Completely raw/unfinished 1-piece Maple neck?

[Schneidas]

Anyone play a completely unfinished 1-piece Maple neck?

All my Maple necks are Satin finished by Warmoth, and I realy like this finish.
However, I was contemplating a completely unfinished neck this time around (I know this voids the warranty - but I really don't mind that).

Do I apply like a thin layer of Fret-Doctor, if I would want to oil-finish it? (that's the only oil I currently have here)

I played oilier woods (1-piece Rosewood and 1-piece Pau Ferro ) necks in the past, and remember loving the feel of those with no finish even more. Would raw Maple feel similarily woody?

 

[ragamuffin]

Is roasted maple out of the question? I ask because it doesn't require a finish

Fret Doctor fingerboard oil is just a "moisturizing"/cleaning oil, not a hardening oil finish like Tru Oil, tung oil, etc

Raw maple or roasted maple feels fantastic! Especially when you burnish/polish the shaft

 

[Schneidas]

I love Roasted Maple and have some of those unfinished.
However, for pure aesthetic reasons, I need a completely pale/white 1-piece Maple neck.
Otherwise, I'd be all over roasted!

 

[supertruper1988]

I recommend at least a thin oil finish like Charvel or EVH does. That’s feels about as natural as you can get.

 

[Schneidas]

I had a Charvel once and loved it. Could not tell if it was finished or not - the neck just felt great!
What oil would they use, you think?

 

[Rick]

Are you asking if you want to put on something like tung oil or tru-oil? I wouldn't leave maple naked, it would feel to skeevy. it doesn't have the natural oils oozing out like rosewood or wenge. Of course, those would gloss it up a little but wouldn't change the color. And as to the tru-oil it's not covered under warranty. That said, put on 15 coats and never had a problem.

 

[Schneidas]

Ok, I will try Tru-oil then. Whatever is easiest to apply.
Any particular brand you can recommend? I will have to look for it in Europe

 

[ragamuffin]

Tru Oil is made by a brand called Birchwood Casey as a gunstock finish. It's very available in the U.S., but I don't know how easy it would be to get in Europe. Crimson Guitars in the UK has penetrating guitar finishing oil that's supposed to be similar and might be easier to get if you can't get Tru Oil

 

[stratamania]

Birchwood Casey Tru Oil is readily available in the UK and Europe. It is what I use when doing Tru Oil.

 

[teleme01]

If one would choose to void the warranty and leave maple natural, what kinda damage would i expect? Warping? Fretboard sprouts?

 

[Rick]

For me it's how it feels raw. On a roasted maple neck you can burnish it and it feels slick. Raw plain maple just doesn't feel right.

 

[rockandroller]

If I wanted to 'oil-finish' a raw maple neck I would go with OSMO Polyx-Oil (Just 2 coats is perfect!)

 

[rockandroller]

If one would choose to void the warranty and leave maple natural, what kinda damage would i expect? Warping? Fretboard sprouts?

Warping (well, crazy unwanted changes in neck relief) for sure, if you live on a tiny island in the Georgia Strait. (I have personal experience with this!)
If the neck was really well quarter-sawn then probably not "killer warping", but for sure the neck will move a lot as the seasons change...

 

[teleme01]

Thanks, I have always been that one that ask why. I live in south louisiana and we have a share of humidity

 

[Schneidas]

Thanks to all of ya helpful folks for all the tips and suggestions. I will try the true oil treatment and order the neck unfinished.
Cheers brothers

 

[Strat Avenger]

It will warp without a finish. I finish the back of my maple necks with Tru-Oil, lightly brush with 0000 steel wool, and then apply gun stock wax. It feels just like raw wood, but smoother, and it's protected from dirt and humidity.
I haven't used it on the maple fretboards (I have those sprayed with polyurethane clear) but it certainly can be.
That''s my recommendation, or roasted maple.