Sanding the Neck on a Geddy Lee Jazz

darth by tor · #1 12-02-2010, 07:32 AM

Has anyone sanded down the neck on their Geddy Lee Jazz.
I have a Peavey David Ellefson signature which has a satin finish on the neck, Ive found it really improves my playing.
So I'm thinking of doing the same to the Gedjazz.
Is it something you can do yourself or would you recommend a pro do it.

T-MOST · #2 12-02-2010, 07:33 AM

How are you going to coat the neck after.

bobm2112 · #3 12-02-2010, 07:45 AM

I believe you can use steel wool to knock the shine down but not loose the protection. Experts please confirm. =)

M.R. Ogle · #4 12-02-2010, 08:13 AM

+1 on the fine-grade steel wool.

You don't really want to lose ALL the protective finish on the neck (light-colored maple gets grungy quickly) but you can knock off the shine with 000-grade steel wool very easily.

Spinal Tapper · #5 12-02-2010, 08:14 AM

I used a VERY fine grade sandpaper on my old Geddy. It worked perfectly. Knocked the poly right off.

Dave Hill · #6 12-02-2010, 08:30 AM

I used fine steel wool, and the neck feels awesomely perfect.

darth by tor · #7 12-02-2010, 08:46 AM

Excellent, thanks guys!
I'll go get me some Steel Wool

Aram · #8 12-02-2010, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darth by tor

Has anyone sanded down the neck on their Geddy Lee Jazz.
I have a Peavey David Ellefson signature which has a satin finish on the neck, Ive found it really improves my playing.
So I'm thinking of doing the same to the Gedjazz.
Is it something you can do yourself or would you recommend a pro do it.

I wouldn't recommend it...it's easy enough to retrofit the Geddy (or most Fenders for that matter) with a replacement neck to your liking...but you'll likely kill any resale of the Geddy if you sand it down yourself, and it'll be pretty permanent.

Spinal Tapper · #9 12-02-2010, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aram

...but you'll likely kill any resale of the Geddy if you sand it down yourself, and it'll be pretty permanent.

I disagree, I sanded the neck on my Geddy and still got $700 for it when I sold it off a year or two later. Seller didn't seem to notice/care. He thought the neck was incredible. Which is why most people buy these basses in the first place. I did.

Aram · #10 12-02-2010, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spinal Tapper

I disagree, I sanded the neck on my Geddy and still got $700 for it when I sold it off a year or two later. Seller didn't seem to notice/care. He thought the neck was incredible. Which is why most people buy these basses in the first place. I did.

Hmm -- I haven't seen many non-modded Geddy's go for that much, but maybe I haven't noticed because I'm not in the market?

I'm also probably biased, because I love the gloss neck...

CrimsonGhost · #11 12-02-2010, 10:05 AM

I have had many fender necks sanded down to bare wood, the last one I had was a mid 80s p-bass neck that had its neck down to bare wood for years, and never had any issues, i guess all the grime seals it up.. felt amazing..

If you do not like the look of bare wood and how it turns hrey/black you can sand it down to the sealer coat, it will feel like bare wood but still sealed..

gjbassist · #12 12-02-2010, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aram

I wouldn't recommend it...it's easy enough to retrofit the Geddy (or most Fenders for that matter) with a replacement neck to your liking...but you'll likely kill any resale of the Geddy if you sand it down yourself, and it'll be pretty permanent.

Considering Geddy sands the necks on his GL jazz basses some may see it as a way to make the GL bass more authentic, thereby making it even more valuable!

CrimsonGhost · #13 12-02-2010, 10:08 AM

Some of you guys are acting like your leasing a car, lol.. do what you please with your bass and enjoy it. its not a trophy or some sort of museum piece..

on that note my last Geddy got hacked for BWB pg and creme dimarzio P/J set. It sounded great.

Spinal Tapper · #14 12-02-2010, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aram

Hmm -- I haven't seen many non-modded Geddy's go for that much, but maybe I haven't noticed because I'm not in the market?

Perhaps! It was the "high end" of the range, they usually go from 500-700, I just got lucky. The body and everything else was immaculate as well...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aram

I'm also probably biased, because I love the gloss neck...

To each his own, my friend! I used to be a fan as well, but was converted to a satin finish guy once I played my buddy's 66 Jazz for the first time, a few years back. Cheers!

Baird6869 · #15 12-02-2010, 10:27 AM

I sanded my GL Jazz neck and it made a huge difference.

Just buy the finest sandpaper you can find and take your time with it.

thebrain · #16 12-02-2010, 10:36 AM

I agree with the fine steel wool. Do it, it's a GL, not a vintage peice. You won't devalue it at all IMO. If I were in the market for one, I would have no problem if someone knocked the shine off as long as they did it carefully.

cameronkeel · #17 12-05-2010, 05:06 PM

I agree. Knock the finish off, steel wool is what I would use. Actually thinking about doing to make the neck a little faster. Actually Geddy does use the same Fender necks we find on the signature series models, and has the finished knocked off.

mustbampeg · #18 12-05-2010, 05:18 PM

I'll probably get hammered to hell and back for this, but here's what I've done in the past:

Use a razorblade. I do mine like this. Hold the razor perpindicular to the back of the neck. Be very careful and dont apply much pressure or you will create dips and valleys. But using the razor, just scrape off the finish... once you get close to the bare wood or to it, then start using finer and finer sandpaper until you create the finish you want... If you go down to the bare wood, then you should probably seal it with tung oil or something...

Anyways, if you are careful, this can be done relatively quickly and accurately as opposed to sanding for hours and hours...

btw, Ive done this to 3 basses and not had any issues at all with any of them. Also to note, none of the 3 basses were worth more than a few hundred dollars.... I probably would not try this technique on a $2k+ bass...

so, i guess the flaming will begin now, but I'm really just offering up an alternative.

Randy

pie_man_25 · #19 12-05-2010, 06:04 PM

do what you want really, there's a whole crapload of options. The razorblade alternative sounds like a fast alternative to ultra-fine steel wool, or just sanding it off, but it seems like you might want some practice on some scraps first - I dunno, maybe carve a 2"x1"x12" piece of crap into a neck-like shape, put some varnish, and go to town on it. I personally don't see it necessary to bother with sealing the neck - the world's best quality violins, violas, cellos, and double basses have absolutely no finish on the neck - and they've been around several hundred years. Of course, that's my 2 cents, I would still put some carnauba wax, or maybe some tung oil. Either an oil or a wax would protect the wood adequately from moisture.

queevil · #20 12-05-2010, 07:43 PM

I used one of those green scouring pads that you can find in just about any kitchen in America and it worked well. I just took off the shine and it feels a lot better.