• Ernie Ball
  • MusicMan
  • Sterling by MusicMan

bovinehost

Administrator
Joined
Jan 16, 2003
Messages
18,197
Location
Dall-Ass, TX
First, as can be noted elsewhere on this board, I am a huge fan of the modern EB MM basses, so let's not take this as a negative. I will still play my current basses and no doubt continue to buy more (IE, Bongo).

But I have a question or two regarding the neck finishes.

1. When did the first unfinished necks hit the streets? It seems that a Stingray 5 I had (build date: 12-99) had a finished neck, but since it's no longer in my possession, I might be imagining things.

2. Why? Why unfinished? The vast majority of players I've talked to DON'T like the idea, and have set about finding ways to apply finish to the necks. Unfinished wood is more susceptible to changes in temperature and humidity, no doubt about that, and bass necks should be able to take the changes without having to adjust the truss rod every time the bass is played, say, outdoors.

The gunstock (Tru-Oil) finish does work, and now all my Stingrays (and my Sterling) have had the stuff applied, but the satin finish on the necks was a GREAT finish. Couldn't we have it back?

Jacko
 

Derek

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 18, 2003
Messages
1,181
In 1991 with the advent of the EVH signature Guitar one special feature that we implemeted was the Oil and Wax neck. Guitar players for years were talking about
vintage Instruments and how the necks felts so comfortable with a"worn in feel". ie: (The laquer worn off) Eddie liked it and so did the public ,so we felt it should be applied to everything we make including the Stingray line of basses. Which soon followed after 91'.

Understandably there will always be folks who like the basses as they were originally designed.
However our necks are one feature everyone always comments on...how good they feel

The Lacquered necks do have a better track record for withstanding humidity/weather related ajustments, but they take longer to produced and spraying in CA is already tough with all the EPA restrictions. Oil and wax is a breeze and less expensive to apply ie: Finishing,sanding,buffing. It all takes extra time and labor.

Derek
 
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