The RandyMan Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 I was reading the post about using lemon oil on fretboards and it got me wondering . . . why is it beneficial in this application (no pun intended)?? Reason I ask is that I'm in the midst of refinishing an '82 Les Paul that was originally painted. I've taken most of it down to the bare wood and, being a big fan of nice natural wood (especially 30-year old mahogany and maple), I was thinking of leaving it au natural. If I decided to leave the wood bare, would there be any drawbacks/detriments to using lemon oil on the whole body and neck? As much as it would be cool to restore it to original finish, that ain't gonna happen (I'm not quite as good as Andy R yet . . . ). Besides, it's been modded enough by a previous owner that I'm not concerned about getting it back to original anyway. But I do like the natural wood. The mahogany body has a really nice grain as does the three-piece maple top and neck. Could I use lemon oil to condition the wood without causing any ill effects over time? Is there a better oil to use on the body and neck? Opinions/feedback?? Thanks in advance . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codename Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 I don't think you should use lemon oil on the back of the neck or the body.Get the proper oil finish for guitars otherwise it might end up being greasy. I tried tung oil from the hardware store once on the back of a bare maple neck and it seemed kind of sticky. Maybe the stuff from Stew Mac is better for use on guitars.My link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S t e v e Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 if you have a guitar with a rosewood board that looks a bit dry (grey) then putting some lemon oil on will make it look fantastic, imo it don't affect tone but the neck will look darker...and i just got bored Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MojoRedFoot Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 if you have a guitar with a rosewood board that looks a bit dry (grey) then putting some lemon oil on will make it look fantastic, imo it don't affect tone but the neck will look darker...and i just got bored go polish your fretboards Then poor some vodka in your head. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The RandyMan Posted February 19, 2011 Author Share Posted February 19, 2011 if you have a guitar with a rosewood board that looks a bit dry (grey) then putting some lemon oil on will make it look fantastic, imo it don't affect tone but the neck will look darker... Along with making it look nicer, I thought I read or heard somewhere that it conditions the fretboard wood so that it won't dry out over time and split. But that's all I've heard or read. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Versatile Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 For those not au fait with Lemon Oil It consists of mostly Linseed Oil Other options Wax polish French Polish (shellac) Teak Oil V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S t e v e Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 Along with making it look nicer, I thought I read or heard somewhere that it conditions the fretboard wood so that it won't dry out over time and split. But that's all I've heard or read. yes, if only the guitar shops we buy from thought about this... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hlarry14 Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 I was reading the post about using lemon oil on fretboards and it got me wondering . . . why is it beneficial in this application (no pun intended)?? Reason I ask is that I'm in the midst of refinishing an '82 Les Paul that was originally painted. I've taken most of it down to the bare wood and, being a big fan of nice natural wood (especially 30-year old mahogany and maple), I was thinking of leaving it au natural. If I decided to leave the wood bare, would there be any drawbacks/detriments to using lemon oil on the whole body and neck? As much as it would be cool to restore it to original finish, that ain't gonna happen (I'm not quite as good as Andy R yet . . . ). Besides, it's been modded enough by a previous owner that I'm not concerned about getting it back to original anyway. But I do like the natural wood. The mahogany body has a really nice grain as does the three-piece maple top and neck. Could I use lemon oil to condition the wood without causing any ill effects over time? Is there a better oil to use on the body and neck? Opinions/feedback?? Thanks in advance . . . A natural finish can look really nice, but I think it takes a bit more than lemon oil. I have a Rickenbacker 650D that I think looks great - according to Rickenbacker, it has a "hand rubbed oil finish." I'd love to see a Les Paul don with this type of finish. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfpup Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 I was thinking of leaving it au natural. If I decided to leave the wood bare, would there be any drawbacks/detriments to using lemon oil on the whole body and neck? I'd go with tung oil in that case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The RandyMan Posted February 20, 2011 Author Share Posted February 20, 2011 I'll give the tung oil a shot. Thanks for the input, all. Hlarrry, that is one sweet lookin' Ric! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badbluesplayer Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 Tung oil will work well for the guitar body. Not too stinky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S t e v e Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 go polish your fretboards Then poor some vodka in your head. fingerboards polished, vodka is going down nicely thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.