The Question Most Guitarists Never Think to Ask
You pick up a bottle of fingerboard oil, apply it to your rosewood board, and it looks great. Job done. But what's actually in that bottle — and is it doing what you think it is?
The vast majority of fingerboard oils on the market are mineral oil-based. A smaller number use cold-pressed plant oils. The difference between the two matters more than most guitarists realise, and it's worth understanding before you put anything on your instrument.
What Is Mineral Oil?
Mineral oil is a by-product of petroleum refining. It's colourless, odourless, and extremely cheap to produce, which is why it's used in everything from baby oil to machine lubricants to guitar care products.
In the guitar world, mineral oil is often marketed as a safe, neutral conditioner for fingerboards. And in one sense, it is safe — it won't damage the wood. But 'safe' and 'beneficial' are different things.
The key issue: mineral oil is not absorbed by wood. It sits on the surface, creating a temporary sheen that looks like conditioning but doesn't penetrate the grain. Once it evaporates or is wiped away, the wood is back to where it started.
What Is Cold-Pressed Oil?
Cold-pressed oils are extracted from plant sources — seeds, nuts, fruits — using mechanical pressure rather than heat or chemical solvents. The cold-pressing process preserves the natural fatty acids, vitamins, and compounds in the oil that make it genuinely nourishing.
Unlike mineral oil, cold-pressed plant oils are absorbed by wood. They penetrate the grain, replenishing the natural oils that dry out over time due to heat, humidity changes, and the simple passage of time. This is true conditioning — working with the wood's natural structure rather than coating the surface.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Mineral Oil | Cold-Pressed Natural Oil | |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Petroleum by-product | Plant-based (seeds, nuts, fruits) |
| Absorbed by wood? | No — sits on surface | Yes — penetrates the grain |
| Nourishes wood? | No | Yes |
| Sustainable? | No | Yes (when responsibly sourced) |
| Longevity of effect | Short-term (surface only) | Longer-lasting (absorbed) |
| Cost to produce | Very low | Higher |
What About 'Lemon Oil'?
Many guitarists reach for lemon oil, believing it to be a natural product. It's worth checking the label carefully. The majority of products sold as 'lemon oil' for guitars are actually mineral oil with lemon fragrance added — the lemon scent is cosmetic, not functional.
True lemon oil (cold-pressed from lemon seed) does exist, but it's not what most guitar care products contain. If the ingredients list doesn't specify the source, assume it's mineral-based.
Does It Actually Make a Difference?
In the short term, both products will make your fingerboard look better. The difference becomes apparent over time:
- Boards conditioned with cold-pressed oils tend to stay supple longer between treatments
- The wood grain looks richer and more alive, not just shiny
- Over years of use, genuinely conditioned wood is more resistant to cracking and shrinkage
Why LORE Uses Cold-Pressed Oils
When Ryan Havinga developed the LORE range over 8 years, the choice to use cold-pressed natural oils wasn't just about sustainability — it was about efficacy. The goal was to create products that genuinely work with the wood, not just make it look good temporarily.
LORE Fingerboard Oil is made on Dartmoor using cold-pressed plant oils, with no mineral oil, no synthetic additives, and no petroleum by-products. It's part of a wider commitment to sustainable guitar care — including 14,000+ trees planted and carbon-neutral production.
"We wanted to make something we'd actually want to use on our own instruments. That meant starting with the best ingredients, not the cheapest." — Ryan Havinga, LORE founder
The Bottom Line
If you're using a standard fingerboard oil from a large guitar accessories brand, there's a good chance it's mineral-based. It won't harm your guitar, but it's not truly conditioning the wood either.
Cold-pressed natural oils cost more to produce, which is why they're less common in mass-market products. But for an instrument you care about — and plan to play for years — the difference is worth it.
Explore LORE Fingerboard Oil — cold-pressed, natural, and made in the UK.
🎸 Not sure which LORE® product is right for your finish or instrument area? View our Product Guide →