lacquered finish for all rosewood neck? opinions asked.

[mdstingray]

My 2009 BFR all rosewood neck Stingray is the best sounding Stingray I have ever played and owned (>10).



However, the unfinished back of the neck requires quite some maintenance.
Recently I have been gigging a lot, and removing all the dirt (mainly sweat), re-applying oil-waxing.
I'd rather take a (very) slightly moistered cloth and wipe it down the neck, like I do with my 1977 Ray.



I am considering to apply a lacquered finished because of the easy maintenance, but also because I think a lacquered finish will look stunning, just like the front and back of the headstock.

When lacquered, the playability will be a little bit less smooth, that's fine with me, but I do not want it to change the sound.



looking for opinions.

All the best,
Mich.

 

[Thornton Davis]

I had the neck/headstock of my Big Al 5 finished with a high gloss lacquer a couple of years ago. No regrets. I wish we could have the option (at extra cost) to order our instruments with the necks finished in gloss.



TD

 

[mdstingray]

That looks pretty good to me.

 

[lefenton]

I would have to say that I prefer the lacquer neck on my roasted ray to the gun oil finish on the roasted bongo. Both feel good and play well, I just prefer and feel more comfort with lacquer finishes since my F$#%&r days.

 

[Rick Auricchio]

You might consider emailing Customer Service and asking. I'm curious if rosewood will accept finishes like the maple on standard necks.

 

[OldManMusic]

I would have to say that I prefer the lacquer neck on my roasted ray to the gun oil finish on the roasted bongo. Both feel good and play well, I just prefer and feel more comfort with lacquer finishes since my F$#%&r days.

My roasted Bongo 4 (the black sugar version, not the honey roasted) has the lacquered neck. That's one of the reasons I dig that bass so much. I grew up with my '78 Ray with the lacquered neck and really enjoy that feel too.

 

[jlepre]

From what I know the neck doesn't really affect the overall tone of the instrument. I just wash my hands before ever picking up my bass.

 

[mdstingray]

From what I know the neck doesn't really affect the overall tone of the instrument. I just wash my hands before ever picking up my bass.

Tx all for you input

@ John:
At home yes.
At a 2 set 3 hour gig there is just no way to protect the neck from all the gig-dirt.
The Rosewood just seems (to me) so vunerable.

 

[mdstingray]

You might consider emailing Customer Service and asking. I'm curious if rosewood will accept finishes like the maple on standard necks.

You would think so. The headstock (rosewood) back and front is lacquered.

 

[Rick Auricchio]

Ah, then I stand corrected. I haven't yet seen one.

 

[keko]

I sealed whole maple neck on my reflex too:

I think EBMM should have an option for any model: unfinished or finished, so customers can decide!!!

 

[Tollywood]

I am considering to apply a lacquered finished because of the easy maintenance, but also because I think a lacquered finish will look stunning, just like the front and back of the headstock.

All the best,
Mich.

Hi Mich,

I agree that the gloss finish will look very, very nice. I love the feel of the unfinished necks, but I also love the finished neck on my Axis. Go for it...you can always sand it back off if you regret your decision.

Good luck,
Bryan

 

[dmarotta]

You might consider emailing Customer Service and asking. I'm curious if rosewood will accept finishes like the maple on standard necks.

The oiled rosewood neck is my favorite finish.Rosewood could be a challenge to finish.i wouldnt do it.

 

[phatduckk]

i have a lot of MM instruments & am pretty lazy... as such my quick method of maintaining my necks is to quickly go over the neck with super fine grade steel wool, wipe it down with wonder wipes FB conditioner & finally a quick wipe with a paper towel.

i do this with the headstock on the carpet and the butt pointed up towards the ceiling - gravity helps keep the wool off the pickups (again, more laziness).

takes just a couple minutes and feels great.

 

[sanderhermans]

Fb conditioner with lemon oil should not be used on maple...
And i never use steel wool or anny other type of sanding paper. U always take a litl bit off the neck that way.
If u just keep your hands clean, you can wait untill the neck "dries up" d then re-oil and wax it. If you let the oil soke in a bit and use a good oil you won't have to do this verry often.

 

[DrKev]

And i never use steel wool or anny other type of sanding paper. U always take a litl bit off the neck that way.

Only the tiniest amount it's not a problem. In fact EBMM actually recommend a light sanding if the neck is really dirty...

 

[zortation]

I'd be happy if they just offered a satin urethane finish for their necks. That's what they use on their headstocks and all they would need to do is grab the arm of the guy doing the spraying and forcing him to keep going down the neck...I will volunteer for this.