Just a couple questions.

[cbpmmjp05]

1. I am beginning to notice some wear on the gunstock oil finish, in various spots pf the back of the neck on my Petrucci. It is no wonder, for I have played the guitar quite a bit. I was wondering if it might be time to apply some gunstock oil/ wax to the back of the neck? I imagine this is all it would take to get that nice satin feel back. Anyway, I read the faq, and I think it should be a pretty simple job. However, I was just wondering if anyone could offer any tips on approximately how much to use, what to apply it with, or any other things to keep in mind while doing this. Also, I'm assuming I should probably do this outside, or on my back porch where there is vetilation.

2. Also, my Petrucci is still playing great, overall. Aesthically, it looks as though I just received it from Pete yesterday. However, the weather changes in the north east really take it's toll on the guitars playability. This guitar is stored with great care, but it still is effected. What I'm trying to say is, I think it is need of a good PROFESSIONAL setup. I'm also wondering if having the neck sealed would help alieviate some of the effects that this region of the country has on the guitar. If so, I would like to know who to get in touch with to have my baby sent out for an over-haul. I believe it is Jon? I'm not sure.

I would be grateful for any assistance.

 

[beej]

In reverse order ...

These necks are unsealed, and as such are going to be affected by humitidy changes. I'm in Toronto and get the same effect ... humid in the summer, dry in the winter. Once your guitar is properly set up, all you need to do a couple of times a year is tweek the truss rod. Once the bow is the same as it was before, your string height, etc. will all be fine. So: get it set up (height, intonation) once, and then do the truss rod tweeks as needed.

You can get the neck sealed (do a search for "pimped"), but this is a last resort and as Jon will tell you, it's not necessary. Lots of us live in varying climates, adjusting your guitar is just a fact of life. I also need to add/remove air in my tires as the temperature changes too

There's lots of info here on oiling/waxing your neck - do a search first. Esssentially, when you want to do it take the neck off, sand it down using increasingly finer grits to remove the old wax and smooth it down, apply the oil for a few minutes at most and wipe off, and then do the same with the wax. Once you're happy with the smoothness of the finish, put the neck on and play away. It's an easy process once you get used to it.

Note that you don't really need to do this frequently. Some guys have never done it! All depends how you like the feel of the neck (raw or smooth).

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I have only done it twice, and the guitars in question are 10 years old! Though I do do have to tweak the truss rods all the time. Its something that you have to live with! But its worth it!

 

[cbpmmjp05]

Thank you for the help. As far as truss rod adjustments go, that's fine. No biggie. I have already done that. However, I just don't trust myself to do the other stuff. I have had it almost a year, so I already figured on having a set-up done.

A couple of concerns:

A. I am more then a little reluctant to start attacking neck with sand paper.

B. Can this be done without removing the neck from the guitar? There is no way I am going to remove the neck from that guitar. I read the faq and it didn't see anything about sanding or removing the neck.

Once again, thank you for the helpful tips, beej.

 

[beej]

Hey- we're all happy to help out around here.

I completely understand your reluctance to sand! It's not always necessary. But that's the way to smooth out the neck and remove the crud. I can't recall the grits I've used (search) but I end up going to 1500 grit from about 600. At those grits you're not removing much wood - you'd have to do it all day long to make any difference. All you're doing is smoothing them out.

You can do it w/o taking off the neck. I've done it that way before. It's just tough to get the bits around the neck pocket is all, and then you end up with a bit of residue in the gap and on the body. Not a problem, but just a bit messy.

Once you go over to the dark side and start taking your guitars apart ... you'll never look back. You won't break it by unscrewing the neck

(My lawyer wants me to include a disclaimer on that last bit ...)

 

[jeffrey]

I scrub mine down occasionally with 000 Steel Wool.

Works fine.

 

[cbpmmjp05]

Thank you guys. Your help has been invaluable! Some of my questions might seem a bit dumb, but when we are talking guitars, I like to be well informed before taking on a project. I know my limitations.

Beej, I owe you a nice cold beer!

 

[jeffrey]

There are no dumb questions (except for the ones you don't ask).

 

[Roubster]

Believe me man, I had the same concerns and questions when I did that the first time on my Silo not too long ago. I personally did NOT sand the neck at all and did NOT take off the neck. Actually I took off the neck for another reason of doing that shimming stuff, which was completely worthless and pointless and a waste of my time AND nerves. I was so freakin paranoid of takin the neck off, but everything is perfectly fine and the Silo plays better than ever. I will probably give my new LUKE the neck treatment as well, cuz it's not as smooth as the Silo neck after it's procedure . Good luck man, and the sanding thing you really dont need to do if you wash your hands everytime before playing and wiping it down with a clean cloth every time you hold it .

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

Steve....
I have a problem taking necks off guitars. It's just something I do, almost involuntary. Rarely do I personally own a bolt-on guitar for more than 4 hours before the neck comes off - it's just an issue I have to deal with on my own.

That being said, while I've obviously never been scared to take the neck off a guitar, you don't need to take the neck off to treat it. After all, how much contact do your hands make to areas on the neck that you need to access taking the neck off the body? I recommend taping off the heel with some masking tape, then go to town with some 3M wet/dry 1200. I usually turn the guitar upsidedown and lay it over my leg like it's a naughty child who needs a spanking - I then fold the sandpaper into thirds lengthwise, and loop it over the curvature of the neck. Grasp one end of the paper in each hand, hold the guitar on your lap with an elbow, and move the paper using a sawing/up/down motion (yields great results!)

You shouldn't need to go as low as 600 unless you've really been playing the snot out of that guitar like beej does to his. If you really play it, you may want to start with 800, but I think you should be fine with 1200.

I don't remember how far you live from here, but if you are at all unsure about how to do this, either have someone close to you show you how, or bring the guitar up on a weekend and I'll show you how to treat it.

 

[cbpmmjp05]

Steve....
I usually turn the guitar upsidedown and lay it over my leg like it's a naughty child who needs a spanking

LOL!

Thank you for the help Roubster and Pete. Pete, I have been wanting to come down to the store for a while now. Unfortuantely, I did not pick up on the Open House or the Petrucci Clinic, until they had already passed. Otherwise, I would have made it down to see you by now. But yeah, if you would be willing to help me out, I would love to come down. Actually, I would probably just have you do the set up for me, if you have the time...that guitar was set up awesome when I received it from you. Actually, that is how I know it needs to be tuned up. It still plays great, but I can definately notice a difference.

I could just hold off for now, and then maybe we could arrange a weekend for me to come down in the next few weeks. I also need to pick up the strap locks and the splitter box, so I could just grab them while I'm down there...besides, I want to just once gaze upon one of those Y2D's.

P.S. I do play the guitar alot, but I always wipe it down when I'm fineshed, and my hands are always clean. Like I said, this guitar still looks like it did the day I opened it for the first time.