Finish Aging

[tvanveen]

I have an early 90's tele, and I noticed recently that the neck is starting to get a nice vintage looking orange tint like you see on old electrics. I hate that guitar, but it's starting to look pretty cool.

Will MM necks do this? I would guess not.

What about the white finish? Will that yellow slightly over time, or is that a property of nitro finishes?

Just curious.

tv

 

[Derek]

I have seen some early 90's Music Man necks turn a shade of orange from consistant useage.
I know the lacqured necks would turn but i was suprised when I saw some oil and wax necks get that orange hue. These guitars were consistantly played and greased upon.

I have also seen some Late 80's early 90's Stingrays that were sprayed White that have certainly "yellowed" over time. Not quite the cream color that is associated with the vintage guitars of the 60's and 70's but certainly an off-white hue.

Derek

 

[tvanveen]

So they got yellow with finger grease? Cool, I'm halfway there.

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[Jimi D]

Mine are too dirty for me to see if they are "aging" or not... Maybe if I cleaned them once and a while...

 

[NorM]

True, True.....
Hand washing before playing is a beautiful thing. Pictured is a 93 silo next to an 03 silo. The 93 is the darker one. When I got the 93 I think JimiD had been playing it because it was so dirty.
In fact you couldn't even tell it was a birdseye neck. I had Michelangelo (My luthier) scrape a lot of the dirt off of the fret board while he replaced the first 5 frets. Then I spent a day with the finest steed wool. Finally (while the guitar was in 37 pieces) I refinished the neck myself with the wax and oil as described on this sight. This was a very rewarding experience. The neck ended up with that perfect color, feel and sound. It stays a lot cleaner now too.

 

[ratter]

My 93 neck has turned a nice shade of brown/black/green

 

[tvanveen]

Oh yeah? Got a picture?

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[louisgtr]

I bought my JP back in March 2003 and the neck is starting to get that "aged" look. I think it looks pretty cool.