I'm doing a setup on my guitar and figured I'd clean the neck too. What do you guys recommend I use? So far I've searched and a lot of people say Fret Doctor or Jim Dunlop Ultimate lemon oil.

I was just researching this myself. I own a Taylor 114ce acoustic. According to a video on their site, whenever you change strings, clean the fretboard with a fine steel wool, then put linseed oil on it.

http://www.taylorguitars.com/see-hear/default.aspx?id=1004

I gave my guitar a good clean recently and used the Jim Dunlop Ultimate lemon oil you mentioned on my fretboard.

Very good results. Got rid of the grime :eek: and left it feeling smooth as you like. Nice!

I also read the steal wool thing, but that was more for the actual frets than the fretboard. I've also heard about the linseed oil too.

I personally use a soft cotton cloth and nothing else. Not a fan of putting chemicals on the fretboard. I mean, manufacturers use things from carnuba wax to Ken Smith etc but I guess I'm apt to think that the more 'stuff' you put on the fretboard the more affects the natural feel of the wood.

I assume I'm wrong but I just dig in with a tiny amount of elbow grease and it cleans up nice.

Well the problem I see is that over time a fretboard, or any wood for that matter, will dry out, even slightly. Maybe once or twice a year you should make it "healthy" again.

Originally Posted by: hunter1801Well the problem I see is that over time a fretboard, or any wood for that matter, will dry out, even slightly. Maybe once or twice a year you should make it "healthy" again.

Depends on climate though. If you're in a dryer (Arizona-type) climate, a couple of times a year would be a good thing. If you're in a more damp climate, the oils from your fingers that remain soaked in to the wood can be enough. I agree that untouched wood will dry out no matter what but a played guitar will pick up the finger oils (unless you have dry skin).

I guess I favor a chemical free deal because I can and I might be a little bit of a freak about getting chemicals on strings (deadening) and just overall feel. It's the reason I like rosewood and, in a way, dislike maple. Just the feel. So, I realize my opinion comes from a personal freakishness. ;)

That makes sense. Climate is a huge factor with wood. I just went down to my local guitar shop (The Guitar Shoppe in Laguna Beach, CA if anyone knows of it) and they recommended "Dr. Ducks Ax Wax and String Lube". I'll try it out on one of my guitars.

My opinion only: Folks can buy into a lot of hype. The hype is:
A) A fingerboard needs regular treatment
B) Use a "fingerboard-authorized oil"

Truth: Neither is true. A little lemon oil (regular furniture kind) once or twice a year is all you will ever need.

use a good lemon oil.
ive used it for yrs with great results.
oil from your fingers is not the same thing.
oil from your fingers can actually break down
the finish on the neck and the fret board.

So this is the first time I've changed the strings on my acoustic. I cleaned the guitar just as instructed to in the Taylor maintenance video I provided above, using steel wool and linseed oil. The guitar cleaned up very nicely and WOW!! What a difference new strings make.

The aforementioned Jim Dunlop Ultimate lemon oil I use came as a freebie (if anything is free in this world) when I took out a subscription to Total Guitar. Hype wasn't an element for me!

The kit I got was this one -
http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/guitar_care_detail.asp?stock=05111716311318
and I have to say it's a great set of all the things you need. I'd also recommend the mag, good read!

I was actually going to get that kit, but when I asked the guy working there, he recommended not using lemon oil. He said that lemon oil actually drys out the fretboard in the end. He compared it to armor-all. It makes it look nice in the beginning, but it's harmful down the road.

Don't know if this is correct or not though. Anyone share his view?

I have been using Lemon Oil for a while now, I use it every other time i change strings. I have not noticed any drying out of the fretboard. I am in a fairly damp climate though (UK)

I guess it is something i will continue to use, it works for me.

pretty much anything you add oils to will eventually look dry when you stop using it after a while.

Originally Posted by: hunter1801I was actually going to get that kit, but when I asked the guy working there, he recommended not using lemon oil. He said that lemon oil actually drys out the fretboard in the end. He compared it to armor-all. It makes it look nice in the beginning, but it's harmful down the road.

Don't know if this is correct or not though. Anyone share his view?

Let me guess.... He had an alternative product to offer? :D
Lemon oil has been used on fine woodcrafting forever. I think we'd have stopped by now if it was bad.

same thing i was thinking razbo.

I thought this looked a useful guide -

http://www.muzique.com/schem/fret.htm

He did, the Dr. Duck stuff, but he also had the lemon oil in stock. Both were the same price pretty much.

Honestly, I think any of that stuff is fine if it is in your budget. Lemon oil was the recommended choice from when I played 25 years ago, and is still the general recommendation from the guitar playing public since I started playing again (replaying?) a year ago. I'll stick with what I know I guess. :)