2 out my 3 have had the scotchbrite treatment, only waiting on the 3rd because I'm lazy.
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I use those too! Really work for me.
I think he was talking about making the back of the neck satin.
How much scrubbing did it take, really having to dig in or just lightly polishing it? Jim2 out my 3 have had the scotchbrite treatment, only waiting on the 3rd because I'm lazy.
yeah, it's not damage or relicing, it just takes a bit of the sticky gloss off, "satinizes" the finish a bit, ultra fine tiny invisible "scratches" - makes it even faster to play, especially on my M3. I don't seem to mind the gloss so much on the fretless, but I'll probably give that a buff too.
Not on my V7 (at least not yet) - I haven't had any "grabbing" issues yet. If I do, I will take some scotch brite pads and/or steel wool to it.
I have done it to my Ibanez SR-705. Nothing to it & it does the job.
I just do a medium polish force on it, like I was using a scratch-free pad on a teflon frying pan, seems about right. like you're polishing it with a cloth to get finger oil off, but with the pad instead. certainly not for everyone, I guess, but it works for me.
Yeah, I know... that is, I got that the finish would be sanded off, I don't know what more goes into a "satin" finish than that... bholder and some other(s) I think, has/have done it... I guess I am just squeamish about permanent modifications... maybe if done by someone I'd trust more than me.
the only thing with steel wool around a finished bass - tape off the pickups! magnets love that stuff!
the goal isn't to take the poly off, it's just to give it some texture to break up the gloss stickiness - not looking to wear through, just a light buff, doesn't really change the finish thickness at all. I was nervous the first time too, but it's easy, just don't go at it like a road scraper, you'll be fine. start with a light touch, find what you like - or not, whatever's comfy.
the goal isn't to take the poly off, it's just to give it some texture to break up the gloss stickiness - not looking to wear through, just a light buff, doesn't really change the finish thickness at all. I was nervous the first time too, but it's easy, just don't go at it like a road scraper, you'll be fine. start with a light touch, find what you like - or not, whatever's comfy.
So, is appearance basically the same afterwards?
Same here - medium force is enough. No need to overkill it. Also - the green Scotch Brite can be found in at least 3 different coarseness (es). I usually stick to the medium or light and stay away from the Heavy Scour. No set in stone rules - it's more of a feel thing. You'll know when it starts feeling right - less "grabby".
I usually follow up any initial abrasive sanding with something smooth like 0000 steel fine (super fine grade) - not necessary but really smooths out any tiny abrasion marks afterwards. As bholder said - be sure to tape off the pickups if you hit it with any steel wool. Don't want any wayward steel wool particles getting attracted to the pickups. If some do get stuck to the pickups - most any kind of tape can be used to grab & lift off those particles.
It's also a good idea to make a tape mask perpendicular to the neck just below the nut or on that line to make it look clean. Someone posted a pic of that here on this thread somewhere. Looks clean!
This is starting to sound like my first datethe goal isn't to take the poly off, it's just to give it some texture to break up the gloss stickiness - not looking to wear through, just a light buff, doesn't really change the finish thickness at all. I was nervous the first time too, but it's easy, just don't go at it like a road scraper, you'll be fine. start with a light touch, find what you like - or not, whatever's comfy.
Jim
Ill probably taking a scotch brite pad to mine because I cant stand gloss on my necks. Is there a specific color of scotch brite? I know they come in different colors for different kinds.
I think I'd want to try this on a bass I am not so fond of, before going at my V7...
well, less glossy, more satin, but basically yes, since it's still a transparent finish, you don't see the scratches, in my mind, it puts more focus on the wood grain, no odd reflections - it's anti-glare!
Most people use the green Scotch Brite pads (this about 600-grit in sandpaper equivalent) - coarseness is up to the person, but I would stay away from their roughest offerings & stick to the something in a medium or light coarseness. Here's an Invalid Link Removed on some of the colors/grit equivalents. Just use better judgement with whatever you use - chances are if it looks way too rough to be using in the first place, it probably is.
I had a few friends over who are fellow bass players at my church. They have had very limited to no time with the Sire previously so I let them put it through the paces the other night. They were both very impressed and one of them texted me later and said I got him "hooked". Lol. He said he's going to try and start saving to get a v7 fiver. He also said I should start getting kickbacks from Sire with as many people as I've gotten interested in the basses! LOL. I've only convinced two (now possibly three) people to buy one. No biggie, right?? 
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I had a few friends over who are fellow bass players at my church. They have had very limited to no time with the Sire previously so I let them put it through the paces the other night. They were both very impressed and one of them texted me later and said I got him "hooked". Lol. He said he's going to try and start saving to get a v7 fiver. He also said I should start getting kickbacks from Sire with as many people as I've gotten interested in the bases! LOL. I've only convinced two (now possibly three) people to buy one. No biggie, right??
I know that companies whose gear you can't just try out at GC-- such as Sire basses, or Barefaced cabs-- really do understand the value of the word-of-mouth-driven promotion that TB provides. Both Alex at BF and Mickey at Sire have more or less acknowledged as much.
Plus th scotchbrite treatment isn't permanent, you are taking almost no finish off, and you could buff it to a shine after if you wanted to go back.
