Cleaning up the *back* of a neck.

[Benjy_26]

Hello all.

I'm still putzing around with my MIJ Floyd Rose Strat. It's a fun guitar for sure, but I'm starting to worry about the back of rhe neck. The finish on this guitar looks extremely similar to my other MIJ Fenders for the moat part, but I think that the previous owner tried to sand/steel wool the back of the neck on this guitar. It feels *ok* (I'm not used tot naked maple necks) but I worry that the gunk on my hands will collect in the pores of the wood and possibly damage/deteriorate the neck.

Should I apply some kind of finish? How should I go about this. I've seen Mincer recommend gun stock wax for maple necks and this interests me. Should I try to remove some of the gunk on the back of the neck before applying? If I do, how would I go about cleaning it up?

Thanks in advance.

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[jeremy]

honestly i wouldnt worry about it, but if you wanna put any finish on you wanna clean the back of the neck first

 

[Mincer]

You can use Murphy's Oil Soap to clean the neck, and then rub on Gunstock wax, like Music Man does. You have to do it every year, but the feel is worth it.

 

[Benjy_26]

You can use Murphy's Oil Soap to clean the neck, and then rub on Gunstock wax, like Music Man does. You have to do it every year, but the feel is worth it.

I just might do that. I realize that this guitar wasn't exactly babied by whoever had it before me, but having it be this beat sort of bothers me.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Gun wax feels great under your hand. I love the MusicMan necks that are done with oil & wax.

If you really want an actual finish you could spray it with matte clearcoat (or gloss, if you prefer).
In that case, you'll want clean it well with acetone first, to get any gunk and oils off.

 

[ICTGoober]

Scotchbrite the crap out of the neck to get the finger funk off, and then wipe with TruOil, Watco Oil, or something similar. Follow the directions on the bottle. I assume you know how to operate a rag?

 

[GuitarStv]

While the fretboard is a crap magnet, the back of the neck doesn't attract enough gunk for there to be a problem. Just play it and enjoy.

 

[Benjy_26]

Scotchbrite the crap out of the neck to get the finger funk off, and then wipe with TruOil, Watco Oil, or something similar. Follow the directions on the bottle. I assume you know how to operate a rag?

I have a Master's in Ragology, Sir.

 

[1neeto]

Don’t worry about it. Just give it a wipe after you play it. Guitars are meant to be played, not babied.


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[JB_From_Hell]

I use a really light coat of tung oil, then Burt’s Beeswax. The result is just like the Music Man necks, and feels awesome.

 

[Benjy_26]

I use a really light coat of tung oil, then Burt’s Beeswax. The result is just like the Music Man necks, and feels awesome.

Burt's Beeswax? Like the stuff folks put on their lips?

 

[Clint 55]

The wood being exposed and getting dirty won't hurt anything. But if you want to make it look and feel nice you can rough sand through the dirt and what looks like the oil finish with sandpaper or scotch brite. That will get you to clean wood and then you can fine sand it and then apply your oil.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Burt's Beeswax? Like the stuff folks put on their lips?

Oops, not Burt's, Howard's Feed & Wax beeswax

 

[ICTGoober]

Howard - no S. I love the stuff.

 

[Benjy_26]

Nice. I'll look into the gunstock wax and the Howard's.

 

[NegativeEase]

Scotchbrite the crap out of the neck to get the finger funk off, and then wipe with TruOil, Watco Oil, or something similar. Follow the directions on the bottle. I assume you know how to operate a rag?

This,... or Steel Wool :lmao:

I always remove gunk and some of tacky finish of the back of necks -play so much smoother.

 

[ICTGoober]

I know you love me.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Keep in mind that sanding (or Scotchbrite) is going to remove some wood so do as little as needed just to "open up" the pores. Use naphtha or Murphy's (don't use acetone unless you're extremely careful not to get any on your finish) to clean off the gunk. Then apply the finish of your choice.

 

[Benjy_26]

Keep in mind that sanding (or Scotchbrite) is going to remove some wood so do as little as needed just to "open up" the pores. Use naphtha or Murphy's (don't use acetone unless you're extremely careful not to get any on your finish) to clean off the gunk. Then apply the finish of your choice.

Will do! Thanks!

 

[NegativeEase]

Steel Wool jokes aside (I personally love steel wool and so does ICT's luthier hero Mark Erlewine) -as much as it kills him.

If your neck has any reflection from gloss or semi gloss suggest you clean and then knock it down slightly with something...

and even knocking down a matte finish slightly makes for better playing.

It will play soooooooo much nicer