Why is lemon oil bad for Maple Fret Boards? - Guitars101

**jimmerwoo** · 04-18-2006, 05:10 AM

I just bought some Dunlop Fretboard 65 Ultimate Lemon Oil and was cleaning the fret board of my (maple) OLP MM1. Afterwards I read the instructions on the side (yeh I know - typical 'guy' trait)

It says..."Do not use Lemon Oil on Maple fretboards"

It cleaned it up nicely. But does it dry the fretboard out? If so.....what should I use instead?

Flet · 04-18-2006, 05:22 AM

Good question, because I've been using straight normal plain walmart lemon oil for over 10 years now on my wolfgang necks with absolutely not a hint of trouble. I oil them each about once every three months and I can only say the greatest thing about it. In fact, the wolfgang manual even mentions using lemon oil to remove stains on the fretboard due to use, so go figure. Maybe there is something in the wood of the OLP?

**jimmerwoo** · 04-18-2006, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flet

Good question, because I've been using straight normal plain walmart lemon oil for over 10 years now on my wolfgang necks with absolutely not a hint of trouble. I oil them each about once every three months and I can only say the greatest thing about it. In fact, the wolfgang manual even mentions using lemon oil to remove stains on the fretboard due to use, so go figure. Maybe there is something in the wood of the OLP?

Thanks for the fast response, Flet. I see no bad after effects on the OLP after using the lemon oil. It's very smooth and my playing got a little faster.

I dont see a problem

**CanyonCarver** · 04-20-2006, 02:09 PM

I have seen no adverse effects to using Lemon Oil in over 6 years of owning my Peavy Wolfgang.
I put some once a month and I love it. The older the guitar gets and better it feels.

wahwah · 04-20-2006, 03:49 PM

Bet if I try that my neck will fall off and peel like a grape!

Flet · 04-21-2006, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmerwoo

But does it dry the fretboard out? If so.....what should I use instead?

Hey jimmerwoo, no problem. As for your question above, I don't see how it is possible to dry something up using oil given that oil is meant to "moisten" if you will. I've never had any dry up on my due to the oil (that includes my wood furniture in the house). The only thing that dries up the wood is dry air and time

The only negative possibility of oiling a neck often is a slight coloration (yellowing). This would depend of brand type and colouring/age of oil. Of course, a natural neck will also discolour naturally to age/playing/location/sweat etc....and people who play more may oil their neck more so it's debatable how much of a difference the oil causes in the end.

I love the way a newly oiled neck really brings out the birdseye's in the maple on the wolfgang. It's like they all just pop out to stare after an oiling.

POD GOD · 04-21-2006, 06:15 AM

I've been using lemon oil on my Wolfgang maple neck ever since I bought it 5 years ago. No problems here

**jimmerwoo** · 04-21-2006, 07:22 PM

Thanks for all the comments, guys. I dunno why a well known guitar accessory brand like Dunlop would advise against Lemon Oil on Maple Fret Boards, but the conclusion is that its just fine.

Matter closed.

**CanyonCarver** · 04-21-2006, 07:54 PM

They probably advise against it, so they can sell you their own private brand Lemon Oil at ten times the price of furniture oil... Common practice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmerwoo

Thanks for all the comments, guys. I dunno why a well known guitar accessory brand like Dunlop would advise against Lemon Oil on Maple Fret Boards, but the conclusion is that its just fine.

Matter closed.

J_Alexander · 04-23-2006, 01:36 PM

heck ebmm tells you to use lemon oil on the fretboard and i have for both my ebmm's for years. i dont know about you but you dont get a better neck so i dont think it hurts it at all.

axslinger · 04-25-2006, 06:02 PM

It could be that that particular brand has some tint to it that might color the neck. I've been using just plain lemon oil on my wolfgang and the fretboards of my other guitars with no problem.

throb13 · 04-25-2006, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmerwoo

I just bought some Dunlop Fretboard 65 Ultimate Lemon Oil and was cleaning the fret board of my (maple) OLP MM1. Afterwards I read the instructions on the side (yeh I know - typical 'guy' trait)

It says..."Do not use Lemon Oil on Maple fretboards"

It cleaned it up nicely. But does it dry the fretboard out? If so.....what should I use instead?

i always thought that meant not to use lemon oil on a neck/fretboard that has a sprayed finish on it like older strats that have maple necks with nitrocellulose or polyeurethane finishes applied to the fretboard. (as opposed to rosewood fretboards which never get sprayed finishes because of the characteristic of the woodgrain. therefore it's okay to use lemon oil on them.) it's only been about the last 10 years that i've been seeing more and more guitars with maple necks that have oil finishes (probably thanks to eddie).

**jimmerwoo** · 04-26-2006, 05:16 PM

Good point, Throb...makes sense.

cubitpin · 09-29-2009, 06:41 PM

Can you give some more sample question and answers. How great your info is! It really useful for me. Thanks.

matt phillips · 09-30-2009, 01:05 AM

a friend of mine - who is a luthier - told me to only use lemon oil on my rosewood necks and that a pencil eraser is best to clean maple necks. something to do with the density of the two timbers, the maple wont absorb the oil very well.