If you like a glossy neck, why?

[707GK]

I have a MusicMan with oiled neck, Fender with satin, FGN with gloss. Don’t notice the difference when going back and forth between them.

 

[PennyroyalWe]

I used to dislike glossy necks, especially the really thick poly gloss necks. Now, they’re my favorite kind. Why? Because of how well it protects the neck! Not just from dings and dents, but also from humidity changes and fret sprout too.

 

[InhumanResource]

Now you’ve gone too far! Tell my left arm that neck dive is “metaphysical” after 3 sets with my ancient EB-2. ...and it’s a very light instrument overall. Oh, and it does have a glossy nitro-finished neck .

PS: While you’re on a roll, why not throw in fingerboard radius .

I theorize many of these ailments can be prevented with a different metric: strap length!

Radius is another good one. Go cruise the classifieds and see how many requests there are for various metrics that DON'T include "what does it sound like?"

 

[JKos]

I've never had an issue with glossy necks. So, that's why I don't mind glossy necks.

 

[BigJohnAZ]

I guess I would consider my Ricky has a glossy neck, and my Squier does not and I don't prefer either. I like them both.

 

[Old Fart]

Glossy necks are sticky. The best necks are the ones with the finish entirely worn off. Some bassists here have far better technique than I do. The thumb should barely touch the neck. Learning proper technique is inconvenient, so I just take talcum powder to gigs.

 

[zubrycky]

I hate glossy necks.

 

[Yellow Bang66]

I was at my local Guitar Center today to return my Ibanez EHB1000, and also see how much they would give me for my NS Design WAV Radius 4 (metallic crimson). It was a pretty relaxed day for me, so I had some free time and went into the bass department to play some of their basses.

Some of the basses I played had glossy finishes on the necks, and I wondered to myself why anyone would ever want a glossy neck, as they feel tacky as soon as your hand is even the slightest more moist than a dry desert, and when it's tacky, you can't slide your hand up and down the neck very smoothly. But obviously enough people like them for the companies to keep making them with glossy finished necks. So I'm just curious--if you like glossy necks, what do you like about it over matte or unfinished necks?

I played glossy when i started, never cared or noticed a disadvantage. Luckily my hands never get very sweaty, even when I get nervous. An old friend used to Flop sweat,OMG! poor guy's hand would be drenched when in distress, yuck! a clammy mess. I have always stayed pretty dry, Thank GOD! but i do sweat like a pig when exercising.
The finish on the back of a neck never was an issue for me, until in the late 80's my lead guitarist got anew ibanez with an unfinished neck that I envied, it felt so fast! & was soooo thin ( profile). I tried to replicate it on my Hondo P bass copy and proceeded to ruin the tone of my bass. my bad! now i just settle for scotchbriting the finish to get that smooth unfinished feel. its now my preference. I ordered an unfinished Wenge neck from Warmoth, and it feels like Heaven & plays like butter! I love it and I cant imagine going back to glossy.
I dont know what the advantages of glossy finished necks are, except the obvious, keeping the wood sealed & clean, keeping moisture & dirty out of the wood. I never heard anyone ever say "I love glossy necks!"

 

[Lunatique]

Glossy necks don't bother me. . . . . . . . because I don't slide my hand on the neck.

Your thumb should be the point of contact and you should move (not slide) your thumb when you want to change the placement of your fingers.

It doesn’t make a difference to me either way.

Try practicing playing OFPF without your thumb or any part of you hand touching the back of the neck.

I don't play with a death-grip and I keep a pretty straight wrist with ideal thumb position, flat against the back of the neck. But even so, just having the thumb making minimal contact with a glossy neck, it feels more tacky than a satin or oiled neck--enough for me to notice it and dislike it.

First my off topic comment. Generally if you're sensitive to the slickness of the neck like this, there is an approximately 85% chance that you're dealing with neck dive. You're having to hold the neck up with the fretting hand at the same time you're trying to play; this forces you to maintain a "grip" on the neck while you're shifting. And, hence, the need for slipperiness, etc. So if you treat the neck dive, this will generally go away. Because you can fully let go of the neck when shifting, the texture of it won't matter anymore.
In a shop, of course, you generally have to sling the bass over the leg sitting on an amp or something in the usual way when we're bass-shopping, so this is unavoidable on neck-divey basses like our Fender types a lot of us play. What you can do is get a strap, attach it to the rear straploc and sit on the strap to hold the instrument in place. Dodgy, but it gets the job done.
That's how I play my Fenders these days and it's an acceptable workaround for playing seated.

As for the topic, I prefer thick gloss finishes. I guess mainly it's because the slick reflective surface just looks cool. It really gives the appearance that the wood is fully sealed and a thick layer of plastic does help protect the wood from dings and scratches, etc.

Matte finishes are ok, but I don't like the "ultra-thin" type matte finishes. Just doesn't "feel" like enough protection and sealing of the wood to me....

L

While what you're saying is very true, in my case, I actually brought my Neotech neoprene strap with me.

If it wasn't for the tactile sensation or fingerprints, I probably would like glossy finishes more.

 

[Lesfunk]

Glossy necks don't bother me. . . . . . . . because I don't slide my hand on the neck.

Your thumb should be the point of contact and you should move (not slide) your thumb when you want to change the placement of your fingers.

First my off topic comment. Generally if you're sensitive to the slickness of the neck like this, there is an approximately 85% chance that you're dealing with neck dive. You're having to hold the neck up with the fretting hand at the same time you're trying to play; this forces you to maintain a "grip" on the neck while you're shifting. And, hence, the need for slipperiness, etc. So if you treat the neck dive, this will generally go away. Because you can fully let go of the neck when shifting, the texture of it won't matter anymore.
In a shop, of course, you generally have to sling the bass over the leg sitting on an amp or something in the usual way when we're bass-shopping, so this is unavoidable on neck-divey basses like our Fender types a lot of us play. What you can do is get a strap, attach it to the rear straploc and sit on the strap to hold the instrument in place. Dodgy, but it gets the job done.
That's how I play my Fenders these days and it's an acceptable workaround for playing seated.

As for the topic, I prefer thick gloss finishes. I guess mainly it's because the slick reflective surface just looks cool. It really gives the appearance that the wood is fully sealed and a thick layer of plastic does help protect the wood from dings and scratches, etc.

Matte finishes are ok, but I don't like the "ultra-thin" type matte finishes. Just doesn't "feel" like enough protection and sealing of the wood to me....

L

Now that you mention it, the only two instruments with gloss Neck finishes (Out of dozens) that botherd me had serious neck dive issues.
One was a Gibson LesPaul (finished in nitro)
The other was a Jazz Bass with an extremely lightweight body (also nitro)

 

[Rip Van Dan]

I was at my local Guitar Center today to return my Ibanez EHB1000, and also see how much they would give me for my NS Design WAV Radius 4 (metallic crimson). It was a pretty relaxed day for me, so I had some free time and went into the bass department to play some of their basses.

Some of the basses I played had glossy finishes on the necks, and I wondered to myself why anyone would ever want a glossy neck, as they feel tacky as soon as your hand is even the slightest more moist than a dry desert, and when it's tacky, you can't slide your hand up and down the neck very smoothly. But obviously enough people like them for the companies to keep making them with glossy finished necks. So I'm just curious--if you like glossy necks, what do you like about it over matte or unfinished necks?

I like it because that's what my '65 Jazz came with and I loved the neck on that bass. My '82 Jazz has the same neck profile that my '65 did but in a maple neck. Took me almost 10-years to find another bass with the same neck profile and shape as on my '65 after my '65 was stolen in 1976. It also has the gloss finish and it just feels right to me. Also, I don't have sweaty hands so my hands don't stick on it.

I did have occasion at an outdoor gig we played at in June 2020 after it had rained for a couple of hours that my palm did start to stick a little bit. Grabbed a microfiber cloth out of my truck and gave the neck a quick wipe down between the 2nd and 3rd sets. Did the same thing before the 4th set. So indoors, I never have the problem. Outdoors in the rain it came up but was no big deal.

I also have a a 5-string that doesn't have the gloss finish on it, and it's fine. I don't think it's really better, but I've never had to play it continually for 4-hours outdoors under a canopy while it's raining either. The short of it is that I don't have sweaty hands so it honestly doesn't make a difference to me.

 

[I-play-bass]

Never thought about it much. I like a glossy neck because that's what my Rick has, I guess.

 

[TrevorG]

Most of my basses have been glossy necks and I've taken it for granted that's how good quality basses come. Got a satin necked bass recently and love it. Glossy necks have never slowed me down but the sating thing is really slick.

 

[sean_on_bass]

I do prefer a sanded/plain neck with a non glossy finish, but i own a glossy neck bass and it is really not an issue IMO. I never noticed myself getting stuck on it or anything. So at the end of the day i would accept either.

 

[TonyP-]

I love them...A little more protection does not hurt.

I’m also used to them since I grew up on 70s Fenders.

 

[darwin-bass]

I haven't noticed much difference in playability between gloss and satin. The latter gets glossy due to playing anyway.

Gloss finish really lets the wood grain shine through which I love.

 

[N4860]

It entirely depends on the quality of the finish. My EBMM Sabre has a glossy neck, and it’s never been even slightly sticky, even after hours of playing.

Yeah, I agree with others that it depends on the quality of the finish. I have an EBMM Old Smoothie with a very glossy finish and it feels just as good as my EBMM Stingrays that have the more raw feeling necks.

 

[wvbass]

Meh.

Glossy necks look great. If we're being honest, at least 75% of a purchase decision is based on looks. The only times I've ever had any issues with playing a glossy neck are when I've played outside in July.

 

[JoeDaddio]

I've got a Ray4 with a natural finish, a Warmoth with a glossy neck, and an American P with a satin neck.

The satin neck is my favorite, but honestly it doesn't bother me to switch back and forth. The glossy neck is probably my least favorite, but not because it's sticky but because it gets slippery with sweat. I like to feel connected to the neck when playing and I (gasp!) drag my hand lightly up and down the neck when I play. When it gets slippery I feel less in control, I guess, but it's not really a big deal.


joe

 

[PWRL]

I seldom think about it, probably because I'm used to them. They might get a little sticky once in a while, but it never really bothers me that much. Quite often, only my thumb is really touching the most on the back of the neck.