Satin finish neck on Ibanez bass getting rough

[alaskaleftybass]

Hi fellow TB'ers. I have a 2009 Ibanez SR500L mahogany bass. It is a great player, but lately, I've noticed that it has some roughness at the third fret area on the neck side. It almost feels like the wood is shredding. It's almost undetectable, but knowing my bass very well, I can tell the neck wood is a little rough in that area.

It's a stained satin finish neck. How can I smooth out the area of neck then recover the satin finish? I was thinking either steel wool or sandpaper. Does anyone have any suggestions what size steel wool and sandpaper? I thought maybe 2000. All suggestions appreciated, please!

Here is an example of my bass neck. It's actually a photo of a neck sold here on TB.

 

[Zooberwerx]

You can knock-down the grain with a ScotchBrite pad, steel wool, and some wax. Not unusual for multi-lam necks especially the Warwick 3 piece wenge necks per my experience.

Riis

 

[alaskaleftybass]

You can knock-down the grain with a ScotchBrite pad, steel wool, and some wax. Not unusual for multi-lam necks especially the Warwick 3 piece wenge necks per my experience.

Riis

Thanks much Riis!

 

[alaskaleftybass]

Anyone else?

 

[mc900ftj]

I second the Scotch Brite pad. I avoid steel wool like the plague.

 

[Don Kasper]

Does anyone have any suggestions what size steel wool and sandpaper?

1000 then 1500 grit sandpaper - the 1500 just smooths the surface ...like glass.
Good Luck.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

1000 then 1500 grit sandpaper - the 1500 just smooths the surface ...like glass.
Good Luck.

Thank you.

 

[TheBlueFalcon]

How can I smooth out the area of neck then recover the satin finish?

So are you planning to gently sand it, then apply a clear satin coat?

I'm still not a fan of the light maple necks on the lower models. Would love to sand it, stain it and clear coat it, but wondering if I'm asking for trouble.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

You can knock-down the grain with a ScotchBrite pad, steel wool, and some wax. Not unusual for multi-lam necks especially the Warwick 3 piece wenge necks per my experience.

Riis

I second the Scotch Brite pad. I avoid steel wool like the plague.

1000 then 1500 grit sandpaper - the 1500 just smooths the surface ...like glass.
Good Luck.

So are you planning to gently sand it, then apply a clear satin coat?

I'm still not a fan of the light maple necks on the lower models. Would love to sand it, stain it and clear coat it, but wondering if I'm asking for trouble.

I'm probably going to try one of the suggestions above. I'm leaning towards the 1500 sandpaper then waxing. Some great suggestions. What neck are you thinking of refinishing?

 

[Edarnott]

I think the clear coat is starting to peel, the 1500 will be fine, just go easy because you will be leveling up the top down to whats left, and the bottom coat will be thin.

 

[TheBlueFalcon]

What neck are you thinking of refinishing?

I'd like to make the back on the neck on an SR370 (same as your SR300) a bit darker than the neck on your SR500. But I'd be worried about messing it up.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

I'd like to make the back on the neck on an SR370 (same as your SR300) a bit darker than the neck on your SR500. But I'd be worried about messing it up.

I'm hoping that someone with more experience will see this thread and join in. In my ignorance I think you could probably pull this off if you followed the directions or contacted one of the TB'ers in this post.

 

[TheBlueFalcon]

I'm hoping that someone with more experience will see this thread and join in. In my ignorance I think you could probably pull this off if you followed the directions or contacted one of the TB'ers in this post.

I admire your confidence in me, but I have more to lose than you. I've only got one bass, but you have two, plus it's now your least favourite bass. No pressure or anything!!

 

[TheBlueFalcon]

I've actually got a spare (cheap) fretless neck up in the loft, so I thought about practicing on that, but I won't know if the finish I apply would be durable or not, as I won't be using the fretless neck.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

I admire your confidence in me, but I have more to lose than you. I've only got one bass, but you have two, plus it's now your least favourite bass. No pressure or anything!!

I don't recall saying it was my least favorite bass, as a matter of fact, after a recent gig, it is actually the same status as my SR300EL. You might live in a location where there are guitar techs or a music store. I don't. I will be remiss if I can't use my SR500, so I'm as worried as you about buggering up my bass neck.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Start with the scotch bright, then to the finest sandpaper. Better to start too fine than too harsh.

 

[Element Zero]

Put blue painters tape completely over the pickups including the small gaps around the pickups. The 0000 Steel Wool back and forth on the neck until it’s your desired smoothness. BEFORE you take the tape off, wipe the bass down numerous times with a soft towel to remove any bits of steel wool. Then remove tape and bingo.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

A appreciate all the suggestions. This is a learning experience for me!