Fender neck finishes

[Road Bull]

So, do people enjoy a high gloss finish on the back of their neck? The Fenders that I have played, both jazz and precision, that have a high gloss seem to feel sticky. I have a 2007 AM Fender Standard P that has a sweet satin style finish to the back of the neck.

It seems that some of the more expensive Fenders come with this gloss but it just seems like a turn-off for me. Do most just live with it, or sand the gloss off? Come to think of it, I don't think I have ever liked the feel of a gloss or painted neck. It just doesn't feel right to me. I wish it was on "option" to have the high gloss.

What finish would my AM Standard P be considered so that I know what to look for?

Thanks in advance.

[Johnny Alien]

It's all a matter of opinion really. I much prefer a gloss finish to a satin. And while there are those that love the oil finishes on Musicman basses I think that a raw wood feeling neck just feels cheap and in the humid northeast they never want to stay properly set up.

But I understand why people would prefer a satin over gloss. And I do really like the satin finish on Lakland necks so there are some that I like. But I think it's me coming from a vintage Fender preference. Since they had gloss finishes in the older days that is how I got used to them.

[Johnny Alien]

Originally Posted by Road Bull

What finish would my AM Standard P be considered so that I know what to look for?

Thanks in advance.

Sorry I forgot to directly answer this. Satin

[stepswork4me]

I hate the feel of gloss finished necks. But then again, I don't dig vintage style.

[Rockmusician]

I've heard people say that glosss finishes feel sticky but I have never experienced that. I prefer a gloss finish. I find unfinished necks to feel more sticky.

[Randyt]

I cant think of a time that I didnt take 0000 steel wool to the back of any Fender neck I have owned...I never use cleaner on the back of the neck,.,just steel wool.

[lpdeluxe]

The gloss on my Classic '51 and Classic '50s and AV '57 all feel OK to me. But if I had my druthers, they'd all have the flatter radius and satin finish of the maple fingerboard Tribute L2K I used to have.

[Dbassmon]

The Satin finishes end up glossy over time as friction and skin oils naturally polish the finish... in my experience.

I have used baby powder on my hands and that remove any sense of stickyness. It's moisture in your skin that grabs the surface so powder absorbs the moisture and keeps the neck feeling sleek. Try it.

[LilloEsquilo]

Personally I prefer natural wood. That's what works best for me.

I realize it's not for everyone, and everyone has a different opinion and outlook, but since you asked, that's my take and preference.

[Road Bull]

I figure it is a matter of taste. And when I think back to when I first had a chance to pick up my bass player's bass as a drummer, it was glossy. And hands are the other part of the equation. Everyone's hands are different. Some hands sweat more, or have more oil to create more friction. I guess I just got used to the satin feel. I will have to give the gloss another good look though.

[Lonesomedave]

Originally Posted by Randyt

I cant think of a time that I didnt take 0000 steel wool to the back of any Fender neck I have owned...I never use cleaner on the back of the neck,.,just steel wool.

+1 to that^

i usually take a cloth and put some acetone on it and rub the back of the neck to remove about half the finish... rub it good so you have a nice coat of finish still there, just about 1/2 as thick.

then steel wool it good. my son says all his necks feel good with this treatment.

[96tbird]

While not Fenders, (but how much Fender is a MIM?), my Squier Vmj is satin and cv 50's p, gloss. The vmj has become glossy from use. My cv p glossy has become less sticky with use. Any situation where fingers sweat feels sticky on either. My Gibson G3 which has hardly any finish left on the neck feels sticky under the same conditions. Freshly washed hands stick to all my necks.

[Mark4]

Glossy necks feel slightly better to me, but they both get the job done. I don't notice a meaningful difference in performance.

[Alivefor5]

Any finish or no finish is fine with me. I touch only the center of the back of the neck
with my thumb.

I do use the gun oil recommendation on MM necks to seal them because Indiana humidity changes from moist to dry and back sometimes daily.