Opinons needed: Neck Finishes

[whitestrat]

As much as I love the natural oiled finish on my 20th maple, I hate seeing it get black with dirt and grime. I'm very tempted to have the neck finished in a thin clear nitro or poly coat.

I also have a nice 2nd option: French Polish.

What do you guys think I should do? I'm quite partial to the French Polish, as it's less common, and apparently, is supposed to enhance the tone of the guitar. It's the same thing found on violins, cellos and the like.

Any comments?

 

[Jimmyb]

Just clean it.....

 

[Sweat]

Just clean it.....

I concur

 

[Multiversal]

I personally don't like the way french polish feels. I played stringed instruments for a long time and always wished they had an unfinished neck...

 

[Quarter]

You can always just build up the original Tru Oil finish too.
Tru oil is really more like a vintage instrument varnish than a typical oil finish.
You can build it to a very nice gloss or wool it back to a satin.

Here is one of my lap steels I built and finished in Tru Oil
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g94/quarterbend/Tdrop/close1-1024.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g94/quarterbend/Tdrop/front2.jpg

 

[beej]

I have no idea what French Polish is. (Half French, Half Polish I guess )

But really, the necks are one of the killer features of MM guitars. I don't see any good reason to cover one up with Nitro or Poly. It'll feel totally different. Best advice is to just wash your hands before playing and try your best to keep the neck clean. Every couple of years you can give it a bit of a sanding if it gets grimy.

 

[whitestrat]

You can always just build up the original Tru Oil finish too.
Tru oil is really more like a vintage instrument varnish than a typical oil finish.
You can build it to a very nice gloss or wool it back to a satin.

Here is one of my lap steels I built and finished in Tru Oil
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g94/quarterbend/Tdrop/close1-1024.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g94/quarterbend/Tdrop/front2.jpg

Wow! nice!!! How did you do that?

 

[Spudmurphy]

I don't have a problem - as Beej says - play with clean hands and I would say just give it an oil every now and then.

You just can beat QPR (sorry British football joke!) but you can't beat the feel of a natural EB neck!!!

 

[Dante]

i think he barely has time to be here. maybe he just plays almost 24/7.
those pickup covers on the 20th had enough fat to fry bacon on them!!!

 

[travs]

clean and natural is where its at. its fun to do neck maint. on the Albert.

 

[kompressaur]

i think he barely has time to be here. maybe he just plays almost 24/7.
those pickup covers on the 20th had enough fat to fry bacon on them!!!

just build up either the oil or wax on it. when I first got my new candy red Sterling
a year ago I did that and the neck is still immaculate now.not a mark on it and it feels great (and it gets a fair bit of playtime being my "player/go to" bass)

 

[Lou]

You'd be amazed what the oil/wax treatment does for cleaning. I have a Hamer that has whjat was probably a lightly oiled finish on the neck. It did not feel as smooth as the EB stuff. Anyhoo, I decided to try the EB tru oil/wax on it and it took all the filth off and it looks brand new. This was after 10+ years of no treatment. Do yourself a favor and do the treatment and then just wonder wipe it once in a while. That's all it will take to keep it clean. As an added measure you can wash your hands before playing.

 

[banjoplayer]

I have no idea what French Polish is. (Half French, Half Polish I guess )

But really, the necks are one of the killer features of MM guitars. I don't see any good reason to cover one up with Nitro or Poly. It'll feel totally different. Best advice is to just wash your hands before playing and try your best to keep the neck clean. Every couple of years you can give it a bit of a sanding if it gets grimy.

Does your 91-Morse still has a finish on the neck ir is it oil/wax because Tommy has reshaped it?

 

[robelinda2]

just give the neck a light going over with some very fine steel wool, smooth and clean.

 

[beej]

Does your 91-Morse still has a finish on the neck ir is it oil/wax because Tommy has reshaped it?

Tommy took off the finish when he re-shaped it

Then finished with oil, wax and conditioner. Not only does it feel incredible, it's a rock-solid piece of wood (maybe from being sealed all that time?). I've literally never had to adjust the truss rod.

 

[tommyindelaware]

i apply the gunstock oil in a different way than most folks. i apply a thin coat. then i let it dry 24 hours.....then steel wool it some.......then i repeat the same process like 3 or 4 times. i feel it seals the wood better. it takes alot longer.....but i get a better build on the oil. i have one neck that the oil is so thick..it looks & feels like a finished neck. i think that was test # 62.
it has a real cool natural aged amber tint to it too....
i also like the factory job just fine. i do clean w/ steel wool & re-oil about 2 times a year.
i've also found birchwood & casey's tru oil in a spray can.

 

[58super]

I have no idea what French Polish is. (Half French, Half Polish I guess )

But really, the necks are one of the killer features of MM guitars. I don't see any good reason to cover one up with Nitro or Poly. It'll feel totally different. Best advice is to just wash your hands before playing and try your best to keep the neck clean. Every couple of years you can give it a bit of a sanding if it gets grimy.

I agree with Beej. Oil feels the best.

French polish is multiple thin coats shellac and alot of elbow grease.
One split beer and you get to start all over again.

I wax polish my necks every couple of weeks to keep the shine and give it a light cleaning. Birchwood Casey stock sheen makes the neck feel even smoother.

I'm going to try the Tommy's treatment on my Axis SS. Multiple thin coats with light steel wool in between.

 

[MusicManJP6]

I've noticed a bit of rough spots on my JP's neck. What grade steel wool should I use to clean it up a bit? I can only really feel the grime/dirt on the neck - can't really see it. It just feels like some rough spots - I've not sanded it in the two years i've had it, so I figured it was time to hit it up real quick and smooth her out! Thanx...

 

[fsmith]

I've always used sandpaper to get rough spots off of my necks. I start with 800 grit and move to 1200, 1500 and finish up with 2000. It doesn't take but a few swipes with each to make it good to go. Then I do the oil and wax treatment.

Tommy has me thinking about trying it his way the next time I do mine.

 

[phatduckk]

just give the neck a light going over with some very fine steel wool, smooth and clean.

this is pretty much all i do with my MM guitars and basses. Ive done the gunstock oil and wax thing maybe once on each and I've had some of my MMs for 8 years or so.

the steel wool thing goes a LONG way for me