Finish question. Fender type neck finish

[dmraco]

My most current build request is a Fender like finish.  This is the non lacquer type finish they have.  I went to the store today and some the necks were real shiny with a lacquer or poly type finish.  And other felt like nothing at all.  Are the oiled??

Thanks

 

[alterbridgefan]

The ones that felt like nothing were probably lacquer. Similar to Warmoth's satin nitro.

 

[Cagey]

No, oil isn't much of a finish, and about the only way to get lacquer on anything is to find a DIY guy as the manufacturers don't have time for that noise. Fender (and everyone else) uses a satin urethane. Pretty durable stuff, but it'll get glossy with very little wear. If like that sort of finish, what you really want is a raw neck that's been burnished. For raw woods similar to Maple in performance/character, I'd go with either Canary, Afra or Bubinga, in that order. They're a bit darker in color, but they sound close enough for rock 'n' roll and feel great. Plus, they'll stay that way with no work on your part. Saves you a $100 or so on a finish, too.

 

[DavyDave53]

Does the Warmoth's Clear Satin Nitro finish on a neck get shiny and annoying?

 

[Cagey]

Yes. It's nothing Warmoth does, it's just the nature of the beast. I'm not sure they even use nitro anymore, but it doesn't matter. The poly lasts longer, but the end result is the same. As for annoying, that's a subjective thing that depends on the user. Personally, I don't have a problem even with deliberately glossy finishes, but that's just me. I have dry hands. But, given a choice, the raw neck is the way to go. If you've never had one, it's difficult to believe they're a good idea. I know I resisted it at first. But, once you take the plunge... man, I'm not kidding you. They're great.

 

[DavyDave53]

My first Warmoth neck was a huge Wenge/Wenge Pro. Very nice.  I really like it.  I haven't sanded it, I like the feel of it as is.  It tamed a Tele with a nasty bite.

For the next neck I needed a brighter neck.  Unfortunately, there were not any large necks that didn't need finishing in stock.  In fact, I couldn't find anything that was ready to go that was a 1-3/4 width with a fatback contour and stainless frets.

So I settled.  (Sort of like my second marriage...)  I wound up with a Maple/Ebony Pro with a 1-11/16 width, fatback and stainless 6150s.  And yes, it has Clear Satin Nitro finish.  It should arrive on Monday.

It's going on a guitar that I plan to play the heck out of.  I can deal with shiny but I don't want gummy or sticky.

 

[Cagey]

My first Warmoth neck was a huge Wenge/Wenge Pro. Very nice.  I really like it.  I haven't sanded it, I like the feel of it as is.  It tamed a Tele with a nasty bite.

For the next neck I needed a brighter neck.  Unfortunately, there were not any large necks that didn't need finishing in stock.  In fact, I couldn't find anything that was ready to go that was a 1-3/4 width with a fatback contour and stainless frets.

So I settled.  (Sort of like my second marriage...)  I wound up with a Maple/Ebony Pro with a 1-11/16 width, fatback and stainless 6150s.  And yes, it has Clear Satin Nitro finish.  It should arrive on Monday.

It's going on a guitar that I plan to play the heck out of.  I can deal with shiny but I don't want gummy or sticky.

That should be an excellent neck. For many years, Ebony over Maple was my go-to choice until I got my mind right about Warmoth's offerings. I still have two of them - A Carvin Bolt and my first Warmoth. Really can't go wrong with that combination. Can't imagine anything brighter, either. Not that there's anything wrong with that - it's my preference. You can always filter out highs if you need to.

Gummy/sticky is really a hygiene thing, though. At least, in my experience. Keep your hands clean and dry, and the neck won't fight you. Also, don't treat the neck with anything. All those miracle-cure-in-a-can things are a tax on the stupid. No wax, no oil, no preservative, no "string-ease", no fingers full of chicken grease, no lemon this, that or the next thing, no pizza... the list is long. Clean hands, no additives. Neck's always perfect. You still have to clean it because your hands will exude some oils that will build up, but it's not like that's a major maintenance issue. Wipe it down with some naptha when you change strings and call it a love story. Much more often than that and you're liable to dry it out.

 

[DavyDave53]

Cagey, thanks for the answers.  I feel better about satin finish now.

 

[dmraco]

Cagey...you I agree about the unfinished neck woods.    Hoping for $$ for Bacote!!!  This is what I will have for my neck personal build

This one is for a customer.  HE wanted Birdseye maple.