Was the whole unfinshed neck thing Eddie's idea?

[Eric O'Reilly]

I read somewhere that earlier ebmms had finished necks, until the EVH where he requested it so it would suit his needs, and i know the neck is a computerized copy of his kramer, but ive also heard that all his necks dating back to the first B/w frankie were unfinished, maybe some oil, or better yet he said in an interview that" once your hand oils get in there its better that anything you could put on" im just curious, thought this would be a cool question, any input would be awesome, thanks.

 

[uOpt]

Well, we aren't talking just "oil" here. TruOil can be closer to a finish than not having a finish depending on how thick it is. The very slick feel doesn't come from the TruOil, it is from the wax (with silicone).

 

[banjoplayer]

Well, we aren't talking just "oil" here. TruOil can be closer to a finish than not having a finish depending on how thick it is. The very slick feel doesn't come from the TruOil, it is from the wax (with silicone).

yes exactly, wax is THE thing.
If I treat my necks, after the TruOil they are always a bit sticky. After the wax they are sooo slick!

 

[pentaspan]

yes, I read an article on this forum that claimed both the unfinished necks and the contoured heel (despite the rumor it was Steve Morse's dremel job) where started by EVH

...whether or not the author had his facts straight is another story.

 

[banjoplayer]

yes, I read an article on this forum that claimed both the unfinished necks and the contoured heel (despite the rumor it was Steve Morse's dremel job) where started by EVH

...whether or not the author had his facts straight is another story.

Steve Morse's dremel job took place in 2000 (you can see him on Deep Purple live in Montreux with a cast on his left arm/wrist - but still the uncontoured neck heel, he grinded it afterwards, look at the video below). The EBMM have unfinished necks, 5 bolts and contoured neck heels since 1991. But Steve's #1 was an old 6 bolt neck (finished) until then. I think it was a grinder

 

[banjoplayer]

Right at the beginning at ca. 0:30

Ernie Ball - Steve Morse Talks With Sterling Ball…:

 

[Eric O'Reilly]

So was i right? Do we owe our favorite necks to Edward?

 

[uOpt]

So was i right? Do we owe our favorite necks to Edward?

That's ridiculous. Lots of Fenders and Gibsons that had lost all the paint on the back of the neck before '78.

 

[Stratty316]

That's ridiculous. Lots of Fenders and Gibsons that had lost all the paint on the back of the neck before '78.

The point is that they came finished.... EBMM really bought into the unfinished neck around the time the EVH came out. Same with the sculpted neck joint. Maybe it wasn't ED's idea... But his model launched it and may have helped to validate it.


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[Eric O'Reilly]

I think Ed had a lot to do with it if not was the sole reason. I thinks some time around 90, the whole, lets make a guitar the way Ed wants, happened, and ive heard him say in interviews that an unfinished neck is the best, and " once your hand oils get in there, its better than anythig you could put on it" i think that mentality is what brought about an "oil" finished neck!

 

[mtrejo]

I started a thread asking the same thing about 3 years ago but never got an answer. I guess at this point it is speculation how it all came about. I don't know the answer but I do think it started with Ed. As a result of reading that article in the 90's I sanded one of my guitar necks and really enjoyed the feel.

 

[Eric O'Reilly]

I love the feel of an unfinished, slightly rough, but smooth, and grainy yet soft, neck, and at this point, its pretty safe to speculate that this was an Ed idea, and the fact that ebmm was so eager to please Ed, they produced the best neck finish in the world! The ebmms and peavey necks are my favorite necks ever, somedays l like the ebmm neck more others i like my usa wolf special in sunburst more, those peavey necks are AWESOME! but i think the ebmm neck plays a bit faster and is thinner, the wolf if flatter and wider and chunky, with those real high frets ( that ive grown to love!) But both models have gone down as works of art. The ebmms right now seem to be rarer and more $. But some of the rare peaveys are big $, and some of the quilts ive seen on the custom wolfs are insane! I liked that they had a custom shop.