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

[C.Linton]

Originally Posted by darkstorm

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

Maybe to you, I've never had that poblem.

[Rip Topaz]

Same here. I used to sand the back of my necks, but eventually realized that I wasn't really doing it because of anything it did for me, but because of the hype. After I started playing for myself, I stopped following trends and only make mods that are useful for ME.

Sanding necks doesn't really help (or impair) me, so I don't bother.

[uOpt]

I like gloss paint.

Of course it shouldn't be sticky gloss like some improperly cured Gibsons have or some thick poly things.

[pacojas]

bare wood neck for me!

[spade2you]

Originally Posted by C.Linton

Maybe to you, I've never had that poblem.

A lot of the problem is that many guitarists and bassists play with such a death grip on the neck. Gripping the neck with the thumb wrapped around the neck means there's a lot more surface contact with the neck. With proper* technique, only a small amount of thumb is in contact with the neck and the added drag is miniscule.

*yeah, musicans hate suggesting it's their technique. We are all delicate snowflakes.

[PotsdamBass8]

I have nothing against suggesting that technique is a problem, I think that MOST guitarists and bassists have technique issues. It's because those instruments, more than others, are learned informally and without proper lessons.

I take issue with suggesting that it's ONLY an issue with technique, and can't simply be a preference. If you're hand is in contact with the neck, and you prefer one finish over the other, then you're more likely to be distracted by that when you play.

[two fingers]

Yep. Wrapping your thumb around the neck..... it just ruins your technique. It's just not "proper". No one should ever do it. You will never make it big or influence anyone that way.

[two fingers]

In fact, I would argue that anyone who wraps his thumb around the neck (you know..... improperly) is nothing more than a hack.


Wouldn't you agree? Totally improper. Not to be tolerated. A rookie move indeed.

[FretlessMainly]

Originally Posted by Floyd Eye

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

I use 600 grit followed by 0000 steel wool and a bit of dark tung oil. I contact the neck just tip-side of the thumb joint and at the intersection of my index finger and palm.

[spade2you]

As much as I like Geddy Lee, his playing would give most mortals tendinitis.

The same Victor Wooten who is playing like this?

[two fingers]

Sure, he plays a lot of ways. But one of those ways is to wrap his thumb around the neck. It was implied earlier that doing it that way is "wrong". Just sayin. By the way, I don't wrap mine. But I don't see it as wrong either. These guys (did you notice Jimmie and Jack as well) seem to make it work.

[spade2you]

There were also guys who I grew up with telling me that ear plugs were for wimps.

They're YOUR hands, but tendon or nerve issues, being able to only play certain neck shapes, and being restricted by neck finishes sounds like a disadvantage to me. I like to be able to grab any guitar or bass and feel at home, thick or thin neck shape, any finish, etc.

[kcole4001]

I knock the gloss off with 600 grit wet paper.
I have to re-sand it after it gets polished by my thumb, but not too often.

It doesn't hurt the value because you can buff it out any time you want.

As far as thumb wrapping, when it feels right, I do it.
Certainly not all the time, though.

[bassgod0dmw]

This thread makes me laugh.

[seanm]

I like to sand the necks with 400. Makes them very very smooth.

[Floyd Eye]

Originally Posted by SolarMan

Floyd Eye,

Dude, you have made my night! And I'm not kidding.

Your Avatar? Kicks ass. Period.

Your "title" - Registered Loser - (Which, you clearly are not) - Seriously makes me LOL!

and this response is classic:



and this is even better:



I would like your permission to make one or maybe both my signature tag. Probably both.

Feel free my friend. And thank you.

[Floyd Eye]

Originally Posted by NYCbassist

I treat all my basses like sacred objects. I'm gonna make my drummer wrap the edges of his Cymbals with cotton gauze. As for sanding a neck, you would have to hold a gun to my head even if it wasn't my bass. My Ric is the Holy Grail IMO. I know! I'm a mess

Nah, I think you're pretty normal. I am pretty protective of my guitars too. I pretty much agree with your whole post completely.

[Floyd Eye]

Originally Posted by Engine207

Easy bro... Im neither proud nor ashamed of my 'poor technique'. I just play my bass the way it feels good for me. I'm guessing every one of us has some poor technical habit that works for us, despite not being 'proper'. I remember reading about some Motown bass player who mostly used the index finger in his right hand, yet somehow managed to overcome his technique. He seemed to play pretty well.

Tell you what...I promise not to tell you how to play your bass if you don't berate me and derail the thread from the topic of altering neck finishes. Cool?

Deal. No offense intended. My remark was meant to be as off the cuff as yours was.

[Floyd Eye]

Originally Posted by two fingers

OK, I was trying to make a point. I all honesty I don't think I could do it anyway. Maybe I took that one one step too far. I like a matte finish neck, but I'm not insane.

I knew that.

[Floyd Eye]

Originally Posted by PotsdamBass8

Since when is it poor technique to move your hand while having contact with the back of your neck? What if you change positions while playing a phrase or slide a note? You aren't supposed to have contact with the back of the neck for that period of shift? Remember that this is electric bass and not upright, and only pulling back towards the fretboard with your hand could cause the tuning and action to shift temporarily

I prefer the unfinished/satin feel too. I have a BB424x and an SRMM5 and love the feel of both of them, and if I had a glossy finished neck I'd probably have to do something to it too.

It has nothing to do with moving your hand. And if you have to ask, well, you know.