Hey Mike,I wipe the fretboards with mineral spirits first to get the gunk off,
and then I apply a moderate amount of this synthetic oil
http://www.lmii.com/CartTwo/thirdproducts.asp?CategoryName=Finishes&NameProdHead\
er=Fingerboard+Oil

Less is more with Ebony and you should avoid anything with wax in it, as it will
build up a coating. Never used Pledge before, but it may contain wax. I've used
several different types of oil (lemon, boiled linseed, and a few I can't
remember) but this one works the best out the ones I've tried. I use the
stronger shop towels instead of plain paper towels and work across the grain,
making sure to get right up to the frets. If you put too much oil, it will seep
out from under the frets. Do a thorough cleaning off after letting it soak in
for a few minutes, and get it all off the frets too. Then I use eyeglass cleaner
to get the excess off the side off the fingerboard binding.

You might find that you need to use steel wool before oiling, but I buff polish
the frets here at the shop, and the steel wool will dull them slightly, so I'd
try and avoid that. If you do steel wool, make sure you get rid of all the
leftover fibers, as cross rubbing the oil may leave scratches. You shouldn't
have to oil an Ebony board too often unless it's drying out a lot. The natural
oil in the wood maintains it. Some guys don't oil at all, but I like to use a
touch just to bring out the luster.

Rob


--- In ParagonGuitars@yahoogroups.com, mike fred <thevernorsguy@...> wrote:
>
>
> Tom;
>
> > And here is a link to other opinion (Ernie Ball Forum?):
> >
http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-guitars/7982-lemon-oil-neck-cleaning.h\
tml
> >
> > Good luck in your decision,
> > Tom
>
> Thanks for the info! Hopefully Rob will poke his head in here soon and give me
"smore" info. I want to start recording this weekend and want to change strings
probabaly Thursday night.
>
> MikeY
>