"Waxing" an unfinished MM neck...?

[OutToPlayJazz]

Okay, so my 4-string Stingray piezo has had the neck satin finished by a luthier and it's utterly perfect. I've also got a newer Stingray 5 with the unfinished neck. I can't decide whether to "wax" it, get it satin lacquered like my other one, or to go the whole hog and get a Status-Graphite replacement neck for it.

What methods do you people use to smooth your necks & what options are there from a DIY perspective?

Thanks in advance,

Rich.

 

[the unrepentant]

you can use really fine grade wire wool/sandpaper to take it down to bare wood and get all the dirt off and rub in some gunstock oil, otherwise known as tru oil. This is the stuff, should leave your neck feeling all new and lovely

not really heard much about waxing them though, oil is generally what most people on here use...

 

[Duarte]

Status...graphite...SR5...sweeet.

 

[Powman]

Casey's gun stock oil. Don't overdo it, just a small amount. Followed by a very small amount of Casey's Gun Stock Wax. Give a good rub and voila, feels like silk.

 

[bovinehost]

I use Casey's Gunstock Oil, too. Tell you what, though, it does leave my Glock kind of slippery.

 

[Aussie Mark]

I'm intrigued why 90% of the time an aftermarket Status Graphite neck is mentioned it's by a UK-based forum member. Is there a well known British Stingray player who uses one, which feeds the interest over there?

 

[RaginRog]

To add to Powman's comment- Make sure not to leave either the oil or wax on there for more than 5-10 minutes. I believe if you run a search, you'll find some other thread. I started on a couple of months ago, that gives a detailed explaination of the process.

 

[OutToPlayJazz]

I'm intrigued why 90% of the time an aftermarket Status Graphite neck is mentioned it's by a UK-based forum member. Is there a well known British Stingray player who uses one, which feeds the interest over there?

Heh! No, I've been playing Status-Graphite basses for the last twenty years, so I know the graphite necks very well. I love the smoothness of them and the growl you get from them.

I think I'm going to try the oil/wax route first, then keep the Status plan as a backup.

 

[the unrepentant]

I'm intrigued why 90% of the time an aftermarket Status Graphite neck is mentioned it's by a UK-based forum member. Is there a well known British Stingray player who uses one, which feeds the interest over there?

out to play jazz is a well known status man on another uk bass forum
plus status are a british made brand, so we don't get stung with import tax etc like you guys do.

 

[oli@bass]

Mark King??

 

[mynan]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_he76aLykU&feature=PlayList&p=4F156DE5A29EECC7&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=9"]YouTube- Caring for your Music Man neck & Fretboard[/ame]

 

[rizzo9247]

I use Casey's Gunstock Oil, too. Tell you what, though, it does leave my Glock kind of slippery.

In both cases, a little goes a long way...just a bit on those guide-rails...

 

[the unrepentant]

Mark King??

He wishes

 

[OutToPlayJazz]

Er, yes you could say I'm a bit of a Status man. Been playing them professionally for the last twenty years. Sorry.

But I am getting into my MM's as well...

And as for the Mark King comment - I've met him a few times. He's okay for a trainee, but Victor Wooten would be more my aiming level.

 

[keko]

Wooow, what a bass collection!

Congrats man!

According the Thread topic and waxing ...etc., I just wiped mine first time with EB Wonder Wipes and I'm delighted!

I think it's all You really need for maintenance of unfinished necks and fretboards!

I was talking already on this forum about waxing and I'm against that!

Those wipes contains some oils and chemicals I suppose, which clean and oil wood...etc., ...and smell nice, kinda orange smell or something?

Wipe firmly neck and FB, than leave 10 minutes to dry and than polish with clean cotton soft cloth firmly!
Wood will become a little bit darker, wood grain will be more visible, and touch will be silky and smooth..., yeah and that smell, reminds me on my previous Warwick original wax!

 

[oli@bass]

I think it's all You really need for maintenance of unfinished necks and fretboards!

I was talking already on this forum about waxing and I'm against that!

Why are against something that is recommended by the manufacturer?!

 

[Powman]

Why are against something that is recommended by the manufacturer?!

Yeah, good question. Its not hard to do the recommended maintenance. Its kinda of fun. It allows me to get more intimate with my bass...get to know her at a much deeper level.

 

[keko]

Why are against something that is recommended by the manufacturer?!

OK, maybe recommended, but not necessary for sure!

I don't know?
I had a bad experience with my previous whole unfinished Warwick (maple/wenge) and waxing/sanding!

Sorry guys, but I'll take contained status about that matter for a while and keep thinking about it, continue to monitor such a threads ...etc.

Right now, at this moment I'm very pleased with these Wonder Wipes, will see in the future about that waxing, but one thing for sure I'm ain't gonna do, that's sanding my bass, never, any part of it!

With all regards to manufacturer!

keko

 

[oli@bass]

I just did an oil & wax session on my Dargie Delight StingRay. Not only was it a very sensual and spiritual experience -- you know, the getting each other to know better stuff, the sort of thing you get going when washing your sports car by hand -- but it yielded a very satisfactory result! The neck looks and feels now smooth as if it had just left the factory.

Two recommendations:
1.) Have the proper materials and tools hand
2.) Follow the procedure as shown in the EBMM video (or know what you're doing anyways)

With the proper tools at hand following the proper procedure, it's really easy and a guaranteed success. Even with slight deviations (as I didn't have oil soap I just used the Birchwood Casey Tru-Oil and I did the first sanding before oiling... but the neck wasn't dirty just rough), it will yield great results. Just always wipe off excess stuff.

Best thing I've done to one of my instruments in ages. Feels as new.



PS: And it really was lots of fun to do