How to smooth out guitar neck?

[Chris Pile]

Re: How to smooth out guitar neck?

After I level and crown the frets (I use multiple files), I then sand the frets with 3 grits of sandpaper for a nice shine. For a chrome look, I use a thick piece of cowhide (smooth side down) with a bit of white Meguiars compound.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: How to smooth out guitar neck?

Cool, thanks guys.

I need to pickup a cheap used Squier to learn fret leveling and dressing on.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: How to smooth out guitar neck?

If you have Facebook you can check out Facebook Marketplace to find cheap beginner guitars that belonged to beginners who gave up on guitars.

 

[chadd]

Re: How to smooth out guitar neck?

Yes, I know it is a promod, hence my comment

Three turns is a problem. I would back the rod completely off until someone looks at it.

Chadd, no tech worth anything would ever use steel wool. Find a new one if yours does. The steel fibers can cause all kinds of problems and there is no reason to use it over scuff pads

Well, the techs in question have worked on guitars for multiple Hall of Fame acts. I do 99% of my own work, and have since I was a kid, but I'm always looking to learn more. In my experience, the scuff pads I've used haven't produced the same results and I have never had an issue with fibers. I understand where you're coming from on a theoretical level, but it hasn't been an issue in reality for me. Others could easily have a different experience, that's why I rarely speak in absolutes.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: How to smooth out guitar neck?

Well, the techs in question have worked on guitars for multiple Hall of Fame acts. I do 99% of my own work, and have since I was a kid, but I'm always looking to learn more. In my experience, the scuff pads I've used haven't produced the same results and I have never had an issue with fibers. I understand where you're coming from on a theoretical level, but it hasn't been an issue in reality for me. Others could easily have a different experience, that's why I rarely speak in absolutes.

All I am saying is why take a chance if you can get the same results with scuff pads? They come in various degrees of coarseness, and you can have no concerns. Steel wool gets into all the wrong places and is hell to try and get out of bench carpet.

On a side note, I had a "famous tech" do some work for me on an acoustic guitar. This person was recommended to me and worked as a touring tech for a few well-known recording artists. The work was amateurish beyond unsatisfactory. My point is the proof of the pudding is in the tasting, and not in the talking. Just because someone works for "so and so" does not make them the authority on what may be the best methods. I like to think that is someone has a better way, then, by all means, convince me.

I have no shame when it comes to stealing others methods.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: How to smooth out guitar neck?

Cool, thanks guys.

I need to pickup a cheap used Squier to learn fret leveling and dressing on.

Pick up one of those $25 necks off Amazon
If it don't work out , oh well
If you like it swap it to one of yer bodies

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: How to smooth out guitar neck?

My approach to sticky necks is less invasive than sanding. I've done this with my NCL finished Gibsons and gloss poly finished G&Ls.

I go over the neck with Virtuoso Cleaner, using a fair amount on a soft cloth...terry, microfiber or tee shirt. I rub it in good and let it sit for about twenty minutes before buffing it off. Then I repeat.

I then go over the neck with the Virtuoso POLISH, again using a clean soft cloth, and rubbing it in well. Again, I let it sit for about twenty minutes before buffing it off.

The Virtuoso seems to actually harden the lacquer and remove the stickiness, morever it has not returned.

This has been really effective, and certainly will not affect any resale value, where a sanded neck may decrease the value of a guitar.

Bill

 

[texred]

Re: How to smooth out guitar neck?

Oooh boy.

 

[texred]

Re: How to smooth out guitar neck?

Pick up one of those $25 necks off Amazon
If it don't work out , oh well
If you like it swap it to one of yer bodies

That's what I was gonna do with mine, but you can have it for $29,999.

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: How to smooth out guitar neck?

It's not vintage, it's 2011 MIJ Pro Mod.

Yes, 3 full turns, probably more, and I am not exaggerating. First it had 11s, then I changed it to 10s.

The rod isn't broken cause I could feel tension when turning it, and the neck actually managed to stay straight for 3-4 days. Then the problem surfaced again.

I've given up on it totally. Some of the frets are sticking out along the edge. Maybe it's just permanently bad wood to the bone?

I had that issue with a Strat; a tech was able to heat and clamp the neck straight.

Also I am the only person in the world apparently who *likes* shiny neck finishes.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: How to smooth out guitar neck?

It's the lotions
It's all about the lotions