Fretboard Conditioning

[Bluenose]

Originally Posted by Tim McKnight

Have you ever felt frets that are protruding beyond the edges of your fingerboard? Contrary to opinions the frets are not swelling and growing in length but rather the wood they are seated into is shrinking due to moisture loss. Ever have a fret end pop loose and requires a trip to your local tech to repair it? Again, this is caused by the fretboard wood shrinking due to moisture loss. Ever had a bridge, especially on a vintage guitar, show a ring of bare wood around it? Or had a bridge crack and split? If you don't mind those aforementioned inconveniences then continue on with not caring for the unprotected bare wood surfaces.
I!

Are you saying that the metal frets on my guitar do not expand and grow with moisture.? Wow I had no idea. Yes I'm being sarcastic.

[Charlie Bernstein]

Many years ago, a very good player explained to me that removing dead skin, oil, and sundry crud from the fretboard is bad luck. So I don't.

Haven't had a problem yet!

[Godfather]

Originally Posted by Pickcity

Where to order? I’m not seeing it anywhere.

I went to their website, then contact, and sent an email asking how to buy it. They were quick to reply with all necessary info.

[Charlie Bernstein]

Originally Posted by Tim McKnight

. . . Most modern finishes do an exemplary job of protecting the outer surfaces from contaminates. In all reality those shiny finishes require little more than a slightly water dampened rag wipe down followed by a soft cotton cloth.

Not my experience! Nothing cleans up the top of my '76 Guild. I've tried blasting.

Originally Posted by Tim McKnight

. . . Have you ever felt frets that are protruding beyond the edges of your fingerboard?

Only on one guitar. I sold it to someone who didn't care.

Originally Posted by Tim McKnight

Contrary to opinions the frets are not swelling and growing in length but rather the wood they are seated into is shrinking due to moisture loss.

You'll find flat-earthers everywhere.

Originally Posted by Tim McKnight

Ever have a fret end pop loose and requires a trip to your local tech to repair it? Again, this is caused by the fretboard wood shrinking due to moisture loss. . . .

Now you tell me! (I probably would've sold it anyway.)

Originally Posted by Tim McKnight

Some have mentioned using "Lemon Oil" to treat their fingerboards. This will temporarily add [petroleum distillates] into the wood. I too fell into this trap many years ago. It temporarily makes the wood surfaces look nice and shiny but its only short lived. I would caution you that you may be doing more harm than good with the lemon oil products though. Petroleum distillates will clean the wood but they do so by pulling natural oils out of the wood in the same way that putting Naphtha on your bare skin as it will dry your skin out by pulling natural oils and moisture from your skin. Petroleum distillates rapidly evaporate and you are left with a dryer wood surface than the one you started with. . . .

Good to know. Your fretboard juice sounds like a great idea. Thanks, Tim!

[JayBee1404]

Originally Posted by Pickcity

Where to order? I’m not seeing it anywhere.

It’s by far the best product I’ve ever used on my FBs and bridges, one treatment has lasted two years and my guitars are showing no sign of needing more. I believe you have to order it direct from Tim McKnight Guitars…

https://mcknightguitars.com/contact-us/

Or I guess you could PM Tim direct via the forum Messaging service

[Silly Moustache]

Not knocking any other suggestions here (part from lemon oil - eugh) but for many years now, I've cleaned and polished my guitars at every string change, with this stuff :

Most guitars get this treatment every three/four months ... but now I'm using XS strings ... ? maybe every 5-6 ... years ?

[Tim McKnight]

Originally Posted by TheGITM

How does one buy this product? I clicked the link that took me over to the other thread, but is there a link somewhere that will take me to an order screen of some sort?

Originally Posted by Pickcity

Where to order? I’m not seeing it anywhere.

We don’t have a link on our website to purchase it, but I probably should. You can PM or send an email and it can be ordered direct. We can accept PayPal or money order, which ever is more convenient? I usually ship it the following business day.

[Godfather]

Originally Posted by Tim McKnight

We don’t have a link on our website to purchase it, but I probably should. You can PM or send an email and it can be ordered direct. We can accept PayPal or money order, which ever is more convenient? I usually ship it the following business day.

Very quick response. I received mine in two days. YMMV

[Moldstar]

Originally Posted by fazool

what data or information brought you to this realization?

I'm genuinely curious - not in the premise but in the foundational source of it

I was going to ask the same thing, show me your data and proof, why are you correct, and every luthier and guitar repair person I know says differently?

[TomB'sox]

I also use the McKnight product and find that it works great. I used it on my neglected 45 year old Yamaha that was dried out and pathetic and it made it look brand new!

[rllink]

The problem with quoting experts is that there are a lot of experts out there to support pretty much anything you want them to support.

[Bowie]

Originally Posted by Moldstar

I was going to ask the same thing, show me your data and proof, why are you correct, and every luthier and guitar repair person I know says differently?

That's not how it works. The burden of proof is to show why you DO need something. I understand the guy is selling a product and I don't want to attack him or his product. I think there is a valid (cosmetic) reason for using it so I have no problem with the product. Sounds like a great item for those who want to give their boards and bridges a darker look. But, the idea that a fretboard needs nourishment has never been proven to me and I can think of a number of well-respected luthiers (see my Frank Ford quote) who feel they don't need treatment.

If you want to tell me I need to oil my fret boards, when I've owned dozens of guitars over the years that went untreated and none suffered, then you are the one that needs to show some "data and proof" that I did some harm that somehow never manifested. If it's needed then certainly all makers who offer a lifetime warranty must require it, right?

[MBee]

I have to agree with the positive reviews on McKnight's fretboard revival. I've been using it with every string change (typically 2-3 times a year), for about three years. It's a fantastic product -- easy to use, long-lasting, no weird smell or residue, and makes the bridge and fretboard look fantastic. Highly recommended.

[Jaxon]

greasy fingers

[Pickcity]

Originally Posted by Tim McKnight

We don’t have a link on our website to purchase it, but I probably should. You can PM or send an email and it can be ordered direct. We can accept PayPal or money order, which ever is more convenient? I usually ship it the following business day.

Thanks. Sending a PM…

Yes, you probably should have a direct link on your website. I would have already ordered it!