Strat Necks. Satin and Gloss. Please help

[Jpodesz]

Hi, I’ve played two American Strats ‘94 and ‘99 and was told they were satin necks (please verify) and after years of playing I’ve given them a light gloss from the use. Would I want to order a new satin neck, play it a lot and possibly have my luthier put a light gloss on…..or just go with a glossy neck? Thanks!

 

[jeremy]

whats wrong with the current necks?

 

[Top-L]

Necks that start out satin, IME, will become "glossy" as the hand polishes them over time, picks up oil from the hand, or perhaps changes chemically over time.

If you want a previously satin neck that "glossed" over time, to be faster and have a satin feel, you might consider light sandpaper treatment. I have done this on several of mine and it produces the desired effect.

You might be able to produce the opposite affect by polishing/waxing a neck to a high lustre if you are looking for that glossy feel.

 

[Mincer]

I am also confused. Is the current neck not working, or do you not like the way it feels?

 

[Jpodesz]

Sorry, what I meant to say was that I’m ordering a Warmoth Strat neck. I’ve got the option to go with Satin or Gloss. Just wondering, would it make more sense to get Satin and try to play it/ have a luthier add a light gloss (or something along those lines) or go with gloss? Either won’t feel just like these do, but which route would you go?

 

[treyhaislip]

If you are just wanting that satin feel back, look up burnishing a neck with steel wool or sandpaper (or both starting with steel wool and then working up from roughly 2-400 grit up to 4,000 grit.)

EDIT:

Sorry, what I meant to say was that I’m ordering a Warmoth Strat neck. I’ve got the option to go with Satin or Gloss. Just wondering, would it make more sense to get Satin and try to play it/ have a luthier add a light gloss (or something along those lines) or go with gloss? Either won’t feel just like these do, but which route would you go?

Satin would be my suggestion for the finish options from Warmoth...but I would also recommend the burnish process above as a great way to get a fast playing neck that sweat won't gunk up on you/won't become "glossy" as you play.

 

[Mincer]

Sorry, what I meant to say was that I’m ordering a Warmoth Strat neck. I’ve got the option to go with Satin or Gloss. Just wondering, would it make more sense to get Satin and try to play it/ have a luthier add a light gloss (or something along those lines) or go with gloss? Either won’t feel just like these do, but which route would you go?

I love the feel of their satin necks. I also have 2 Strat necks that are raw: one is wenge, and the other is roasted maple, and neither require a finish. Those are the ones I like the best (and they look the best, too).

 

[GuitarDoc]

It doesn't matter a lot, but if you more prefer the feel of a satin neck then by all means get the satin. If you later want it more glossy you don't need to have a luthier put a gloss finish on it, just polish it yourself. If you get a glossy neck but decide you want it satin, you can just very lightly sand it with 400-600 grit sandpaper.

 

[GuitarStv]

In my experience, satin necks feel better initially (less sticky). Over time they'll polish up to a glossy look but never seem to get quite as sticky feeling as gloss necks. Gloss necks start out feeling pretty sticky, but over time as you play them they seem to get less so (I'm guessing that the same hand rubbing process that shines up the satin tends to dull down the gloss a bit). If this process is going to slow just lightly go over it with some high grit sandpaper and you'll get a less sticky satin feel right away.

I wouldn't stress this. In the end you're going to end up with a decent feeling kinda glossy neck to matter what you pick.

 

[ICTGoober]

Just use a bit of maroon Scotchbrite on the back of the neck using light pressure to remove gloss. It doesn't take much to improve the feel.

 

[GuitarDoc]

In my experience, satin necks feel better initially (less sticky). Over time they'll polish up to a glossy look but never seem to get quite as sticky feeling as gloss necks. Gloss necks start out feeling pretty sticky, but over time as you play them they seem to get less so (I'm guessing that the same hand rubbing process that shines up the satin tends to dull down the gloss a bit). If this process is going to slow just lightly go over it with some high grit sandpaper and you'll get a less sticky satin feel right away.

I wouldn't stress this. In the end you're going to end up with a decent feeling kinda glossy neck to matter what you pick.

^ +1

 

[esandes]

I hate gloss. Satin all the way. Gloss is sticky/binding with sweaty hands. Satin is smooth all of the time.

my satin necks never got glossy. Take some fine grit sandpaper to a glossy neck for the satin feel.

 

[Clint 55]

If you prefer the glossed over feel of your current necks, I guess you should go with gloss. You could always knock it down some if you needed to with ether scotch brite or fine sandpaper.

Go with whichever one you prefer more.

It would be less work to go from gloss to satin than vice versa.

Some good advice on here.