If this is the problem, what is the cure?

[Grand Wazoo]

It can't be the case, if you look at an original MM case, you will see it has a long evenly spread concave support for the neck that runs all the way from the body joint to the headstock so I have also excluded that already, it's just the wood ageing man, can't be anything else.

Like Mr. Sterling Ball said if I want to get rid of it I would have to have it sanded at the risk of changing the neck shape which I don't really fancy, so I have decided to live with it, its not a biggie after all.

On the other hand I am very pleased and happy that in 8 years I have managed to keep the body finish in pristine conditions, without even a scratch or a dent, I don't wear buckle belts and my belly does a great job in cushioning the bass before any belt, zipper or other gets in the way, see there is a benefit in having a bit of a belly!

 

[oli@bass]

I think it's from that black tape you have around your 4th fret.

My thoughts exactly

you need a new bass to help you stop worrying about your SR5

That's probably the best advice you can get...

I buy what I need and only what I really like.

I'm working on the "need" part....

 

[SquidLizard]

I bought a Sterling with a maple neck. The front was really dirty and obviously hadn't been maintained. The back was far worse than yours. I know some will pooh-pooh this, but I took it to my local luthier and had him finish the neck. He cleaned it up really well and put a glossy finish on the fingerboard and a satin finish (just knocked it down with some sandpaper I'm sure) on the back of the neck. I'm pretty sure he used polyester, but it was a very thin coat. It was wonderful -- felt all smooth and silky and it didn't affect the tone noticeably.

I later sold the bass to a forumite and he said it was the best neck he ever played. Cost me $100 at the time and was well worth it. The crud bothered me a lot. So that's one thing you might want to consider. You could pass on doing the fingerboard since it doesn't look too bad.

Squid/Lisa

 

[Frantic Slayer]

My SR5 has some gray discoloration of the back of the fretboard, and its a 2007 model, and when u take the strings off of my SR4 you can see allot of gray stuff... I mean mojo on the fretboard

I love it! it think its a good thing!

 

[Ed x TWWK]

The back of my neck is severely discolored, BP's right, I think it makes it special, rather than bother me. It's like my own personal neck finish, and it feels and plays great.

 

[megaroel]

yo bro im new around here but it could be one of two things.
1.its a natural marking of the wood charetristics comming out. wood darkens as it age's
and it might just be in this area its no biggie gives it a vintage look. who really knows how old that neck is only ernieball.
2.your thumb rubbing agianst the finish. its blackinging the wax. agian dont worry.
still will retain that eb value.
sorry about your finger,hey try buing a leather glove and cutting all the fingers off except the thumb should give more comfert. between the skin and the wood rubbing

 

[MrMusashi]

this is how my evh looks..

my uneducated guess is that different "hardness" in the wood has made it absorb sweat, oil and grease differently...

MrM

 

[bobalu]

CaptMoto, notwithstanding your concern about "lines", I think that aged neck colour looks awesome. I absolutely love that petina/discolouring or whatever you want to call it. Box it up and send me some!!!!!

 

[73jbass]

Capt that is the firswt time the words "Stumpy little bone" have been strung together....


An eight year old bass will gain patina. Thank goodness it does. That is the mojo. If not sand it because there is white maple underneath. Understand that when you do that that depending on how deep the stain you will slightly affect the shape. You are seeing the effects of sweat, smoke, air pollutants and oil create a finish. It should be what makes it like butter.

I believe a very famous bass player call that "the funk". I'd just hit the neck with some fine Scotchbrite,keep the neck oiled,and not worry about it.