitars, as I suspect your d'Addario oil is. If you think that's too confusing, remember that if you have a tree that rosewood comes from (Dalbergia nigra for example), you'll never get roses on it.

[simonayrton]

Thanks for the comments guys & the science jimbo!!

Great tip on the masking tape that sounds like a great idea, I have heard of other people using linseed oil. I have heard most people say they oil the board a couple of times a year which seems fine to me.

on another slightly related note is there any way to combat excessive wear on the fretboard? I am not sure if it's just me and if i tend to press hard but after a while I notice wearing on certain parts of the board that get used more than others.

I recently picked up a second hand guitar that has got a small amount of wear too. Is there a point at which the wear afects the playability enough so that it needs sorting out. what happens then? is it a case of a new fretboard or is there something else that can be done?

Lots of questions! I am just curious really and interested in my precious guitar lasting many decades to come!