A stupid question perhaps (neck content)

GavRichList

The biggest difference, and the thing that elevates my 62 Jag above anything modern I can lay my hands on, is the feel of the neck. Herein lies my stupid question.

Is there any way to replicate the feeling of 50+ years of wear on a modern neck? Is it just a case of sanding the neck until all of the finish is removed? Is it something a gifted luthier can achieve, or is there really no substitute for a billion hours of hand grime?

randomhandclaps

GavRichList said:

a billion hours of hand grime?

I used to like that guitar but that bit there made me be a little bit sick in my mouth!

GavRichList

Hahahaha, it's actually a clean neck, I was merely illustrating a point.

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff193/guitarsforminnaars/Mobile Uploads/FDD98DE5-3F7D-46B8-8347-0E0F880B593A.jpg

randomhandclaps

When you say feel though, in this instance you're referring to the texture (so to speak) rather than the shape aren't you?  In which case if you really want to get a similar feeling it could be worth going the sand and wax route.  When I had Dave Kilminster as a tutor it was always the first thing he would do to every new guitar.  They always felt better (or slicker - so it's subjective) but it always seemed a brave move and sometime a shame on a new guitar and when I was a poor student I wasn't willing to take the gamble.  For me however a well played, or sanded neck plays/feel better.

GavRichList

Yep, nothing to do with the shape, I do mean the smoothness. None of the stickiness of a new neck. The neck shape of my new AVRI is great, but it still has the glossy feel to the neck, even though it's nitro. I can't help but wonder if it's worth asking Howard (the Leicester guitar genius) to take the finish off the back of it for me? Depreciation isn't a consideration; I intend to keep the bugger.

GavRichList

So then, this "sand and wax route" of which you speak.....?

Skodadad

All my guitars are sanded and waxed, 400 grit wet and dry followed by a very light briwax. I only take the sheen off with wet and dry till it matt's then light wax. I used to do similar with my snooker cue when I played but with pledge, gives a lovely feel to the neck with none of that sticky feel.