Instant Fast Neck, is it safe?

[Dronoxx]

Hi there, before you folks shout troll given my lack of posts, know that this is actually a legitimate question / idea. I've been playing bass for about 5 years, graduating from the squiers to the gsr Ibanez models to my current Spector legend 4. One thing that has always bugged me was the neck speed on these, as the poly (i think) finish is pretty much like a non skid pad from hell.

Out of the blue one day a few months ago, I wrapped my fretting thumb in standard scotch tape and everything is much, much smoother with seemingly no resistance when i try to cycle around the fretboard.

Has anyone ever done this before with good results? Would the scotch tape (non tacky side) have any potential to damage the bass? Am I delusional?

Respectfully yours
-dan (the accountless TB reader of 2 years who finally caved)

[Dave Muscato]

Usually, the answer is to sand off the finish on the back of the neck. Ed Roman refers to this as the "1500 G" modification, aka 1500 grit sandpaper.

Interesting idea... I've used scotch tape on my right-hand fingertips for upright, but I prefer superglue. Hmm... I might have to try that.

[steve66]

how about a good coat of quality wood wax. you can get it in spray form. Spray some on a soft terrycolth and wipe the back of the neck

I read that Jaco Patorius used chicken grease on his fingers when he played. Must of been hell to clean

[lemur821]

Maybe you could cut the thumb off one of those stretchy gloves and wear that. I can't think of a problem with the tape, but I wouldn't want to wrap my finger with it every time I played.

[Dronoxx]

good point with the glove thing

[enim]

Been there, done that with the glove thing.

It was alright, but i felt it made my left hand feel out of control, like it was sliding around the neck TOO much. I like my grip on the neck.

FWIW, i was using one of the stretchy, winter gloves, with the four fingers cut off at the first knuckle. It was like, 42 degrees F in our rehersal space....

[lemur821]

Originally Posted by enim

Been there, done that with the glove thing.

It was alright, but i felt it made my left hand feel out of control, like it was sliding around the neck TOO much. I like my grip on the neck.

I was suggesting wearing only the thumb, but I think I'd feel the same.

When I shift I generally take my thumb off the neck entirely.

[zazz]

Originally Posted by steve66

I read that Jaco Patorius used chicken grease on his fingers when he played. Must of been hell to clean

...an old wives tale..not true.

[rebelbass]

I injured my left thumb,need to keep it covered. Most tape,the gooey stuff leaks out when heat/pressure (aka playing) is applied. You could use one of those spray on polish/neck lube products. Or good old nose grease! Just whipe your fingers on yer beezer right before playing. Before you laugh;A lot of guys do this,it works!

[morf]

Originally Posted by Dronoxx

Hi there, before you folks shout troll given my lack of posts, know that this is actually a legitimate question / idea. I've been playing bass for about 5 years, graduating from the squiers to the gsr Ibanez models to my current Spector legend 4. One thing that has always bugged me was the neck speed on these, as the poly (i think) finish is pretty much like a non skid pad from hell.

Out of the blue one day a few months ago, I wrapped my fretting thumb in standard scotch tape and everything is much, much smoother with seemingly no resistance when i try to cycle around the fretboard.

Has anyone ever done this before with good results? Would the scotch tape (non tacky side) have any potential to damage the bass? Am I delusional?

Respectfully yours
-dan (the accountless TB reader of 2 years who finally caved)

sounds like a quite ingenius idea, will have to try that out.

[Bassist4Life]

Originally Posted by Dronoxx

Has anyone ever done this before with good results? Would the scotch tape (non tacky side) have any potential to damage the bass? Am I delusional?

Respectfully yours
-dan (the accountless TB reader of 2 years who finally caved)

Are you saying that you want to laminate the neck of your bass with scotch tape????

I wouldn't do that. You can if you want, but I don't think you'll be able to get it all off later on. That stuff is weird. I'm an orchestra director in a public school and I've seen kids use that stuff to make fingerboard tapes. They wrap it all around the neck and fingerboard. The tape will come off the ebony fingerboard (sometimes), but it doesn't like to come off the neck. I think it will come of with some powerful solvent and, but that will take off more than the tape.

I would take it to a luthier and have him do whatever he/she does to solve your problem.

Joe

[Bassist4Life]

Oh, I'm sorry. I guess I read your post too fast.

You don't want to laminate your neck. You want to laminate your fingers each time you play.

Um, No.

Joe

[ulrich]

My Peavey Patriot had the same problem. I lightly scuffed the neck with 600 grit sand paper. Not enough to take of much finish; just enough to take it from glossy to matte. I don't know what I've done to resale value, but it sure plays nice.