One neck two finishes.

[rookosu]

I'm trying to build a custom neck that is roasted maple, but I want the headstock face to be painted black.  I had asked for gloss finish on the black paint (to match the body).
Because it's roasted maple, I want the rest unfinished, to feel like my 3 other roasted maple necks that I have and love.

Warmoth customer service has advised that if I want to have the warranty/return option valid, the neck needs to be all unfinished, or all finished. 
The explanation : "The problem with this is when one area of Maple is finished without the rest, an imbalance in the way the neck will accept and release moisture and how it responds to ambient conditions, opening the neck up to potential twisting or back-bowing over time.  The very few times we done this in the past, the customer had to agree to these terms: there is no warranty period, and the neck is not returnable, and once the build is in production it is not cancellable."

My first thought is that with roasted maple, it wouldn't be as big an issue because of what the roasting does to the neck, hence, eliminating the need for a finish.

So my question(s) is :
* Has anyone had a roasted maple neck done with a painted headstock?
* Has anyone had this similar issue, and what was the outcome?

Thanks!

 

[AirCap]

Just my opinion, but this policy by Warmoth has its roots as a CYA clause....

 

[Rick]

Go ahead take a chance.  :laughing11:

 

[musicispeace]

I know a guy who makes/sells his own solid body guitars (mostly to overseas customers) and is also an authorized repair tech for several major guitar brands. He feels the neck finish clause is largely CYA and that if a neck doesn't want to be a guitar neck its going to go south on your regardless of what is on it. Many of the really old Fenders I have seen have had all the finish worn off the back of the neck and they still were straight and playable. I don't make a ton of money so replacing a neck for me is an investment but if it were me I would just have them paint the headstock, get what you want, and worst case at some point you need another neck but chances are good you won't with roasted maple. I used to know Tommy at USACG when he owned it and he told me they had gotten back so few necks for twisting or warping etc that it was a very rare thing but that the finish stipulation for warranty was a standard industry thing.

 

[BigSteve22]

* Has anyone had a roasted maple neck done with a painted headstock?

I have a roasted maple neck on which I applied clear satin lacquer to the face of the headstock to bury a decal. Lacquer applied around the beginning of January, so far so good.  :dontknow:

 

[Fender.Fan]

I’ve also thought of having a roasted maple neck with matching headstock. If you find any pictures let me know!

 

[BigSteve22]

I’ve also thought of having a roasted maple neck with matching headstock. If you find any pictures let me know!

Don't know if this helps, but here it is:

Difference in tone is due to variations in lighting, both front and back are exactly the same color.

 

[Cagey]

I've done a couple/few roasted Maple necks the same way as above, where I put decals on and buried them, and so only ended up with finish on the headstock face. No problems so far.

Maple is normally somewhat hydroscopic, which is why it needs a finish to keep it from distorting as its moisture content changes. Roasting it eliminates that quality. American Specialty Hardwoods says this about it:

• Roasted wood is stable and resistant to humidity and temperature changes.
• Hydroscopic cellulose is sealed so wood resists warp and movement.
• Stiffness, strength, and integrity of the wood are maintained with no chemicals.
• Vibrational testing indicates roasted maple has clearer tone than regular maple.

So, it all makes sense. If the wood isn't absorbing/releasing moisture, what difference does it make if it's sealed off with finish, partially or otherwise?

 

[Rick]

Once a maple neck ages I imagine that it stablizes like a Stradivarius  I’ve played some real old instruments and the finishes were non existent.

 

[rookosu]

Thanks everyone.  I went ahead and accepted the clause. 

Roasted maple, ebony (black) board, white binding, stainless, black headstock face,  on a silverburst regal with white binding. 

YUM.  Now let the kick in the shorts waiting period commence!

 

[Rick]

Remember to post pics, I think it will be beautiful and I’m keen to know how it turns out.  If you have the time ...

 

[rookosu]

Remember to post pics, I think it will be beautiful and I’m keen to know how it turns out.  If you have the time ...

You bet.  It'd be a titanic effort not to.

 

[Fender.Fan]

I’m rebuilding a jaguar soon, and I’m debating having the roasted maple headstock be sprayed the same color as the body. Lake placid

 

[Cagey]

I think a matching headstock is an attractive thing. Very few of mine that way, though, as they're mostly figured or "exotic" woods that you wouldn't want to cover up. I suspect you'd see more of them (at least on guitars with bolt-on necks) if it didn't sort of dedicate the neck to the body. I'm sure most manufacturers and tinkerers would prefer to be able to move necks around as needed to any body it'll bolt to.

 

[amon]

If all you wanted was a black headstock face, I would have opted for an Ebony veneer instead of paint.

 

[Strat Avenger]

My Warmoth Strat neck has had 2 finishes (satin clear on fretboard and headstock face, Tru-Oil on back) since 2014. No problems whatsoever.

 

[BroccoliRob]

If all you wanted was a black headstock face, I would have opted for an Ebony veneer instead of paint.

Yo, that just blew my Mind. I love that idea