Tanglewood TLSL1 LemOil Luthiers Secret Fretboard Oil and Cleaner

Keep a dry rosewood or ebony fingerboard in condition

The Tanglewood TLSL1 LemOil is a fingerboard conditioner and cleaner from the Luthiers Secret range. It is a straightforward fretboard oil for anyone whose guitar has a board made from one of the dense, dark woods. Designed and made in the United Kingdom, it comes in a 100ml spray bottle.

What it does for the wood

Hard woods dry out with regular playing, and a dry board can look dull and feel rough. LemOil puts moisture back, helps stop the wood drying and protects against cracks and wear. It also brings back the natural colour and the smooth feel under your fingers. A clean, conditioned board simply plays better, and your fretting hand will notice the difference within a minute of picking the guitar up.

Which fingerboards it suits

Use it on rosewood, ebony and pau ferro boards, and on other woods of that kind. Do not use it on maple fingerboards, which need a different kind of care. Check what your guitar has before you buy, and if you own several guitars with different boards, only treat the dark ones.

How to use it

• Give the bottle a good shake
• Remove grime with a soft cloth that leaves no fluff, or very fine wire wool for heavy build-up
• Spray once onto the cloth, not the guitar
• Massage it in. Four or five sprays usually cover a whole board

Plan to clean and condition about once every six weeks. A Safety Data Sheet is available for this product.

Pairing it with other care products

LemOil looks after the fingerboard only. For the lacquered body, the Golden Polish TLSP3 at £7 is the matching product, and the SupaClean TLSS2 at £7 is the disinfectant. Together they make a tidy set of guitar care basics that fits in a case pocket.

The TLSL1 is £6.99, with free UK delivery.