Sanding Down The Neck

clmjlg · #1 05-26-2009, 09:13 AM

So i have a 78 fender jazz bass that has a killer tone. The only problem is that the finish on the back of the neck is i guess thick or sticky. Basically it cause my palm to stick to it and makes sliding up the neck while playing hard. This obviously slows me up quiet a bit. I was told i could use find sand paper to help solve the problem. Is this true and if so what sand paper should i use?

bobunit · #2 05-26-2009, 09:31 AM

You certainly could use sand paper to satin finish the neck. I would recommend a a quality paper such as 3M or Norton in 1000 or 1200 grit. You could also try a steel wool (0000 grade). Take your time.

HogieWan · #3 05-26-2009, 09:41 AM

Someone took the orange finish off of an SX neck with Citristrip with great results.

No sanding = no loss of wood

WarriorJoe7 · #4 05-26-2009, 10:05 AM

you dont want to strip ALL of the finish though. You are asking for a warped neck if you do (atleast for a maple neck)

OldBluesGuy · #5 05-26-2009, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HogieWan

Someone took the orange finish off of an SX neck with Citristrip with great results.

No sanding = no loss of wood

I don't know if you were referring to me or not, but I've done exactly that very successfully and I refinished the neck with a satin finish wipe-on polyurethane. The neck feels extremely smooth with absolutely no stickiness. I sanded out the poly with 400 --> 800 --> 1000 --> 1200 and then 0000 white scotch brite. My thread on this is here.

obg

Zooberwerx · #6 05-26-2009, 10:08 AM

I would first try de-glossing it with #0000 steel wool and then give it a go. What's the finish, nitro or poly? Reason I'm asking is that I've gotten different results from both.

Riis

clmjlg · #7 05-26-2009, 11:29 AM

I'm not really sure about the finish. I think it's poly though.

Zooberwerx · #8 05-26-2009, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clmjlg

I'm not really sure about the finish. I think it's poly though.

You should be okay. I'd mask off the headstock so there's a clear delineation between the gloss and de-glossed surfaces. MusicMan does the same thing in terms of appearance.

Riis

Bassamatic · #9 05-26-2009, 11:41 AM

Yes - #0000 steel wool is the best way to de-gloss the neck without hurting it. It helps tremendously. I automatically do this on nearly every neck I get.

Pilgrim · #10 05-26-2009, 02:16 PM

Isn't it about time someone collected these "sanding the neck" threads and made a sticky? Seems like this pops up about every 72 hours recently....maybe the problem occurs more with hot weather.