Improving sound, ruining sound and or structure?

[hungry mountain boy]

I have a cheap mandolin, that I keep at work to pick on occasionally. #Its a very old supertone, that to me is not worth much. #I put oil all over the wood and in the sound hole and moved the mandolin around to coat the inside and then soak in for about three days. #It did not really affect the tone to my ears but made the mandolin more heavy. #I am just curious and would never do this to even a $200.00 dollar mandolin, but wonder what people know about the effects of this and the long term effects good bad or indifferent. #I know it is somewhat foolish, but the mandolin was very disposable to me and I was just experiementing. #

[Chris Baird]

Exeriments with cheap instruments is fun. In the end when it is no longer playable I like to have a friend through it high in the air whilst I try to shoot it with a shot gun.

"Heaven and earth are not sentimental;
they regard all things as dispensable.
The Sage isn't sentimental, either;
He views all forms as ephemeral and transitional."

Lao Tzu

[8ch(pl)]

I ran my El Degas through a bandsaw.

[arbarnhart]

I ran my El Degas through a bandsaw.

Did that improve the sound?


On the original question, I have never had oil cause strucural damage to wood. Despite what many vendors would like you believe, nothing penetrates all that well (though a mando top is thin). I can understand how it might dampen vibration ever so slightly.

[John Bertotti]

What kind of oil, and what made you decide to try this as an experiment? I have no proof but would think the tone would have become muffled a bit. I think mainly from the added mass. I also wouldn't let it sit on anything you wouldn't want stained, there could be some bleed out. John

[hungry mountain boy]

I used olive oil, for no real reason except it was available. #I did it because, I had the notion it might improve the sound, because I've heard a humidified instrument sounds better than one that is not and thought it might be the same type of thing. #It was also an old mandolin that was maybe dried out, or at least I thought that, and I imagined it possible that the oil would replinish it. Mainly I was bored and a bit restless, wanted something magical to happen I guess. Glenn Hurley

[arbarnhart]

Hmmm...

That could go rancid. If so, it might play punk pretty good ...

[mandroid]

tung oil may water-resistant treat your campfire mandolin, certainly would help it burn faster and hotter.

[250sc]

Your mando will smell like a salad until the oil turns rancid. Interesting 'science' experiment but it isn't going to help your mando sound better.

[arbarnhart]

I guess you could always keep it in the fridge when you aren't playing it, though chording with numb fingers might be difficult. I almost hate to suggest this, but if you are going to try to rectify the situation you will either need a solvent or preservative. If you gave it to me, I would try deck sealer (like Thompson's) before I threw it out (though I must admit there is a good chance it would get thrown out.

[Dando]

i would be afraid the oil will ruin my clothing while playing. and when it starts to smell, your hands and clothing are gonna reek!!!!!!!!!!

[Austin Clark]

Nah, you don't want to put it in the fridge, olive oil gets foggy and sets when you chill it. That would destroy the clarity of your finish!
I suppose you could pour some vinegar and herbs in through the sound holes and shake to make dressing!

...or...

Cut the top off and use it as a well 'seasoned' campfire skillet!

[hungry mountain boy]

Well its a good thing I don't play it much. It will be interesting to see if it turns rancid. I don't plan to rectify it. I might bake it though.

[Nolan]

If you keep that mandolin it could be used as a training tool to stop people from smelling F holes.

[Yonkle]

Smelling "F" Holes?? Only thing worse is "smelling bicycle seats!"

[Michael Lewis]

Not that this instrument will ever be repaired, but putting oil in it just about precludes any glue from adhering to the wood.

[hungry mountain boy]

I'm still waiting for it to turn rancid? It has not yet. Maybe I could learn "I'm popeye the sailor man" tune, since I put "olive oil" on it.