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

[Engine207]

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?

[Steve Dallman]

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.

[bassgod0dmw]

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.

[P. Aaron]

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

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

[darkstorm]

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

[DeanT]

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

[Floyd Eye]

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?

[rfslick]

+1

[Bobster]

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.

[mjac28]

Originally Posted by Floyd Eye

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

[thedudebrah]

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.

[Engine207]

Originally Posted by Floyd Eye

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?

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?

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.

[Floyd Eye]

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

[awilkie84]

Originally Posted by Floyd Eye

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?

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.

[SolarMan]

Originally Posted by Floyd Eye

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?

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)

[Floyd Eye]

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

[bassgod0dmw]

Originally Posted by Floyd Eye

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?

Just the thumb.

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

[Floyd Eye]

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

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?

[Floyd Eye]

Easier to just sand your thumb. lol

[SolarMan]

Originally Posted by Floyd Eye

Easier to just sand your thumb. lol

I hear pineapple juice does the trick!