Question EBMM gunstock wax treatment and majesty inquiry

[Chad Gladstone]

I have acquired quite a few EBMM guitars, recently. I also purchased a new (2009) PRS 25th ann. 305. I have always wanted a PRS, but the scale length felt too short. The 25th ann. 305 was a commercial bust, but for me, I loved its SSS "fender quack" and the scale length, but still hated the "non naked" neck. To remedy this, I meticulously sanded it back to bare wood and treated it with the EBMM endorsed gunstock wax/oil and it now feels and looks perfect, (just like all my other EBMM guitars). The EBMM trademark neck is the best feeling, best playing neck, IMHO.

Well...the other day, while pursuing GC, I saw a new majesty with what appeared to be a painted neck, of all things.

Is this true, or did my eyes deceive me?

I am loving my many EBMM guitars. I will never endure the arduous process of sanding and treating another neck, no matter how much I otherwise would like it. I hope it was a mistake or a one off and not a trend.

 

[jzeijen]

Lots of EBMM JP's have a painted neck. Because it's Petrucci's preference. The Armada has a painted neck also, probably because it's a mahogany neck. Then there is the black sugar/roasted maple run, which I love, even with the glossy neck. And if I remember correctly, there's even a limited run of AL's with a finished neck.

So, no anomaly or mistake

But there is more than enough choice for everyone.

 

[Lanky]

I am in a comparable situation. I own a few PRSs and kinda liked them - until I bought my first EBMM with unfinished neck. Now I feel like I can no longer play a PRS - the neck instantly feels sticky, greasy and slippery (also due to my sweaty hands of course). I also feel like liking the EBMM's longer scale but narrower fretboard better than the PRS's dimensions, but this might be a matter of getting used to only.
Sanding a PRS neck to me was never an option, as this would dramatically devalue the guitar - besides feeling like being too clumsy for such a task.
In my early EBMM days, when I only had one and wasn't sure about whether or not I would like the neck shapes, I asked PRS customer support if they would offer guitars with unfinished necks, and they replied that their Brent Mason model and the Floyd Custom 24 use unfinished maple necks.
But then I fell in love with the unfinished EBMM necks, and build quality and sounds of EBMM guitars do not at all fall short of the PRS's, and so I think that my PRS inventory will decrease and EBMM will grow.

 

[Warg Master]

Yep, painted neck on the majesty. It's a matte finish. But I think it feels GREAT. I love the painted Petrucci neck. They don't seem as stick as some and, honestly, keep them clean, and any painted neck can feel good.

 

[uOpt]

Stingray classics have clear gloss painted necks. Bongos have ugly painted necks.

I have to say that I generally prefer the oil/wax treatment only on necks with rosewood (or ebony) fretboard. Wax/oil on an all-maple neck doesn't quite feel the way it should to me. The maintenance for oil+wax on the maple fretboard is also more annoying than on the back of the neck.

 

[KEOKI]

The Majesty, and other J p painted necks are very comfortable and fast. The only time I have a ever had a problem with the sticky thing is when they served free fried chicken before the gig.

 

[Rockguitarzan]

I never noticed if the neck was painted or unpainted. I just noticed how fast it is and how much damn fun it is to use

 

[Chad Gladstone]

Stingray classics have clear gloss painted necks. Bongos have ugly painted necks.

I have to say that I generally prefer the oil/wax treatment only on necks with rosewood (or ebony) fretboard. Wax/oil on an all-maple neck doesn't quite feel the way it should to me. The maintenance for oil+wax on the maple fretboard is also more annoying than on the back of the neck.

I had no idea, as all my EBMM guitars are axis/reflex, AL and SM, which all have gunstock oil/wax. I do agree the maple fretboards take some routine cleaning to keep their "factory fresh," appearance, but I have hardly found this to be unduly taxing - since Wonder wipes are readily available. I have not played any of the roasted, or painted variants, but I don't have much interest, even if there is placebo or spurious effect to the treatment. Having had many other guitar brands, I much prefer the feel of the naked neck EBMM. To each their own, I guess. I'm sure the topic evokes strong opinion, for and against the treatment. I was unaware of how many models that applied paint or varnish. It would be an interesting psychological experiment if those who favored paint/varnish had occasion to play these same models with a more traditional gunstock finish. I can't imagine much ambivalence, given the strong opinions expressed here.

 

[uOpt]

The problem is that paints are very different. The clear or tinted poly put onto Music Mans like the SR classic is one thing and they have the same kind of resistance to movement, mostly. Nitro can be all over the place. It can be similar to the poly. But it can feel like outright glue when not cured properly, and that is a common problem with a certain mass manufacturer that always does nitro but doesn't take the time. Then you have the solid car-style paints that are e.g. on the back of a neck of a Bongo, which to me feel different from the clear coats.

Nitro of course you can properly repair, poly not so much.

 

[TSHOW]

I am in a comparable situation. I own a few PRSs and kinda liked them - until I bought my first EBMM with unfinished neck. Now I feel like I can no longer play a PRS - the neck instantly feels sticky, greasy and slippery (also due to my sweaty hands of course). I also feel like liking the EBMM's longer scale but narrower fretboard better than the PRS's dimensions, but this might be a matter of getting used to only.
Sanding a PRS neck to me was never an option, as this would dramatically devalue the guitar - besides feeling like being too clumsy for such a task.
In my early EBMM days, when I only had one and wasn't sure about whether or not I would like the neck shapes, I asked PRS customer support if they would offer guitars with unfinished necks, and they replied that their Brent Mason model and the Floyd Custom 24 use unfinished maple necks.
But then I fell in love with the unfinished EBMM necks, and build quality and sounds of EBMM guitars do not at all fall short of the PRS's, and so I think that my PRS inventory will decrease and EBMM will grow.

I also..sold 3 PRS guitars when I fell in love with the EBMM guitars..I have 8 Balls now....

 

[Chad Gladstone]

I am in a comparable situation. I own a few PRSs and kinda liked them - until I bought my first EBMM with unfinished neck. Now I feel like I can no longer play a PRS - the neck instantly feels sticky, greasy and slippery (also due to my sweaty hands of course). I also feel like liking the EBMM's longer scale but narrower fretboard better than the PRS's dimensions, but this might be a matter of getting used to only.
Sanding a PRS neck to me was never an option, as this would dramatically devalue the guitar - besides feeling like being too clumsy for such a task.
In my early EBMM days, when I only had one and wasn't sure about whether or not I would like the neck shapes, I asked PRS customer support if they would offer guitars with unfinished necks, and they replied that their Brent Mason model and the Floyd Custom 24 use unfinished maple necks.
But then I fell in love with the unfinished EBMM necks, and build quality and sounds of EBMM guitars do not at all fall short of the PRS's, and so I think that my PRS inventory will decrease and EBMM will grow.

Well the 305/25th 305 has the longer scale length and I didn't mind any hit to resale value, as I never intend to sell my it, or I wouldn't have sanded the neck, in the first place. Having said that, I still prefer my EBMM's overall, but my prs 305 is a definite strat substitute. I can't wait for my al SSS to get here, as I had forgotten how much I loved that single coil "quack." Just a couple more days and it will be here (I couldn't wait to add it to my signature).