Caring for a Maple/Maple EBMM Neck

[selowitch]

What is the best procedure to maintain the maple/maple neck on my 2001 Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray 5H (other than wiping it down)? Is it a gloss or satin finish? Is sanding and applying Tru Oil really necessary? Are there any products/steps to specifically avoid? The EBMM FAQ is a bit confusing so I thought I would post here.

 

[byacey]

I guess you have to determine if it's an oiled neck, or a matte polyester finish. An oiled finish will probably show some signs of dirt worked into heavily handled areas.

 

[sissy kathy]

I doubt it's an oiled finish. Maple needs to be sealed to prevent dirt and grime build up, Just wipe it down after use and if insists starts getting dirty, clean it with naphtha and a rag.

 

[mdogs]

Sorry for the horrible picture, but you can see the line just below the headstock where the finish on the back of the neck changes from poly on the headstock to oil on the neck. Yes, it is oil, just follow the instructions on the EBMM website and you should be good.

 

[selowitch]

View attachment 3204080Yes, it is oil, just follow the instructions on the EBMM website and you should be good.

How do you know that my bass neck is oil and not poly?

 

[mdogs]

Well, that line in the finish is the transition between the two. That line, AFAIK, is not on any MM basses without an oil neck.

How do you know that my bass neck is oil and not poly?

 

[selowitch]

Well, that line in the finish is the transition between the two. That line, AFAIK, is not on any MM basses without an oil neck.

This still doesn't tell me how to tell which type of neck I have on this particular bass.
Again, from the Ernie Ball FAQ:

CATEGORY #1: GLOSSY OR MATTE POLYESTER FINISH

Some of our instruments have necks that are finished with a glossy or matte polyester finish.

CATEGORY #2: TRU-OIL & GUNSTOCK WAX

Many of our necks are not finished that way. They are finished with tru-oil and gunstock wax

So my question is how do I tell which of these two categories does my particular bass belong? Because until I answer that question, I cannot follow the directions because the directions are different for each of the two categories.

 

[James Collins]

Maybe contact Music Man with your serial number?

 

[sissy kathy]

Have the model and serial number handy, then call and ask.
San Luis Obispo
Address:
4117 Earthwood lane.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

For Ernie Ball string and accessory issues and inquiries please use the Ernie ball Contact Form


Telephone: 866-823-2255
Fax: 866-893-2255

 

[Funkdified]

No, sanding is not necessary unless the dirt is so in the grain of the wood it will not come out. Most likely its oiled. You can post a picture of it here or email the serial number to EBMM and ask them.

 

[Funkdified]

Have the model and serial number handy, then call and ask.
San Luis Obispo
Address:
4117 Earthwood lane.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

For Ernie Ball string and accessory issues and inquiries please use the Ernie ball Contact Form


Telephone: 866-823-2255
Fax: 866-893-2255

Beat me to it.

 

[mdogs]

This still doesn't tell me how to tell which type of neck I have on this particular bass.
Again, from the Ernie Ball FAQ:

CATEGORY #1: GLOSSY OR MATTE POLYESTER FINISH


CATEGORY #2: TRU-OIL & GUNSTOCK WAX


So my question is how do I tell which of these two categories does my particular bass belong? Because until I answer that question, I cannot follow the directions because the directions are different for each of the two categories.

Do you have the line below your headstock? If you do, it is oil. If you don't, it is poly and you should be able to tell the difference between matte and gloss.

 

[selowitch]

I decided to post a query on the Ernie Ball forum. If I don't get an answer within a week or so I'll give them a call.

 

[selowitch]

Do you have the line below your headstock? If you do, it is oil. If you don't, it is poly and you should be able to tell the difference between matte and gloss.

I'll look.

 

[selowitch]

Attached is an image of the reverse of the neck where it meets the headstock. It sure looks like there could be a dividing line between one region and the other (suggesting it's an oil finish) but it is hard to tell for sure because I don't have a polyester neck to which I can compare it.

N.B., The red arrows show where I think the finish changes.

 

[mdogs]

Attached is an image of the reverse of the neck where it meets the headstock. It sure looks like there could be a dividing line between one region and the other (suggesting it's an oil finish) but it is hard to tell for sure because I don't have a polyester neck to which I can compare it.

N.B., The red arrows show where I think the finish changes.

You don't need a neck to compare it to. You should be able to feel the difference between the two areas. Regardless, you have an oil neck, follow the MM instructions for them.

 

[selowitch]

You don't need a neck to compare it to. You should be able to feel the difference between the two areas.

You didn't say anything about feel/texture before (or perhaps I missed it).

Regardless, you have an oil neck.

Great, good. May I ask how you know that?

 

[mdogs]

You didn't say anything about feel/texture before (or perhaps I missed it).Great, good. May I ask how you know that?

Ya, didn't say that before...I thought it, just didn't say it. How do I know, this one I did say before, AFAIK, the only necks that have that line between the neck and the headstock are oiled necks.

 

[selowitch]

Ya, didn't say that before...I thought it, just didn't say it. How do I know, this one I did say before, AFAIK, the only necks that have that line between the neck and the headstock are oiled necks.

It's perfectly valid to point out that the difference between the finish on the shaft and the finish on the headstock can be felt in the tactile sense; however, until you mentioned that I was relying solely on visual data. And when I said that I don't have the poly neck to compare it to and you disputed that idea by talking about texture/feel, that's not really fair because you only now introduced that idea into the discussion. Do you see my thought process here?

So in your opinion, my neck is an oiled neck? I am leaning in that direction also.

 

[Fun Size Nick]

It's an oil/wax neck for sure. I think the most pertinent fact is the model and year of manufacture - since the mid-90s the oil/wax neck finish has been standard on 'regular' Stingrays. You'd only have a poly finished neck on a Stingray Classic (which wasn't made then) or on one of the cheaper lines like the SUB (which I don't think was made then) or the SBMM instruments (which definitely weren't made then). Hope that helps.