R7 before and after Fret Doctor

[Rainbowberry]

Heard a lot of good stuff about Fret Doctor in the forum and ordered a bottle. Here are my results in case anybody is interested.

Definitely worked better than other oils I’ve applied. The change wasn’t as drastic as some of the other posts I’ve seen here but I think it’s just due to my specific fretboard.

Posted a pic of my strat too since it made a bigger difference on that one!

 

[Les Paulette]

Excellent looks great. .whatever you do..dont order MagikLube from Wyres Strings. .back and forth for months and months for 2 bottles..that arrived damaged..really just thrown in an envelope with a sheet of bubblewrap on the side..not even wrapped around the squeeze tubes..best wishes

 

[Tim Plains]

How long did you leave it on for? I used to leave it on for 45 minutes, wipe off, apply again, let sit for another 45 minutes, wipe off, boards would then look black. I only did this once on each guitar to darken the board. After that, just on/off about once a year.

 

[Rainbowberry]

How long did you leave it on for? I used to leave it on for 45 minutes, wipe off, apply again, let sit for another 45 minutes, wipe off, boards would then look black. I only did this once on each guitar to darken the board. After that, just on/off about once a year.

I waited 35 minutes after my first application, then an hour for the next, then 20 minutes for the last. I don’t know where I got those numbers but seemed to work just fine haha

 

[J T]

I've been using that for years on the rosewood and ebony. Works great. I only use a few drops, rub it to get in all the dry spots, lets it sit for a few, and rub it off. The wood does not feel slimy or sticky afterwards. Fret Dr. is the best stuff out there.

Funny how there is so much mis-information on the interweb about what to do with a rosewood or ebony fretboard and people agree with it for some reason probably because they don't know any better. They use some vegetable oil that turns gummy and rancid then wonder what's wrong with their guitar.

 

[DANELECTRO]

Fret Doctor works wonders on baked maple boards

 

[Rainbowberry]

Fret Doctor works wonders on baked maple boards

This is crazy!

 

[Redfish]

I hate to disagree with everyone here but while Fret doctor does a great job of conditioning a dry board I’ve Always found the darkening affect goes away once the oil dries. The only way I found to successfully darken a fretboard Is to use Fiebings leather stain (black). I apply it carefully with a Q-tip and stay off of the inlays. Let thoroughly dry and Play it for a couple of days. Yes a little bit of black color will come off on your fingers for a couple of days. Then apply light application of Fret doctor and enjoy your dark uniform board. You would think black would make the board completely black but it just darkens it a couple of shades. This is my own technique and I’m
sure someone will have a reason why this is a bad idea. I am just amazed by the number of posts where people say Fret doctor will darken your board permanently
Or even recommend soaking the board with it repeatedly. I KNOW that’s not a good idea. I’ve only done this with Rosewood boards. Last guitar I did this on was a 2008 R8 that had a big light streak running through the board. After three applications to the light streak the board was a uniform color and stayed that way for years until I sold the guitar.YMMV

 

[latestarter]

Over applying oil to achieve a darker result misses the point, unless you want a fingerboard with the tonal profile of a damp sock.

If you must have a dark board, buy a guitar that has one.

EDIT: That/this was my 4000th post. I'm glad I could spread doing them over 12 years.

EDIT EDIT: Oh, and as opposed to others who are "well known members" with materially fewer contributions, like say 50% fewer or more, it's comforting to know I'm "active".

 

[El Gringo]

Over applying oil to achieve a darker result misses the point, unless you want a fingerboard with the tonal profile of a damp sock.

If you must have a dark board, buy a guitar that has one.

EDIT: That/this was my 4000th post. I'm glad I could spread doing them over 12 years.

EDIT EDIT: Oh, and as opposed to others who are "well known members" with materially fewer contributions, like say 50% fewer or more, it's comforting to know I'm "active".

Mega congrats on 4000 . I have found your posts to always be informative and very helpful to me over the years . Thank You Kindly and wishing you another 4000 ☀️

 

[thin sissy]

Fret doctor is great, makes the board "pop" for a while.

I would like to advice not oiling the boards too much. I personally wouldn't let any oil "soak" for any time. But on another forum I recieved lots of flak for saying that you can damage a board with too much oil. So I wont say that . But I will say that I personally had a board rot on a few fret slots due to oiling.

Used in moderation it is great though! Fantastic looking goldtop BTW!

 

[corpse]

I disagree with what is being done here with oil. If you want a different color board buy a different guitar or stain it as RF says. I condition my boards with Fretdoctor and love the product but one dime sized drop on every other fret wiped in with a clean cotton cloth annually or if a board starts to appear lighter.
Also important to clean them with some 0000 steel wool- it is amazing the splooge that comes off (gag reflex). Tape the board and hit the frets almost vigorously, then scrape the insides of the wood along the frets- then do the oil, etc. Some people suggest a polishing rouge. I did a big post on that a couple years ago with photos.

 

[El Gringo]

I disagree with what is being done here with oil. If you want a different color board buy a different guitar or stain it as RF says. I condition my boards with Fretdoctor and love the product but one dime sides drop on every other fret wiped in with a clean cotton cloth annually or if a board starts to appear lighter.
Also important to clean them with some 0000 steel wool- it is amazing the splooge that comes off (gag reflex). Tape the board and hit the frets almost vigorously, then scrape the insides of the wood along the frets- then do the oil, etc. Some people suggest a polishing rouge. I did a big post on that a couple years ago with photos.

Best Post of the day ☀️

 

[latestarter]

Woo hoo - I have become "well-known". Hopefully the check is in the mail!

I've also noticed that guitars that I play regularly simply do not need oiling. Clearly the butter, olive oil and bacon I eat finds its way out of my finger tips and onto the board, keeping it appropriately oiled.

 

[El Gringo]

Woo hoo - I have become "well-known". Hopefully the check is in the mail!

I've also noticed that guitars that I play regularly simply do not need oiling. Clearly the butter, olive oil and bacon I eat finds its way out of my finger tips and onto the board, keeping it appropriately oiled.

The Mediterranean Diet with Olive Oil would be a great way to age your Rosewood Board and with the excess oil you wipe off the board you could toss some iceberg and tomato's and Olives and you have a nice tossed salad with your Les Paul .

 

[MacFangus]

While I agree with "latestarter" that darker boards are preferred, after 43 years, I've never experienced a sonically negative result; per the application of oil on a fretboard. As a matter of fact, the outcome has always been an improvement. Even if you don't apply oil, the board is going to absorb body oil and moisture. Applying oil is speeding-up the inevitable. Custom Shop Gibson's hang for a while after finishing, plus the wood is somewhat dry, pre-production. Treating it with a single session of Fret Doctor or similar oil is (IMO) mandatory. Using too much oil can loosen the frets, but you really have to be overdoing it. I generally give the fretboard one treatment (1 x application - let sit for 45 min - second application - wipe after 15 min) and that's it. I let my hands and the environment take care of the rest. If you're living in low humidity conditions, a humidifier is your best friend. The best maintenance for any neck, is playing it.

 

[latestarter]

I'm agnostic regarding the colour of a fret board.

The "watch out" was around heavily over oiling a board.

 

[renderit]

Woo hoo - I have become "well-known". Hopefully the check is in the mail!

I've also noticed that guitars that I play regularly simply do not need oiling. Clearly the butter, olive oil and bacon I eat finds its way out of my finger tips and onto the board, keeping it appropriately oiled.

The leather jacket they send is amazing.

A real chick-magnet.

The check is in the inside left pocket.

 

[axeman565758]

Ive been using Fret Doctor for over 17 years. Simply the best. Although I agree it shouldn't be used as a darkener, with proper and careful use, it can make a dry board slightly darker.

 

[corpse]

I'm agnostic regarding the colour of a fret board.

The "watch out" was around heavily over oiling a board.

"I'm nationwide"