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Should I sand down the neck on my 1963 AVRI Precision?

scyzoryk

scyzoryk

Jan 12, 2004
177
70
Vancouver, BC
#1
I have a 1963 AVRI precision with one of those semi-glossy nitro/poly necks, and I confess I have never loved the 1.75" neck or the feel, but the tone is definitely to die for.

For those who know about this bass and the neck, would sanding the neck down with a scotch-brite pad offer any obvious benefits, like increasing the feel/speed? I've played some Nash basses and love the feel of my satin-neck Sadowsky, so I'm hoping it'll be similar.

I've read a bunch of posts on tb about this topic but there seems to be a lot of conflicting opinions.
 
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#5
If you don't like the neck radius then maybe find a more comfortable neck with a satin finish and swap it out? Keep the stock neck pristine, but fit a neck that better fits your needs?

I'm maybe in the same boat. I generally prefer the aesthetics of vintage basses but love a modern neck, bigger frets, flatter radius and trussrod adjustment at the headstock. I don't mind amber binding though!
 
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#6
JimmyM said:
Can't say I regret doing it to my basses. Just light sanding, though...no need to eat through the finish.
Click to expand...

I've done it to a couple of my basses and the feel is much better and they don't feel near as sticky to me. My hand definitely moves easier on the ones I've knocked the finish down on some. Be aware it only takes a couple passes to get it where you want it. You can easily go through the poly if you aren't careful. The only thing really to consider is it going to damage the value of said bass. To me, I don't care. But if it is a legit collectors piece I'd think twice about it.
 
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#7
hi scyzoryk :)

scyzoryk said:
semi-glossy nitro/poly necks
Click to expand...

:laugh: Funny!

scyzoryk said:
would sanding the neck down with a scotch-brite pad offer any obvious benefits, like increasing the feel/speed?
Click to expand...

The scotch brite treatment won't change it for ever! It becomes a little less glossy (kinda semi glossy :D)

and after a while it becomes glossy again.

Give it a try! Then decide!

For a more permanent satin feel you can use steel wool.

The one that is used for funiture paint finishing jobs. (good hardware stores have that)

Take the neck off, if you don't want rusty steel wool in your pickup cavity.

(I know what I am talking about :D)


greetings


Wise(b)ass
 
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#8
The neck is 100% nitro, no poly in that one. I use a old pair of denim jeans that didn't fit. Cut it into a rag, rub the poopie out of the neck until it's hot then move on to a different spot. 4-5" sections at a time. Works great. For the more permanent fix, 0000 steel wool will do the trick. Just messy
 
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#10
Had a local luthier sand down a Korean Spector that was refinished with Polyurethane (terrible stuff). Did a great job. I smoothed it more with different grades of Scotch-Brite pads. Then hand rubbed Danish Oil in to seal. Great feel now. It was a fretless conversion.

My latest USA Spector build had a Matte Bahama blue finish. When I got it, it was rough. I polished that with some differing grades of Scotch-Brite pads. Was very careful, but she plays like greased lightening now.
 
#12
Axstar said:
If you don't like the neck radius then maybe find a more comfortable neck with a satin finish and swap it out? Keep the stock neck pristine, but fit a neck that better fits your needs?

I'm maybe in the same boat. I generally prefer the aesthetics of vintage basses but love a modern neck, bigger frets, flatter radius and trussrod adjustment at the headstock. I don't mind amber binding though!
Click to expand...
He wasn't talking about the neck radius.
He was talking about the finish on the back of the neck.
 
#14
Axstar said:
Read his post then read my post again. He's given two reasons he doesn't like the neck on his bass (radius and finish) and I've offered a pragmatic solution for tackling BOTH issues without devaluing his bass.
Click to expand...
I'd rather Scotch Brite it and get used to the neck width. You can get used to anything and a Scotch Brite pad is cheaper than a new neck with satin nitro finish.
 
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#15
All my basses have the neck lightly sanded.. My Gibson's are sanded a bit more,the finish becomes sticky more aggressively on them.. If you want it to play and enjoy ,do it.. If your a collector ,put it back in it's case and look at it till your ready to Cash it in.. I would do the first option if it were mine..:cool::thumbsup:
 
#18
Axstar said:
If you don't like the neck radius then maybe find a more comfortable neck with a satin finish and swap it out? Keep the stock neck pristine, but fit a neck that better fits your needs?

This 2x over......plus if you get to where you want to sell the bass then put the original one back on.
Click to expand...
 
#19
I prefer the feel of wood and not a slick finish on my basses.
However, my Ritter Cora 5 is the only one that's painted and it is slick. Funny, I think I like it but wood is king for me. No slips. As far as the width, no comment as I don't have a qualified opinion.
 

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