Removing the Finish from the Back of a Neck

[SabbathFan0220]

There was a thread about this not too long ago, but I can't find it. Feel free to post a link.

I'm thinking of doing this to my Gibson SG Special. It's the only guitar I own with a gloss nitro finish and I just don't get along with it. It feels sticky all the time. It plays smooth for maybe half an hour after I clean and polish it, and then it starts to gum up again. "Sticky" probably isn't the right word...maybe "tacky." I've been doing fine with my gloss poly necks, they don't seem to get so much drag.

Either way, I was thinking of sanding it down and then giving the wood one or two coats of Tru-Oil. I'm open to advice/comments/alternatives at this point.

I decided, in terms of feel, my neck finish preferences are:
Bare wood > oil finish > satin poly > satin nitro > gloss poly > gloss nitro.

 

[Kam]

Re: Removing the Finish from the Back of a Neck

Try just rubbing the neck down with wire wool to take off the top layers of finish. It'll give it that 'played in' feel but it's not as extreme as sanding the whole neck down.

 

[Jessie's ghost]

Re: Removing the Finish from the Back of a Neck

That's "steel wool" to us Yankees.

 

[Kam]

Re: Removing the Finish from the Back of a Neck

Yeah, I know, but I like alliteration.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Removing the Finish from the Back of a Neck

I took almost all the finish off the neck of my telecaster.

pro: more resonance, smoooth feel.

con: it's a pretty serious mod that will kill resale value.

have fun.

edit:

sandpaper.

I started at 220 grit and went...

220-320-400-600-800-1000-1500-2000

I sealed it with Lemon Oil.

 

[Christopher Caruana]

Re: Removing the Finish from the Back of a Neck

I know what you mean about the neck feeling sticky. I have the same problem with my gibson les paul classic. When you first pick it up, it plays smooth. After a little bit, it does get really sticky feeling.

 

[SabbathFan0220]

Re: Removing the Finish from the Back of a Neck

That's true, I could start with steel wool or really fine sandpaper and see where that gets me. I'm trying to figure out how to tape off the headstock. Something like this maybe?

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Removing the Finish from the Back of a Neck

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=157169

 

[SabbathFan0220]

Re: Removing the Finish from the Back of a Neck

Well, I taped it off and gave it a good roughing up with 800 grit (wet). It's definitely a big improvement. I may play it like this for a little while and see if I want to go any further.

The 800 grit left a bunch of sanding swirls, but if I go finer than 1000 I think it'll just buff out again with play.

 

[SabbathFan0220]

Re: Removing the Finish from the Back of a Neck

Okay I just played it for...a while. I think I'm going to leave it leave it like this. I'd like if it looked a little more professional, but I can't be too fussy when it plays so well.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Removing the Finish from the Back of a Neck

That actually looks pretty good. You could take the grit up to remove the swirls if you want, and still have a dull shine.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Removing the Finish from the Back of a Neck

That actually looks pretty good. You could take the grit up to remove the swirls if you want, and still have a dull shine.

I'd actually recommend it.

 

[SabbathFan0220]

Re: Removing the Finish from the Back of a Neck

Thanks guys. I was worried if I went too high with the grit, I'd end up almost polishing it. I know when I get up above 1500ish I start to see a shine again, which is what I'm trying to avoid.

 

[Kam]

Re: Removing the Finish from the Back of a Neck

That looks professional enough to me, man. But then I'm a punk. :alcoholic

More importantly, let's get some more pictures of that SG up in here! She looks like a wee beaut. :flowers1:

 

[PoorMan]

Re: Removing the Finish from the Back of a Neck

Looks like you did a great job to me.

 

[sosomething]

Re: Removing the Finish from the Back of a Neck

I sealed it with Lemon Oil.

No you didn't, because lemon oil isn't a sealer.

In most cases, it's little more than lemon-scented lighter fluid.

You need an actual varnish or lacquer to seal wood. Something like Tung Oil or boiled linseed oil.

It still has that raw feel but will actually forestall moisture exchange.

 

[SabbathFan0220]

Re: Removing the Finish from the Back of a Neck

Thanks guys. I'll take some more pics today at some point.

 

[SabbathFan0220]

Re: Removing the Finish from the Back of a Neck

More importantly, let's get some more pictures of that SG up in here! She looks like a wee beaut. :flowers1:

Excuse the low light, it's the best I could do without any sun. Those of you with a keen eye will notice the jack is side mounted and the control cavity is larger. This SG used to be a robot model. I found it on Ebay with the all the hardware and electronics removed...I assume the robot functions failed. Cost me $400 and it's mint. It's got the '59/C5 combo in there now.

 

[Kam]

Re: Removing the Finish from the Back of a Neck

That's a beauty, man. And great choice of pickups too. A '59 and a C5 slay in an SG. You should drop an A8 in that Custom, though. :friday:

 

[SabbathFan0220]

Re: Removing the Finish from the Back of a Neck

Thanks, Kam. I actually have another guitar with a '59/C8, so I was leaving this one a little more vintage-voiced.