Aw, man... I think I just voided the warranty!!!
 

So, I've had this '08 Fender 70's Classic Jazz, since new. It's been my main squeeze since the day I got it. I mainly like the thickness of its neck and the classic Jazz Bass tone. But a few weeks ago, I picked up a Yamaha BB424X. I just fell in love with the almost unfinished feel of its neck. I've been playing the 424 just about every day since. Great, great bass.

Well, I picked up the Jazz to run through a practice and I immediately noticed that I didn't like the feel of its neck anymore. It's plenty fat the way it was before, but the back didn't feel as comfy as the Yammy.

So I did it. I voided the warranty.

Spent about 10 min. with a 220-grit...sanding. I'm not really too worried about the warranty, since there's about zero humidity here. But now, I don't know when my other finished-neck basses will get played, unless I sand theirs, too. I'm not too worried about any devaluing, since I don't have any real expensive stuff...well, except for my '80 Ric 4001. I might not really jack with that one, although its already got a Hipshot bridge, Ric replacement keywinds, and StrapLocks. But then again...I might.

Anybody else void theirs?

As a recovering amp and instrument modifier, warranties mean nothing to me. If it breaks, I'm the one who broke it, and I'm the one who will fix it.

I wouldn't call it voiding a warranty, but yes. I knock down glossy finished necks with #0000 steel wool until it's more of a satin feel. After a fair amount of playing it usually goes back to a glossy feel only to get hit with the steel wool again.

Heh. Had a satin finish on the neck of my 2002 Precision. Thought it novel.

10+ years later, it's worn smooth & glossy.

Coated glossy necks are a detriment to best playing eaze. they allways have a sense of draggynes to them.

I doubt the warranty on a five years old bass is still in force. I wouldn't worry about it.

I don't understand why you guys are sanding on your necks. Are you dragging your whole hand down the damn thing or just your thumb?

+1

Actually, Fenders (US, MiM, CiJ, and China) are warranted for lifetime, but it's a pretty restrictive warranty.

http://support.fender.com/warranty/F...-2001_revC.pdf

Squiers are warranted for one year.

http://support.fender.com/warranty/S..._1-98_revB.pdf

Bob.

+1 I'm curious about that also I must be missing something?

I did this to my Road Worn P last week. It was already a bit worn, but I love the feel of a super worn in neck.

To the ones wondering about technique, I play my bass fairly low and I have pretty bad left hand technique. My thumb is almost always hanging over the top of the neck lol, so yes, I do drag my hand down the neck.

I guess I am dragging my whole hand. I tend to like big, fat, baseball-bat necks that kinda conform to and fill the space between my palm and my fingers. I didn't realize how wrong I was. Is it too late to learn the right way? :hmm:

I once had a beautiful Ibby BTB 5er, but the neck was so thin, that the only way I could play it was to hold my thumb in the place where my palm goes. It was a dealbreaker, despite how nice the bass was made (and sounded). I wound up getting a fat-necked Jazz V.

It's never too late. I expect your span will increase greatly once you untether your hand from the neck. I would imagine anyway.

My thumb is the only part of my hand touching the back of my neck, and I still prefer a satin neck. Less stick & more slide.

The problem with a glossy neck is variable drag. Hands nice and dry with low humidity - great. Hands sweaty and/or high humidity - not so much.

A satin or oil finish seems to smooth this variable out - and make your playing more consistent and problem free - (YMMV). [if you are dragging your whole hand down the damn thing or just your thumb.]


(And here is something else to just blow off - the 2012 AmStd Fenders got a new neck treatment {and I'm hoping the 2013's too} --- that is simply amazing. If you try one you won't have any questions)

:cool:

Never had any issues, regardless of heat, humidity or whatever. You don't grab it like it's your **** man, lighten up a little.

Just the thumb.

For me, a satin or unfinished neck feels much better than any gloss neck.

I get that. Personal preference and everything. Would you actually take a piece of sandpaper or 0000 to your neck though? :eyebrow:

Easier to just sand your thumb. lol

I hear pineapple juice does the trick!