question about my sterling's neck

[fidooda]

Hi All, i've been reading this forum for a couple of weeks, it's seem to be a cool place to hang out.

I recently bought a 1999 sterling natural/rosewood. I love that bass.

The bass has seen some abuse , there are some battle scars (cracks in the body finish) but it plays beautifully, especially since i took the time to setup it properly (new strings, trussrod and intonation).

Here's my "little" problem (and i do mean little). I followed the recommendation to clean the neck with lemon oil. I did it a couple of times already (neck only and not the fretboard yet). From the 12th fret to the 22nd (or where to body starts) the neck feels like new but I can feel there's a difference (very small) in the feel of the neck from the nut to the 12th fret. It seems to me that the neck is a bit "greasy" and doesn't feel totally clean. The difference is subtle but it just doesn't feel like an unfinished neck (my wife can't feel this difference, as i asked her to check it out).

As i said earlier i know it's not a problem but would really like to have that comptely unfinished feel from the neck.

What should i do next: gunstock oil? sandpaper? a couple more doses of lemon oil? suggestions?

thanks!

 

[kakobass]

Did you do the 0000 steel wool? Or very fine sandpaper?

I think you could do that first, to clean it up good first and remove any excess oil you might have, and then apply a very small amount of oil again, very evenly.

For what you describe, you could have put too much oil in it and the wood wasn't prepped right, so it absorbed it differently in different sections.

 

[Psycho Ward]

I've only heard of using lemon oil on just the fretboard, not the whole neck. Do a search, there is a lot of info on neck care.

Welcome to the Sterling club!

 

[fidooda]

thanks for the quick replies!

I actually followed the intructions in the FAQ. I guess i should have cleaned up the neck before putting the lemon oil. I will get the steel wool or sandpaper to clean it up better.

I want to add that i'm thrilled to be part of the sterling club. This bass is awesome. It seems to me that a lot of toughts went into it's creation cause all the little details are just done right.

thanks again.

 

[nashman]

thanks for the quick replies!

I actually followed the intructions in the FAQ. I guess i should have cleaned up the neck before putting the lemon oil. I will get the steel wool or sandpaper to clean it up better.

I want to add that i'm thrilled to be part of the sterling club. This bass is awesome. It seems to me that a lot of toughts went into it's creation cause all the little details are just done right.

thanks again.

My understanding is ....

1. Use 0000 steel wool or extremely fine sandpaper if the neck is really dirty.
2. Use lemon oil to clean the neck. Lemon oil may also be used to condition a rosewood fretboard, but not a maple fret board.
3. Use (Birchwood-Casey) gunstock oil and wax to finish the neck.

 

[fidooda]

My understanding is ....

1. Use 0000 steel wool or extremely fine sandpaper if the neck is really dirty.
2. Use lemon oil to clean the neck. Lemon oil may also be used to condition a rosewood fretboard, but not a maple fret board.
3. Use (Birchwood-Casey) gunstock oil and wax to finish the neck.

understood!

I'm stopping at the hardware store for steel wool/sandpaper. I think it will remove the extra gunk. Once cleared of the dirt i will add some lemon oil and gunstock oil.

is gunstock oil the same as gun oil?

 

[nashman]

Yes it is ... do the oil and then the wax to finish it off. I bought Birchwood-Casey "TRU-OIL" Gun Stock Finish and Gun Stock wax at a local gun shop.

 

[russinator]

...is gunstock oil the same as gun oil?...

...yes it is...

Well, no. Gun oil is for the metal parts of a gun. GunsTock oil is for the wood parts.

 

[fidooda]

Well, no. Gun oil is for the metal parts of a gun. Gunsock oil is for the wood parts.

good point. The store i at was last weekend had gun oil (identified as an oil for wood). That's why i asked.

There aren't that many gun stores around here. I found it at a local sports & goods store that also have a small guns sections.

 

[nashman]

Is there a Bass Pro Shop near you/in the Montreal area? (Bass as in the fish!). You could also contact Birchwood-Casey ... they s/b able to tell you where you can get their products near you. Both the Tru-oil and wax are available in 3 oz bottles ... likely all you need for several years.

 

[maddog]

Is there a Bass Pro Shop near you/in the Montreal area?

The lucky souls that made it to Jack's Bash got to find out where Bass Pro Drive is.

 

[Rano Bass]

Instead of gunstock oil, you can use boiled linseed oil.
BTW lemon oil is not the same as gunstock/ linseed oil, lemon oil is for cleaning and gunstock/ linseed oil is for conditioning or "feeding" the wood.