Richard R Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 Hi all, I noticed a couple of weeks ago that the fretboard on my bass seemed dry, and a perhaps little rougher than I remember it. Not driftwood dry, but probably in need of TLC. I have never oiled it, but when I have cleaned the bass and strings I have usually wiped it over with one of those white microfibre sponges, and sometimes used a light guitar polish on it. Should I be oiling it, and if so what is a recommended oil? The fretboard is made of "Indian Rosewood", whatever that may be. Many thanks as always, Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muppet Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 Oil won't do it any harm - a small dose of mineral oil will help and restore the look of dry wood. It won't do much for the roughness though. I use this bore oil, designed for woodwind instruments.. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alisyn-Conditioner-Woodwind-Protect-Condition/dp/B007PDSK84 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bloke_zero Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 Lemon oil smells good and seems to work well! D'addario make some. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggaebass Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 Hi Rich, there’s a few things in this thread that might be of interest to you 🙂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard R Posted June 16, 2020 Author Share Posted June 16, 2020 Ah! I knew there would be something already on BC, but hadn't found it. Despite having posted in that thread. Thanks 👍 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris7273 Posted June 17, 2020 Share Posted June 17, 2020 Ikea oil https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/skydd-wood-treatment-oil-indoor-use-00046786/ this is just a mineral oil. I use it for the rosewood fretboards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard R Posted June 17, 2020 Author Share Posted June 17, 2020 6 hours ago, chris7273 said: Ikea oil https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/skydd-wood-treatment-oil-indoor-use-00046786/ this is just a mineral oil. I use it for the rosewood fretboards. Skydd!! Great name for an oil!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris7273 Posted June 17, 2020 Share Posted June 17, 2020 Indeed 😀 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete.young Posted June 17, 2020 Share Posted June 17, 2020 As long as it doesn't leave any marks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maude Posted June 17, 2020 Share Posted June 17, 2020 (edited) Parker and Bailey lemon oil. TK Maxx had for six or seven quid a while ago but the cheapest I can find now is here. https://www.btnmusic.co.uk/product/parker-bailey-guitar-lemon-oil/?gclid=CjwKCAjw_qb3BRAVEiwAvwq6VjpOCysZObYACkU6GXyD3Gn7GQhXFxsIAzUQozO9-sfYf3fP7akJCxoCfDoQAvD_BwE It's a big bottle and you'll likely never need to buy another. Edit : just noticed that it's out of stock and there's delivery on top, but have a look on ebay or amazon for it. Edited June 17, 2020 by Maude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted June 17, 2020 Share Posted June 17, 2020 I’m still using the Dunlop bottle (see ped’s post) that I bought in New York in 2007 @Maude mind you, I really hate rosewood ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy515 Posted June 18, 2020 Share Posted June 18, 2020 I use teak oil, meant to be used on outside garden furniture but is great for r/w fingerboards too. Leaves them really dark and sleek and smelling lovely. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggaebass Posted June 18, 2020 Share Posted June 18, 2020 1 hour ago, Paddy515 said: I use teak oil, meant to be used on outside garden furniture but is great for r/w fingerboards too. Leaves them really dark and sleek and smelling lovely. Which one do you use paddy, I like a dark board, does it soak in ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted June 18, 2020 Share Posted June 18, 2020 Nobody else using Castrol 10/40W then? OK, it's just me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BreadBin Posted June 18, 2020 Share Posted June 18, 2020 12 minutes ago, Happy Jack said: Nobody else using Castrol 10/40W then? OK, it's just me. No, it's no good for metal. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy515 Posted June 18, 2020 Share Posted June 18, 2020 4 hours ago, Reggaebass said: Which one do you use paddy, I like a dark board, does it soak in ok Ronseal but I imagine all quality brands are very similar as its colourless.Use sparingly, wipe excess away after 10 mins and leave overnight. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard R Posted June 18, 2020 Author Share Posted June 18, 2020 So far my deduction from this thread is "pretty much any light mineral oil that isn't too astringant will be better than nothing". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maude Posted June 18, 2020 Share Posted June 18, 2020 I rub Lurpak into the fretboards of my basses. They play like butter. 🙄 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard R Posted June 22, 2020 Author Share Posted June 22, 2020 I went with the F-one fretboard conditioner, which should arrive in the next couple of days. Will report back. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard R Posted September 30, 2020 Author Share Posted September 30, 2020 Having been alerted by @Petey's reaction, I realised I had not reported back. Tut, tut. Well the short answer is that the fretboard looks better and feels nicer. My son used it on his bass and said the same thing, so we're both happy. One drop in each space between frets, gently rubbed in with a paper towel. One bottle will probably outlast me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonse Posted September 30, 2020 Share Posted September 30, 2020 42 minutes ago, Richard R said: Having been alerted by @Petey's reaction, I realised I had not reported back. Tut, tut. Well the short answer is that the fretboard looks better and feels nicer. My son used it on his bass and said the same thing, so we're both happy. One drop in each space between frets, gently rubbed in with a paper towel. One bottle will probably outlast me. Yes, somebody gifted me one of those Dunlop system 65 kits about 8 years ago. I'm about half way down the guitar polish but the other bottles are mostly untouched. A little really goes a long way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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