This is the last time I've used LEMON OIL on a guitar

[PB+J]

Hi PB&J,

In my opinion, players make an awful mess wiping things on their FB's. Trying to remove frets while scraping off the staggering crud on an FB is a remarkable experience, and a testament to the amazing immune system.

A curing finish forming fillets on each side of the frets, capturing dead skin, and the other emerging life forms often all over FBs, and doing absolutely nothing of value is what drives my opinion.

But so long as one is happy and ready to pay your luthier to deal with the mess, wipe on anything you like.

In my oft-off-center opinion.

Chris

I agree, I can't see any real reason to put any oil on the fingerboard. I've had the same double bass with Ebony board for 14 years now, and have never put anything on the fingerboard. I never put anything on the fretboard of any guitar. If you must, it seems to me a very thin layer of something that cures is better than something that stays soft and gets gummy. Put it on, wipe almost all of it off. A couple microns of boiled linseed oil is not going to be a big problem in a refret. It's never been a problem in any refret I've done (3) but I don't refret for a living

[vinlander]

I suspect in Gorgomyte there is also coconut oil or some other oil other than just lemon oil as the smell is very distinct and not like the typical lemon oil.
A small cut out piece of it is enough to clean and condition a whole fret board, prevent from the tendency to saturate a board with too much "solvent"...

[Thumpalumpacus]

The lemon scent in lemon oil is just that: the scent. That's all it is. The "oil" part of the equation is mineral, not vegetable, oil. I don't know if Gorgomyte has coconut scent or coconut oil in it.

[Matt Cushman]

I use ebony for accessories I make like bridges, tailpieces, fingerests and fingerboards. We all like a nice polish on naked ebony! The final step for me when polishing ebony is fine crocus cloth. I don't know why but it seems to polish faster than any other abrasive, and I have tried a wide variety of products.

[jazzbow]

lol, Gorgomyte is a cloth impregnated with ... wait for it ... lemon oil.

Or is that snake oil?

Most of those special fretboard cleaners have one thing in common: mineral oil. Lemon oil without the citrusy scent. Stuff that costs six bucks for 2 oz at a music store costs six bucks for 16 oz at Ace Hardware.

Ha, lols.

It did used to smell of coconut and it has changed consistency in the last few years.

There is an abrasive quality to it as I have noticed swirl marks on plastics, the same abrasive quality that polishes frets at the same time as cleaning fingerboards

Yes, consession is it contains an amount of mineral oil but the directions does state polish on and polish off, not leave on over night and polish off.

Gorgomyte is also great for polishing fingernails.

Lol

[999369]

Scott's Liquid Gold


Pourable Wood Care
14 oz

$6.75

Scott's Liquid Gold for Wood - real wood care for 65+ years. Balances moisture to enhance the natural beauty, texture, and grain of real wood.

- Visibly hydrates and deeply nourishes wood
- Cleans and dusts
- Contains natural oils for a natural shine
- Natural shine
- Fresh almond scent
- No wax, silicone, nuts or nut by-products

- 14 oz. pourable
- Item # 100180

[jazzbow]

Ha, lols.

Gorgomyte is also great for polishing fingernails.

Lol

Proof!

[Matt Cushman]

Have you tried these Matt?

4x3 Sanding & Polishing Pads in 9 Colors/Grits for Pen Turners and Crafts Making | eBay

Yes, I have tried those Chris. They work well for many tasks. For polishing ebony, the crocus cloth is unmatched in my experience.

[OldGuitarPlayer]

The only thing I have used to clean a fingerboard is a little luke warm water and a small rag. I add a little water to the rag (not soaking wet ) and wipe the fingerboard a couple of times. Water doesn't hurt and it comes from the tap in the kitchen for free!

[mje]

Most of what is sold as lemon oil is not lemon oil- it's lemon scented mineral oil. Typically sold to trusting furniture owners to "replenish" the wood. It just leaves a shiny film on top.

Real lemon oil is a powerful solvent that makes a good biodegradable cleaner. Use a tiny amount on a cloth to clean cruddy fingerboards if a dry or water-dampened cloth doesn't do the trick.