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Author Topic: Olive oil on the fretboard?  (Read 6559 times)

fbloke

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Olive oil on the fretboard?
« on: November 21, 2008, 08:44:45 PM »
My board looks a iittle thirsty and I want to give it a light oiling and then change the strings tomorrow morning.  Trouble is I'm all out of linseed oil and I don't have any commercial fingerboard oil either (not that I like fossil oil based lubricants on the board anyhow).

So, all I have is what's in the cooking cupboard;  olive oil, sunflower oil and rice bran oil.  Is any of this stuff safe or useful on a fretboard?  It's a Les Paul and I guess we're talking about rosewood here.
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MDV

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Re: Olive oil on the fretboard?
« Reply #1 on: November 21, 2008, 09:08:15 PM »
I have no idea, but well done for the most left-field question I've ever seen here!

Priceless, seriously!
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ailean

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Re: Olive oil on the fretboard?
« Reply #2 on: November 21, 2008, 09:18:44 PM »
I don't know for sure, but I think kitchen oils will be too thick to really soak in well, I think you'll just end up with an oily fretboard. I'd wait to replenish my usual materials. I use Lemon oil myself.
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d1dsj

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Re: Olive oil on the fretboard?
« Reply #3 on: November 21, 2008, 11:05:10 PM »
I'm  not sure... but I'd make sure if you use it that you use pure extra virgin olive oil... you'll have better tone!! :lol:
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rohlfo

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Re: Olive oil on the fretboard?
« Reply #4 on: November 22, 2008, 12:38:40 AM »
I think linseed oil works as well as the standard ones like lemon etc. I guess it's all about the oil type. I personally don't know how to differentiate between types but if what you have is similar to ones used on fret-boards, I don't see why not.... :?
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gwEm

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Re: Olive oil on the fretboard?
« Reply #5 on: November 22, 2008, 02:14:05 AM »
haven't tried it myself, but theres plenty of anecdotes on the web bigging up the use of olive oil on fretboards
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WezV

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Re: Olive oil on the fretboard?
« Reply #6 on: November 22, 2008, 09:55:04 AM »
i wouldnt. basically you will have an oily board and oily strings untill its all been soaked up or rubbed off


... and it will smell funny!
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rimsky

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Re: Olive oil on the fretboard?
« Reply #7 on: November 22, 2008, 10:24:54 AM »
lemon oil is usin for ebony fretboars(so do i).It cleans and wets it,and  makes it shine and color looks more satureted(if you know what i mean)..My tech said that rosewood is already wet kind of wood and there is no necessary to wet it.I just clean my rosewood fretboard by scrubin it with the tooth brush and vodka.Looks great,man.
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rimsky

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Re: Olive oil on the fretboard?
« Reply #8 on: November 22, 2008, 11:59:06 AM »
Ahh..also you can try some fretboard conditioner.May be bore oil or somethin..
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lamp

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Re: Olive oil on the fretboard?
« Reply #9 on: November 23, 2008, 08:09:49 PM »
I can't remember where I read this, but years ago it was mentioned somewhere plausible that olive oil was fine in case you don't have any lemon oil. 
I've done this on a few occasions with no adverse effects - not overly oily, works just fine in my eyes.
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38thBeatle

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Re: Olive oil on the fretboard?
« Reply #10 on: November 23, 2008, 10:37:23 PM »
I am not gonna say it :)
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Neil F

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Re: Olive oil on the fretboard?
« Reply #11 on: November 24, 2008, 06:14:05 PM »
Linseed oil is what is known as a "drying oil" meaning that it actually sets if exposed to the air to form a hard film (it's used in oil paints for this reason). I don't believe lemon oil does this (or olive oil either).

I guess you could argue that it might help the fingerboard to have a hard, linseed oil film set on it but I'd want to check first before using it.
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Lew

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Re: Olive oil on the fretboard?
« Reply #12 on: November 24, 2008, 06:27:30 PM »
2 stroke.
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WezV

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Re: Olive oil on the fretboard?
« Reply #13 on: November 24, 2008, 06:35:52 PM »
Quote from: Neil F on November 24, 2008, 06:14:05 PM
Linseed oil is what is known as a "drying oil" meaning that it actually sets if exposed to the air to form a hard film (it's used in oil paints for this reason). I don't believe lemon oil does this (or olive oil either).

I guess you could argue that it might help the fingerboard to have a hard, linseed oil film set on it but I'd want to check first before using it.

i think that depends if you are using 'raw' or 'boiled' linseed oil.  as far as i am aware raw oils are the non-setting ones

personally i prefer an oil that would set on the wood, because it also sets in the wood.  I will coat dry rosewood fretboards with a little danish oil and quickly buff it off.  this prevents it building up  on the wood but ensures enough soaks in and sets to provide protection and reduce the need for frequent re-oiling sessions


but then i only do this on the dryest of boards.  most get cleaned with the 0000 liberon wire wool and thats it
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