Mahogany neck, finished, unfinished.. jibba jabba.. questions?

[Multiversal]

I read all the time that the mahogany neck on the BFR Petruccis must have a finish on them.

Is there ANY other way around that? I mean, are there other kinds of finishes that you can use so that the neck isn't painted? I mean, I definitely prefer non-painted necks.. but I have owned(and still own) a guitar(s) with painted necks and after a minute or two of playing I forget all about it. This thread isn't so much for me as it is for anyone else that can't live with out a BFR, but don't want a painted neck. I would've asked in another thread, but I decided not to hijack it and start a new one altogether.

I mean, I've seen other companies with mahogany necks that were unpainted.. like this Warmoth neck..

http://www.mammothguitars.com/images/necks/wm2.jpg

Also, if the answer is no, then could somebody explain in detail why? I've thought about this often, and would like to know what can happen to the wood if the neck is left unfinished/unpainted.

Thanks in advance for the replies.

 

[sceletor]

That's a good question, because I have a BFR, but I don't like its neck, so it's really needs to have a finish or not?
Actually my problem is the lacquer, because after 1-2 minutes my palm start to be in a sweat, it means that it will be a sticky/tacky, so I really hate it and I would like to find a solution.
I love the other MM's necks.

 

[colinboy]

i dont think theres anyway around this issue guys.i dont think it as much of a deal as people make out finished/unfinished necks.you get used to it instantly such is the quality of these instruments.

 

[Multiversal]

i dont think theres anyway around this issue guys.i dont think it as much of a deal as people make out finished/unfinished necks.you get used to it instantly such is the quality of these instruments.

No doubt, man.. no doubt about that at all.. I'm just curious.

 

[PugNinjas]

I think it's because mahogany is a very porous wood and a legitmate finish will eliminate the chance of warping due to moisture. Even Warmoth states that mahogany necks require a finish.

 

[Multiversal]

I think it's because mahogany is a very porous wood and a legitmate finish will eliminate the chance of warping due to moisture. Even Warmoth states that mahogany necks require a finish.

Okay, then is there perhaps a different kind of finish that could be used?

I'm not an expert on finishes by any means, but what about something like a satin finish? How does that work, and would that work in protecting the neck properly?

 

[Larry]

Personally when I first read of the JP BFR having a painted neck I was quite disappointed. I felt EBMM was venturing away from what made them unique as a guitar company (other than there awesome quality, and customer service) but then I played one. Painted or not they are wonderful.

 

[roburado]

JP seems to have no problem. So, I guess it can't be all bad.

 

[Multiversal]

JP seems to have no problem. So, I guess it can't be all bad.

I am not supporting the common idea that a painted neck slows you down, but some people don't like the way it feels.

If there is absolutely no way around it and you either get a BFR or you don't, then it's all good.. I'm just curious as to whether or not there are ANY options at all for after you purchase it modification-wise.

I can't wait to get the dough for a BFR JP and BFR Luke.

 

[greenwizard]

I'm just curious as to whether or not there are ANY options at all for after you purchase it modification-wise.

WD40??

 

[Multiversal]

WD40??

Hahaha.

 

[Multiversal]

Here's an example.. these Tom Anderson guitars have a satin finish on their mahogany necks. Would that still leave the neck vulnerable to warping as if it were unfinished? I'm guessing that a painted neck provides the best protection, but would it still provide some protection?

Tom Anderson Acoustic Guitars - Mass Street Music

What about tung oil?

 

[roburado]

I am not supporting the common idea that a painted neck slows you down, but some people don't like the way it feels.

If there is absolutely no way around it and you either get a BFR or you don't, then it's all good.. I'm just curious as to whether or not there are ANY options at all for after you purchase it modification-wise.

I can't wait to get the dough for a BFR JP and BFR Luke.

I'm just joking. So many times, people complain about the painted neck thing. Honestly, I'm kind of sick of it.

The JP BFR are the only BFR guitars that have painted necks. None of the others do. Let's be precise about it.

 

[Multiversal]

I'm just joking. So many times, people complain about the painted neck thing. Honestly, I'm kind of sick of it.

The JP BFR are the only BFR guitars that have painted necks. None of the others do. Let's be precise about it.

Oh, dude.. I know. I'm pretty tired of it too. I played a Jackson RR1 for years and it never slowed me down! One of the fastest guitars I ever owned.

I figured that because I mentioned BFR Petrucci in the beginning of my first post that it wouldn't be necessary to repeat it, and also most folks here know what I'm talking about.. but I guess I could repeat it like one would use a courtesy accidental in written music.

 

[Pablo]

Just to clarify: the satin finish is also a laquer.

Tsung oil really doesn't protect as well as hard finishes - it pretty much falls into the "gunstock wax and oil" category.

If you don't feel comfortable with the painted neck on the BFR, just buy a standard JP and transplant the neck... Nah seriously, if the painted neck is so much of an issue to you, the JP BFR simply isn't for you.

Cheers

Eske

 

[Ripper]

I dont own a mahogany neck guitar. But I do own a full mahogany body ibanez JS6000 satriani fixed bridge model. Just completed a refinishing job on the entire body recently, man..this thing NEEDS maintenance. Mahogany looks nice, sound nice, but its is soft man. A painted neck is a wise decision.

 

[roburado]

JIf you don't feel comfortable with the painted neck on the BFR, just buy a standard JP and transplant the neck... Nah seriously, if the painted neck is so much of an issue to you, the JP BFR simply isn't for you.

Cheers

Eske

I do wonder what the JP BFR would have been like if the neck weren't mahogany. I would love to hear/play a version of that guitar with an original JP neck.

 

[sceletor]

I do wonder what the JP BFR would have been like if the neck weren't mahogany. I would love to hear/play a version of that guitar with an original JP neck.

I am thinking about the change

 

[philiprst]

I could be wrong but I don't believe that anyone from EBMM has ever said that mahogany necks must be finished and that this is the reason for the BFR having a painted neck. Several forum members have said this but, as others have pointed out, there are plenty of examples of other guitars with non-painted mahogany necks.

I will conjecture that the BFR has a painted neck because that was what John wanted and because an unpainted neck would look really odd on a BFR.

 

[Astrofreq]

Guys, take off the neck and sand it down. Seriously. I've sanded necks on an Ibanez, Yamaha and my Taylor acoustic. Start with a coarser grit and finish with a super fine paper. You'll love the difference.

I have to disagree about it not making a huge difference. I think finish makes a huge difference. If you guys aren't willing to sand off the lacquer, I totally understand because you paid oodles for a killer guitar and are iffy about changing anything. If the lacquer isn't something you can live with, just sell it and find a model that suits your needs better.