Double Bass How to correctly finish a DB neck

[ccmorgan]

I sand the wood bare, first with 120, then 220, 400, 800. I then apply butcher block conditioner with steel wool. It looks nice, feels great, allows for smooth shifting, endures, and it’s completely natural. No weird chemicals on something you’ll be touching quite a bit (and putting next to your nose/face). Those are my personal preferences.
I do this to all my fingerboards as well.

 

[Rockin John]

On the initial post I think I asked the wrong question.

On many DB photos I’ve seen (and other orchestral strings) the peg box is usually finished in the body colour. Going down the neck towards the body there’s an area of what appears to be bare wood, yellowed wood or something similar. Then the neck heel and body is finished in the the body colour.

It’s that bit in the middle that concerns me. I’ve seen posts suggesting French polish and various oils. There’s clearly a barrier between the body colour and French polish / oil to consider.

I feel a bit uncertain if some instruments are finished like that as a sort-of cosmetic feature, or whether it’s for the player, or both.

Thoughts welcome.

John

 

[ccmorgan]

Many luthiers do a thin French polish, while others do some kind of oil finish. I think the two main reasons for a different finish are:

1. Facilitating smoother hand movement
2. Avoiding erosion of a colored finish

 

[Nick Lloyd]

Watco Danish Oil, clear/natural, will work fine.

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

I sand to 300 grit, just enough French polish to seal the wood and let that dry. Then boiled linseed oil rubbed thoroughly with a scotchbrite pad or steel wool.