Oiling an Ebony board?

[goosepoop]

I've had my 8 for about 6 months now and as I look to put a new set of strings, I was wondering if it necessary to oil it now? I've read mixed opinions if there was value in it and I was wondering what the consensus is.

Should I oil? How do I do it?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Thrashmanzac]

if you have access to a buffer i would just buff the ebony to a nice shine. i do this after fretwork, so you get a mirror shine on the ebony and frets

 

[erotophonophilia]

I condition mine with bore oil, every few months. I put a couple of drops on a q-tip, and apply it evenly on the fretboard. I let it soak into the fretboard, maybe an hour or so. After the bore oil sets in, I use paper towels to rub off the excess oil, that didn't sink in. Finally, I spray Gibson's Pump Polish onto a microfiber towel to clean up any oil I missed.

 

[TRENCHLORD]

Every once in a while is fine with ebony.
Just depends on how often it's played and what environment it's subjected to, or if it's cased most of the time.

 

[Casper777]

Once a year, just put a little lemon oil and wipe the excess oil with a soft towel... should be fine then

 

[wannabguitarist]

I do it every time I change strings

 

[nedheftyfunk]

I've used this

Dunlop Manufacturing :: Accessories :: :: Fingerboard 02 Deep Conditioner

every time I change strings on an ebony or rosewood 'board for years. It makes a world of difference to dry 'boards, limiting the likelihood of cracks, making them lustrous and beautiful. Best of all, it can't do any damage: just keep applying it until it stops being absorbed and then wipe the excess off. A bottle lasts a long, long time too.

I use this first, to remove grime, before applying the conditioner

http://www.jimdunlop.com/product/fingerboard-01-cleaner--prep

 

[Go To Bed Jessica]

I use Fret Doctor - it's awesome.

I used the Dunlop stuff for a few years before I found it, and the FD produces a nicer finish and seems to keep the 'boards looking good for longer.

http://www.beafifer.com/boredoctor.htm

 

[steffgang]

I use lemon oil to clean and keep in shape my necks on every strings change. I haven't notice this to cause any deterioration or so..

 

[Go To Bed Jessica]

Note that most "lemon oil" is actually just crappy mineral oil with a lemon scent added to it and not actually lemon oil at all.

 

[Danukenator]

I also use lemon oil about every 2-3 months. Keeps the board looking nice and, with the extreme changes in humidity we have here in New England, gives me peace of mind about cracking. I use a silicone free version and haven't experienced any of the ill effects after using it for years on multiple guitars.

 

[Andromalia]

Note that most "lemon oil" is actually just crappy mineral oil with a lemon scent added to it and not actually lemon oil at all.

That's a good thing, because we're actually not trying to make a salad