Fender MIM Neck Problem

[rodgersk24]

Hello,

I have a Fender P Bass Special that I got at a pawn shop, and I've been repairing it back to a reliable state. I've rewired everything, new pots, wires, and jack, but now I'm having problems with the neck.

It's a gloss finish, which I don't really like, so my first question is: is there a way to make this a satin finish, or is there a way to strip it and refinish it? If so, any recommendations on materials?

Also, it feels like there is some dried excess glue on the neck. Pardon my ignorance as to the correct terms, but the "stripe" down the back of the neck? It feels like there is glue that came out of it, like there was too much when the "stripe" was put in and the excess wasn't wiped away, and now it's dried and the neck isn't smooth. The glue is right on the seam of that "stripe", and is present for about half the length of the neck, from the headstock end to the middle. It's very annoying, but doesn't affect the playability of the bass. Any tips on fixing this?

Thanks in advance, I really appreciate any help I can get!

Kyle

[atheos]

You can sand the back of the neck carefully using very fine sanding paper (around 800 I think). But you don't want to strip it down to the wood.

[scottbass]

That stripe is known to us afficiondos as the "skunk stripe".

The answer to all your questions is steel wool and more steel wool. And lots of elbow grease. There are different grades of steel wool, roughly anomalous to different grits of sandpaper. I think you want 000 or 0000 steel wool.

The more you rub the back of the neck with the steel wool, the more "satin-y" the finish will get. It should also remove the excess glue - unless you have big drips of the stuff. In that case I would trim it as much as possible with a razor blade (or Xacto knife) and then start with the steel wool.

Some folks actually sand the finish off the backs of the necks and replace it with an oil finish or a wax finish. I never liked this approach, but YMMV.

[rodgersk24]

Thanks, I really appreciate it! I bought some 000 steel wool and have been working on the back of the neck for a while now, only to find that under the glue is pits in the neck, so I can't sand those out... but at least it's a LOT better than it was...

Just out of curiosity, is there ANY way to sand the neck down to the wood and refinish it in a satin finish? Or is this something that only a professional can do?

Thanks again for the help!!

Kyle