How to patina a new maple neck?

disturb

disturb

New member
I have a new sealed maple neck that has that brand-new, pale, maple look. I hate that 'just-cut' look. Is there anyway to help it get that golden, aged, patina. How about rubbing with linseed, or other oils? Will they penetrate due to the sealer? Brown shoe polish, maybe? I don't want to stain it or anything, just take the 'new' off of it. Any help out there?
 
Re: How to patina a new maple neck?

If its sealed I don't think rubbing any oils or stains will help.

Try leaving it in direct sunlight for several days. Or play the heck out of it for the next 3 years.
 
Re: How to patina a new maple neck?

Tru Oil will add a very slight tint to it, or you can tint it with some light brown shoe polish. I have finished several raw maple necks with just Tru Oil, and have been pleased with the results.
 
Re: How to patina a new maple neck?

Smoke it.

Buy a few dozen packs of ciggs, hang the neck over 'em... and let 'em burn.

That'll yellow it up.

Otherwise you can play the hell out of it or strip it & refin...
 
Re: How to patina a new maple neck?

i have a 1999 MIM strat i leave on a stand in my room... it has taken 5 years or so but it's neck finnish is getting close to that of a vintage reissue tint... compared to my 1994 MIM strat that i never use it's a golden tint!!! my 1994 still looks like a clear finnish..

i figure within a few years it will age really nice...

but becareful what you rub on that neck if you try various forums of aging... it will leave residue and your hands will get dirter... I'd avoid the smoke idea... i have a 1988 American strat that was owned by a real heavy smoker and 6-7 years later i still can't get that smell out of it... That guitar has seen hell and back, every time i play it my hands smell of smoke... and i washed it and polished the hell out of it!!!! i've been storing it in another case but the one that came with it stinks of smoke too and my 87 Charvel i stored in it stinks now too! It's The BEAST!!!

what type of neck is it? maybe a slight respray with some tinted poly could help...
 
Re: How to patina a new maple neck?

Put in a window facing the sun, for the summer. The sunshine will tint it, if you can wait.
 
Re: How to patina a new maple neck?

its weird how people are so different, I hate that yellowed maple look, but LOVE the fresh cut, white as a ghost maple fretboard.. Its so sexy.
 
Re: How to patina a new maple neck?

I haven't wiped my Strat down since I got it-not fond of the "fresh off the tree" look myself really. The board is kinda black now, but I sure as heck it would age quick :D

That said, some of the fake "aged" maple necks look horrible- almost orange.

I love staring at Malmsteen's old red 56 strat with the maple board- now THATs a relic job :bigthumb:
 
Re: How to patina a new maple neck?

JeffB said:
I haven't wiped my Strat down since I got it-not fond of the "fresh off the tree" look myself really. The board is kinda black now, but I sure as heck it would age quick :D

That said, some of the fake "aged" maple necks look horrible- almost orange.

I love staring at Malmsteen's old red 56 strat with the maple board- now THATs a relic job :bigthumb:
Click to expand...

My Warmoth neck from 1995 had a Nitro spray done with a Vintage tint dye... oddly it looks off now.. it looks way too dark and not enough yellow...

My 1999 MIM strat i hang on a wall or on a stand in my room is the same colour as your new MIM in your signature... for 5 years on a stand it is aging nicely!!! sure i take a chance of damaging it on a stand but it is a MIM strat...
 
Re: How to patina a new maple neck?

WhoFan said:
My Warmoth neck from 1995 had a Nitro spray done with a Vintage tint dye... oddly it looks off now.. it looks way too dark and not enough yellow...

My 1999 MIM strat i hang on a wall or on a stand in my room is the same colour as your new MIM in your signature... for 5 years on a stand it is aging nicely!!! sure i take a chance of damaging it on a stand but it is a MIM strat...
Click to expand...


Mine stays on a stand as well-

5 years? sigh...I'm afraid I'm too impatient for that :laugh2:
 
Re: How to patina a new maple neck?

JeffB said:
Mine stays on a stand as well-

5 years? sigh...I'm afraid I'm too impatient for that :laugh2:
Click to expand...

it's amazing how fast 5 years go... but you seem to change axes quite often don't you....

i was looking at my MIM's neck tonight... man it really is close to vintage reissue shade... not quite but close... my plan is to add a Mint guard and change the PU covers to cream in the future... but so far i find it hard to spend money on this cheapie... it was like $199 used in the early 2000's.... i try to use as is and use it a lot... i have way better axes but i use this thing almost 100% these days

my MIM strat has not seen a lot of sun light... my shades in my room have been pulled down for years as i'm a shift worker and used to sleeping during the day... so the only light rays it really gets is from cracks in the shade and my flourescent light blubs... my work has changed my hours around so i'll be home more in the afternoons with shades up during day light hours much more often.... that may help.... I avoid direct sunlight as that can shrink plastic parts
 
Re: How to patina a new maple neck?

Indirect sunlight is super safe compared to direct sunlight ( don't want it to warp ) will take about 18 months to golden it up.
 
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