RudyH Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 In the context of relic-ed guitars I have repeatedly seen phrases like "the neck is worn in". What does that mean? Do guitar players apply abrasives to their fretting palms to physically wear the neck? I cannot imagin any amount of handling that would change the contours of the neck over time. I do expect that handling will polish it over time. Can you actually feel the difference between an old guitar neck and a new one? What are you feeling that is different? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thundergod Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 I dont think it reffers to the contour but to the finish... some people (me included) dont like those shiny sticky necks. Fender (at least for the USA line) makes necks with satin finish (or was it no finish???) and they feel great... I used to own a peavey wolfgang custom and it had an oil finish in the neck, but that was it, the neck felt like bare wood... great! (actually the neck was the only thing I really liked about that tiny little guitar) Gibson on the other hand, uses nitro, which doesnt really dry out, it just keeps rubbing off and getting into the wood, and at times (and deppending on the weather) can feel sticky as the body of a stripper after a 30 minute show... Given time (and if they get played often) neck finishes will fade, so some old gibsons have worn off neck backs, you can see that on lots of pics; when that happens, the neck stops feeling sticky and becomes smooth and really nice to play. That's the main reason I chose a standard faded over a "normal" standard, the neck wasn't as sticky, and it made a great difference when playing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swmcv2007 Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 I think it feels sanded down and has the feel of a satin finish. Some players do that themselves because they like the feel. I could be very wrong though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Given time (and if they get played often) neck finishes will fade' date=' so some old gibsons have worn off neck backs, you can see that on lots of pics; when that happens, the neck stops feeling sticky and becomes smooth and really nice to play.[/quote'] My pre-CBS Strat had a bald-patch on the rear of the neck from about the level of the first fret to about the seventh. The funny thing was that, as the evening wore on and my hand was sweating more, that was the area that got sticky - not the lacquered part; That area got more slippery... Strange sweat?!? (Probably all those deep-fried Mars Bars breaking through the pores...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitar slinger Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 I'm with Thunder. Every single word. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modoc_333 Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 the wood does get worn down too... especially the ridge at the edge of the fretboard. no, guitar players don't put sandpaper on their hands, but playing a lot still wears it down... and it's noticeable. the first time you play a good, heavily played old guitar then you will understand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mick Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 This is my '78 Pro and no it wasn't sanded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taylor Player Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 My preference is for a satin or no finish on a neck. My Taylors both have satin finish but my 1993 has become very glossed with use over the last 15 years. It is not a sticky gloss like what I have on my Gibson Advanced Jumbo. I love the neck thickness on the AJ but was annoyed by the sticky feel after playing for awhile mostly during the summer. I have taken to using 0000 steel wool and rubbing the neck every few weeks. It takes the gloss off and makes it feel like a satin neck. It glosses back up fairly quickly with use, but steel wool is cheap! Just make sure to cover your magnetic pickups or soundhole on an acoustic so metal shavings do not get attached to your pickups! I have also seen actual ruts worn into some old fingerboards due to years of use. Now those are guitars that have been played!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FirstMeasure Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 I like finished necks cause satin stains and looks dull after a while and I don't like the initial feel, but after a minute of playing on a satin neck I forget all about what the neck feels like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elantric Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 2008 Dark Fire - "Satin Finish" - more like a worn brown LP Studio finish Its ugly but extremely playable - I've grown to like it.- but its nowhere as sticky as say an Ibanez with a Gloss Polyester finish ( I hate those) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 I have also seen actual ruts worn into some old fingerboards due to years of use. Now those are guitars that have been played!!! I'll try to track down some snaps of my (ex) old Strat; It had a fingerboard like a ploughed field........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikko18 Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 i sand the finish completely off the necks of all my guitars. it feels so much better that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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