Sanding poly gloss off Geddy Lee neck

[rollyolly]

Just bought a brand new geddy lee jazz in sunburst. Awesome bass, but I'm not digging the "sticky" coating on the back of the neck. It's really slowing down my hand on an otherwise fast neck.

Will some 0000 steel wool take it right off without compromising the integrity of the neck? Also, will doing this somehow void my factory warranty from fender?

I'm not trying to take it down to bare wood, I just want to get a smooth satin feel similar to the squier vm jazz.

[hands5]

Originally Posted by rollyolly

Just bought a brand new geddy lee jazz in sunburst. Awesome bass, but I'm not digging the "sticky" coating on the back of the neck. It's really slowing down my hand on an otherwise fast neck.

Will some 0000 steel wool take it right off without compromising the integrity of the neck? Also, will doing this somehow void my factory warranty from fender?

I'm not trying to take it down to bare wood, I just want to get a smooth satin feel similar to the squier vm jazz.

Why didn't you just get the 70's VM Squier ?

[rollyolly]

Originally Posted by hands5

Why didn't you just get the 70's VM Squier ?

I don't know, maybe that's a legitimate question.

[vin*tone]

I do that to all my MIJ basses. Go for it.

[VanillaThundah]

Originally Posted by hands5

Why didn't you just get the 70's VM Squier ?

I own a Squier 70's RI VM and have played a Geddy Jazz...the Geddy neck is shaped differently than the Squier's is. To me the Geddy feels smaller, but it's shaped differently. Was that an honest question or are you just trying to make a point?

[bassdog]

Just get a piece of extremely fine sand paper, even used, and LIGHTY take the shine off. You will fell the difference. Don't use steel wool.

Bob

[StuartV]

0000 steel wool will definitely help. But, it's SO fine, it might not do enough to suit you. Unless, maybe, you spend a LOT of time on it.

I have had it recommended to me to use a fine Scotchbrite pad. I think one of my TB friends even told me that that's what Roger Sadowsky recommends to people who want to do this to their Sadowsky basses.

[Handyman]

Originally Posted by StuartV

0000 steel wool will definitely help. But, it's SO fine, it might not do enough to suit you. Unless, maybe, you spend a LOT of time on it.

I have had it recommended to me to use a fine Scotchbrite pad. I think one of my TB friends even told me that that's what Roger Sadowsky recommends to people who want to do this to their Sadowsky basses.

Scotchbrite pads also have the advantage of not leaving behind metal dust that can get stuck to your pickups.

[StuartV]

I started on one of my necks with 0000 steel wool and it did make it a bit better. But, I determined pretty quickly that I really needed to take the neck off the body to do the job properly, so I stopped and have never gotten back to it.

But, with the neck off, I don't think there's much to worry about with getting metal dust on the pickups. :-)

How about a recommendation on which Scotch-brite pad is best for this? Light Duty Cleansing Pad (Super Fine)? General Purpose Hand Pad (Very Fine)? Or Heavy Duty Hand Pad (Medium)?

[gigslut]

A little trick I learned at the pool hall. Keeps cues and bass necks nice and slick. Just rub until you see a little dust.



Wipe away residual dust, repeat as needed. No need to remove entire finish.

[Peace Cee]

Noooooooooooooooo.

[ghostdog93]

I would think that the Scotch Brite #7448 Ultra Fine pads would do the trick. They are the ones that are grey or grey-green in color. If they aren't aggressive enough, you can try the #7447 General Purpose pads, which are red.

I think you can only buy them by the box - not sure if they're labeled for individual sale - but I'm pretty sure Home Depot carries them.

[gigslut]

The green are fine, they will dull the finish to a satin, but not leave visible to the naked eye scratch marks. Shouldn't be an issue to someone considering removing the finish altogether. Anything finer will not be aggressive enough to do anything to the poly finish.

[johnk_10]

well, i find the green ones to be way too abrasive and they definitely leave scratch marks.

these gray ones are great for this:

Buy Pads Gray 000 (20) at Woodcraft

BTW, i don't get steel wool anywhere near my basses.

[bassmastan]

Play it off

[rollyolly]

Originally Posted by johnk_10

BTW, i don't get steel wool anywhere near my basses.

Why not? What if I cover the body in a plastic trash bag, then blow off the neck and strings with an air compresser after I'm finished sanding?

[ghostdog93]

The grey pads that John K linked look exactly like the Scotch-Brite Ultra Fines. I'm guessing they are the same product.

[gigslut]

Rubbed to satin with green scotchbrite



I've sold a couple basses that have had this treatment. No one has complained or tried to haggle due to scratch marks. I do get comments on how nice the necks feel.

[johnk_10]

Originally Posted by rollyolly

Why not? What if I cover the body in a plastic trash bag, then blow off the neck and strings with an air compresser after I'm finished sanding?

why go to all that trouble when you don't have to?
those fine steel threads of steel wool get everywhere and they rust really fast too. a compressor will just push them into areas where you don't want it to go.

[gigslut]

Originally Posted by johnk_10

why go to all that trouble when you don't have to?
those fine steel threads of steel wool get everywhere and they rust really fast too. a compressor will just push them into areas where you don't want it to go.

On that we agree. John, what kind of gloss do you get after using the fine pads? I'm happy with the satin I get with the green pads and can take out minor dings in the surface without completely removing the finish. Does take away the shine, though. I can do without the glare.