Rosewood neck care and feeding!!

[Goober]

Hey Guys!!

Just curious as to how y'all clean/maintain your RW neck PRSi??
I have used lemon oil on rosewood and ebony fingerboards for years.
So do you guys "treat" the back of the neck too?? Does anyone know
what PRS's "official" recommendation is for the RW necks??
Thanks for the help!!

[Jo]

At the last PRS forum event Paul recommended Lemon Pledge ;) ... seriously!

This week-end I bought a little bottle Rosewood oil (essential oil) from the health store. I put some on the fretboard of my HBII yesterday, and now the whole room smells like rosewood. Yummmmm :)

I presume as it's an essential oil and it's made directly from rosewood that it's ok to use on my IRW neck on my McCarty. Hopefully someone here can confirm that it's ok to use this stuff, before I put some on my McRosie.

[Aldwyn]

I rememebr a thread on the old Forum about this... and people were singing the praises of the rosewood oil (including Ted if I remember correctly).

So I switched from Pledge to rosewood oil, and never looked back!

I also use it on my ebony boards!

Peace,
Aldwyn

[Goober]

Hey Jo and Aldwyn!!


Thanks much for the heads up! Where did you guys acquire the rosewood
oil at?? GNC? I hate malls, but I can surely talk the Mrs. into doing my
shopping for me!! Thanks

[aleclee]

Got mine at Whole Foods though I'd expect most "granola and Birkenstock" health food stores would carry it.

[Jo]

Dana, I got mine a wholefoods store just down the road in Gambrills (Odenton), the store is next to a mom/pop type gardening/hardware store, a 5 min drive for you. It was about $6 for one of those tiny bottles, but it'll last a lifetime I'm sure.

Look at the essential oils section, rather than in the cooking oils (olive/lemon oil) section.

[Aldwyn]

Dana,

I got mine at the Crystal Fox. Pretty much any new age or health food store will have it. Not sure what you have out there in Glen "By God" Burnie, but there are several places in my neck of the woods (and in College Park as well).

Peace,
Aldwyn

[Goober]

Dana,

I got mine at the Crystal Fox. Pretty much any new age or health food store will have it. Not sure what you have out there in Glen "By God" Burnie, but there are several places in my neck of the woods (and in College Park as well).

Peace,
Aldwyn
Thanks guys!!

Aldwyn:..Crystal Fox huh??....sounds like a mission for Noelle and Stellar! :D

[Shreve]

Can order here also:

http://www.selectoils.com/essentialoils/rosewood.htm

[Supasso]

My question is, is oiling rosewood really necessary? Why?

[goof1073]

I've used the old lemon oil bottle of mine on all of my guitar's fret boards for years. I would imagine that his would also be o.k. for an entire IRW neck...no? :(

[aleclee]

I've used the old lemon oil bottle of mine on all of my guitar's fret boards for years. I would imagine that his would also be o.k. for an entire IRW neck...no? :(Depends on whether it's oil or lemon-scented lighter fluid (as is most stuff sold as "lemon oil"). The latter variety is effective for cleaning but actually dries out the wood rather than conditioning it.

[mick I]

I may try the rosewood that sounds nice. I have been using natural coconut oil which I may add gives it that lost in paradise flavor. Aloha

[jonhale]

When I got my Ro, it smelled very strongly of Linseed oil....

[irwcustom]

I used to use lemon oil, but I got told that it wasn't good for the board long term. It has a nice darkening effect to the board and feels and smells good. Though I've yet to use rosewood essentail oil - that's got to be good and obviously compatable with the wood.

Q is, do I go for the probably less expensive IRW bottle ... or fork-out for the NOS Brazillian ltd edition version? :D

[NOMAD]

About a year ago or so, I called PRS and asked Jim Cullen; he suggested that both the neck (rosewood) and fretboard (rosewood too) get a moderate amount of lemon oil twice a year. Best rubbed in with your fingers and then the excess cleaned off with a soft, clean cloth (an old t-shirt works quite well).
As to why; this keeps the neck from drying out/shrinking. Brian

[Goober]

You guys are why this forum is so cool!! Thanks to everyone for the input!

[irwcustom]

Send the Mrs out yesterday to get some Rosewood oil, but everything but so I'm told was there. I'm glad that lemon oil has kind of been given the seal of approval. They MUST / DO treat it with something before it leaves the factory. Anybody know what or asked?

[Aldwyn]

I have a factory tour coming up the first part of June... I will have to remember to ask the set up guys what is used on the necks before they ship em out.

Peace,
Aldwyn

[aleclee]

They MUST / DO treat it with something before it leaves the factory. Anybody know what or asked?Last I heard, the factory used Pledge.

[irwcustom]

I have a factory tour coming up the first part of June... I will have to remember to ask the set up guys what is used on the necks before they ship em out.

Peace,
Aldwyn
Cheers - that would be great. Hopefully, with a bit of luck and a tail wind, I might be one one too about that time (?)

[JMintzer]

Last I heard, the factory used Pledge.
This is correct. I've seen them use it. Spray it on a rag, and wipe down the neck.

Jamie

[irwcustom]

This is correct. I've seen them use it. Spray it on a rag, and wipe down the neck.

Jamie
Straight on to the bare rosewood - or superficially?

Cheers
Dj

[JMintzer]

Straight on to the bare rosewood - or superficially?

Cheers
Dj
Not sure I understand the question...

They spray some Pledge on a rag, then use said rag to wipe down the neck. Does this make sense?

Jamie

[irwcustom]

Oh sorry, didn't explain it very well ... I was implying that they might use something else on the bare rosewood before the pledge you saw. Every neck I've seen is pretty dark. I think that something else is used. Were the frets added; all hardware etc?

[Fartoomany]

Hi,

I have a IRW custom22, I'm pretty sure that they use linseed oil on the IRW necks, that what it smells like to me anyway. I suppose if its good enough for cricket bats...

[JMintzer]

Oh sorry, didn't explain it very well ... I was implying that they might use something else on the bare rosewood before the pledge you saw. Every neck I've seen is pretty dark. I think that something else is used. Were the frets added; all hardware etc?
The only neck treatment I saw was in final assembly, just before putting the guitar in it's case, they wiped down the neck with the afore mentioned Pledge sprayed rag. I've never seen them do anything else to the necks, but I can't be positive.

Like Aldwyn said, we'll specifically ask that question when we tour the factory in June.

Jamie

[tmoore]

For fretboards I've always been a fan of linseed oil. One light application seems to last forever. It's not the prettiest smelling stuff though.

RW necks rarely seemed to need anything to me. I have used an ultralite hit of linseed oil on a couple.

[raptor5618]

After reading this thread I bought some rosewood oil on ebay. Rubbed a small amount all over the neck and the head and boy were you able to smell it through the house for a few days. I only dabbed my finger over the bottle top at most I used the equivilent of 3 or 4 drops and I wipped it off after I let it sit for while. I had used some lemon oil before on a rosewood fretboard and it seemed to work just fine but I think I am hooked on the rosewood oil because it really smells pretty good.

[Jo]

After reading this thread I bought some rosewood oil on ebay. Rubbed a small amount all over the neck and the head and boy were you able to smell it through the house for a few days. I only dabbed my finger over the bottle top at most I used the equivilent of 3 or 4 drops and I wipped it off after I let it sit for while. I had used some lemon oil before on a rosewood fretboard and it seemed to work just fine but I think I am hooked on the rosewood oil because it really smells pretty good.See, I told you it was easy to have a problem with rosewood oil (http://forums.birdsandmoons.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2491).

*sniff*
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

Be very careful, the only cure is to buy more crackwood.

[jda]

One of my BRW McCartys had been "oiled" by the previous user. It's taken about 2 years for all the excess oil to seep out. Be careful of over-oiling!

The oiled one now sounds as good as my one that wasn't oiled ever (I don't think), but it sounded noticeable duller for a while. I'm nervous about oiling the necks, myself.

Playing the neck a lot definitely makes it acquire a patina or smoothness that is very nice. Maybe you could get the same thing with micromesh, I don't know.

[ikkyu2]

I have relatively sweaty, oily hands and I notice that the little booklet that came with my guitar suggests that that will seal up the unfinished neck. I may get some Pledge though, just because I like the way it smells.

The Aura Cacia rosewood oil says it comes from Brazil but is derived from Aniba rosaeodora. Brazilian rosewood is Dalbergia nigra - what gives?

[Taller]

Those considering linseed oil please note - my trusted luthier/tech recommends BOILED linseed oil!
Rosewood is a naturally oily wood, so one definately shouldn't treat the fretboard [or entire neck, if it's rosewood] often.

[WayneM]

Ron Thorn recommended Dunlop Fretboard conditioner for both the board and the neck....I have used it with success.

Wayne

[Rusmurf]

How often?

Thanks,
Reu

[WayneM]

Reu,

Once again....quoting Ron...."every time you change the clock"........twice a year.

Wayne

[Goober]

Reu,

Once again....quoting Ron...."every time you change the clock"........twice a year.

Wayne

This is SO f*#^*n cool!! I started this thread on April 29th. Here we are within a couple of weeks short of 4 months later! Thanks so much again guys!!

Wayne M: Are you comin' to Jo's job in Glen Burnie on Sunday??....and thanks for the great advice!!

Rusmurf: You too! Kensington ain't but a hop-and-a-skip from the Glen Burnie!!

[SteveK]

I use the Dunlop cleaner when I change strings. But twice a year...rosewood oil is the best. Here's where I picked mine up:http://www.selectoils.com/essentialoils/rosewood.htm

Remember, a little goes a long way!

[Greg Jones]

Just thought I'd add my comments to this very long lived thread. I would imagine rosewood or any of the mentioned oils are great for conditioning your fretboard, but what about cleaning? I have a unique talent of gunking up a rosewood board something terrible! :) I would think for me a two step process of cleaning then conditioning would be best. Probably need to clean my fretboard at every string change. What would you all recommend for this? I did get some 'Fiddlebright' but I'm sure this is 'lighter fluid' variety conditioner/cleaner and I don't want to overdue it.

[MarkU]

Greg

Take a tip from Dan Erlewine and use some good old saliva on a Q-tip to clean the crud off your fretboard.



Mark

[BoyMambo]

Can I nominate myself for a half Darwin award. I used some (4 drops) rosewood oil on clean soft rag and applied it to my BRW McCarty's neck, and I do not know how but I must have gotten some on the strings. Whatever happened with the rosewood oil and those newish strings but they were absolutely ruined, they would not hold tune, in fact I could not even get the guitar in tune. I thought, wipe them down and let them air, nope nothing. My guitar teacher could not believe the noise! I changed the strings on Monday and all is okay. So beware do not get the oil of rosewood on your strings!

[irwcustom]

Can I nominate myself for a half Darwin award. I used some (4 drops) rosewood oil on clean soft rag and applied it to my BRW McCarty's neck, and I do not know how but I must have gotten some on the strings. Whatever happened with the rosewood oil and those newish strings but they were absolutely ruined, they would not hold tune, in fact I could not even get the guitar in tune. I thought, wipe them down and let them air, nope nothing. My guitar teacher could not believe the noise! I changed the strings on Monday and all is okay. So beware do not get the oil of rosewood on your strings!

Hey ..weird! Thanks for the tip off. I was considering rosewood oil .... though i think when I get mine, I will play it for a fair bit to try to 'seal it up a bit'. hang on ..play it!!! that's a novelty! Another point to note is the fact that the official line from PRS for the IRW necks being late coming out was down to drying. Surely the oils in the wood must come into this and not just moisture :confused: I don't know if this has been changed - maybe since the starting of this thread, but PRS on the FAQ page is now recomending lemon oil.

Ps: Long live the rosewood neck care and feeding thread :dude: