Hi all,
I'm looking for some help/recommendations on keeping unfinished necks in decent working order, especially feel.
I have both a Musicman JP and Charvel So Cal that are suffering with very dry/rough feeling necks.
During the restringing process I always clean and treat the fretboards using either Ernie Ball Wonder Wipes or Dunlop fingerboard treatment.
I also clean the rear of the neck with Oil Soap and treat with tru-oil and wax as per ernie balls site.
This does the job at first but after a little while, then feels horrible. The rear of the neck and also the fingerboard at times can feel rough, dry and generally not great. Is this just a trait of raw/unfinished necks? Am I just used to painted/satin necks too much?
Any help would be appreciated as I feel I'm sometimes neglecting these guitars due to the playability.
Cheers
Vince
Comments
Ringleader of the Cambridge cartel, pedal champ and king of the dirt boxes (down to 21)
The back of the neck is my biggest issue, feeling rough and dry.
Musicman suggest the tru-oil(http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B002G1NYZY/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1390165793&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX110_SY165) and wax to treat the back of the neck, maybe I'm not using enough? Maybe it needs further coats?
Light oil finishes like danish oil will feel rough after a time if not properly maintained. Tru-oil is not a light oil finish and should last longer, but roughness can still reappear after a time especially if you have more acidic sweat. danish tended to need re-working once or twice in the first year, but less so after that.
tru-oil and wax should work great for you so i wonder if the technique is slightly off.
Simplest fix:
1) rub back with dry 0000 liberon wire wool till smooth.
2) Apply a coat or two of tru-oil and let dry
3) rub back with wire wool and wax - keep going really working it in.
4) buff with soft cloth
Less simple, more mess - but less ongoing maintenance:
1) take the neck off
2) wetsand all wood areas with tru-oil and 800 grit+ wet and dry until a sludge forms.
3) buff off the sludge with a soft cloth - it will feel super sleek
4) repeat step 2 & 3 with higher grit
5) apply wax with 0000 liberon wire wool, really work it in
6) buff off with a soft cloth
This is generally quite hardwearing and feels great
The good news is that the more you do now, the less it should need it moving forward as a permenant patina will develop on the neck
Instagram
Still feels smooth.
I think Ball owners worry too much.
Just play the thing........
find