BLACKWOOD TEK FRETBOARDS

[Michael Messer]

This subject now has its own thread, rather than being tagged on a thread about Republic guitars fretboards.

Here is an email I have just received from Luxi Zhang at Blackwood Tek....

Hi Michael,

Yes, you can use lemon oil which same with other solid wood fretboard.

Blackwood Tek is solid wood. We take plantation grown softwoods, the World already has enough of it, subject it to chemical modification and arrive at unlimited supply of high quality hardwood that is: strong, hard, durable, attractive and suitable for huge range of end uses.

We have focused on providing a safe substitute for components of musical instruments; Ebony and Rosewood. Blackwood tonewood materials are ready to use, dried to under 5% moisture content, predictable, dimensionally extremely stable，its density predetermined to suit a particular purpose. All materials are 100% guaranteed, against all defects.

The process itself is fully FSC sustainable, with feel of real wood, using chemicals of organic origin. It's a solid wood modification, not sliced or shredded, it's an international invention patent. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Kind regards

Luxi Zhang



FOOTNOTE:
What is FSC sustainability?
According to the official Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) website, an FSC certification “ensures that products come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits.” The FSC, founded in 1993, is an independent nonprofit dedicated to protecting forests.

Shine On
Michael

[Michael Messer]

Further to the post above....

I am still in two minds as to whether there is any point in using oil of any type on this wood. Surely there can be no need to nourish a wood that has been chemically treated and compressed to become what it is. I can understand wanting to clean it and get all the gunk of it, but that can be done with fine wire wool and/or a sharp razor or Stanley-type blade. There is no need to use oil for cleaning, it is only used for nourishing and beautifying the wood.

On the subject of nourishing and beautifying the wood, there is more than one school of thought on this subject. For example, my two dear friends and master luthiers, Dave King and Mike Lewis, have opposing opinions on such things. Dave says that oiling a fretboard, maybe once a year, is a good thing to do, whereas Mike says it is not necessary and does not recommend doing it.

As both are my friends I am stuck between a rock and a hard place, so I very occasionally do use a little lemon oil on my guitars. I am talking about maybe five years or so. I can't actually remember the last time I did one of my fretboards, but I do occasionally. I do occasionally oil the birds eye maple neck of my Dave King Telecaster because it is not lacquered, it was finished as an oiled neck which I love. I do oil it every couple of years and it does, or feels to me like it does some good. I rarely oil its fretboard.

I used to oil the rosewood fretboards on MM Guitars because they looked a bit dry and it brought out the colour, so I always oiled them before shipping to my customers.

The lemon oil I use is called Chestnut lemon oil (see attached photo) and is specifically made for woodworking so it doesn't leave a tacky feel. I would not recommend using it on your salad!

So back to my original point - for Blackwood Tek and other similar types of fretboards, I don't see the point in using any type of oil.

Shine On
Michael

[leeophonic]

I too use the lemon oil and as part of a string change and TLC will use also on acoustic bridges as gives them a nice lustre, unfortunately the wife discovered the product and has used it un sparingly on a dining table and other items of wood furniture so next time I am out and about at Axminster power tools will pick another tin up. I did mention that TK Max had some in a few months ago, slightly different branding but have also used to good effect.

Regards

Lee