Dark stains on a maple neck

[Nelson Suniaga]

Hello everyone, this is my first post (if it's duplicated just give me the link to it).

I've been seeing two dark stains (one bigger than the other) in the maple neck of my Fender P-Bass 77, since the day I bought it (seven years ago), but through the years I've noticed those dark stains has been growing, but in the middle of each one the wood is paler, looking dry. I've been googling about cases like mine, and I think the cause is the use of polish based on lemon juice.

So, basically I have two doubts: is the wood damaged? if that is the case, how can I restore the maple?.

Thanks in advance for any explanation.

 

[Oren Hudson]

Not supposed to use lemon on maple fret-boards, but I'm not sure what the result would be if you do. Basically, if the problem does not affect the playability, I'd just rock it like it is and not worry about it. Gives it patina, IMO.

 

[Nelson Suniaga]

Not supposed to use lemon on maple fret-boards, but I'm not sure what the result would be if you do. Basically, if the problem does not affect the playability, I'd just rock it like it is and not worry about it. Gives it patina, IMO.

Yeah, that's what I would like to think, a stain is just that, but the fact the stain keeps getting bigger and bigger and the center is palers make me worry about it.

 

[bolophonic]

I'd stop using whatever it is you are using to clean the neck.

 

[Oren Hudson]

I have older basses that a similar look/discoloration that is the result of many years of playing. I guess that we could throw that in the mix too. Again, if it is not deteriorating nor affecting the play, let it ride.

 

[Nelson Suniaga]

I'd stop using whatever it is you are using to clean the neck.

I've never used anything to clean the neck, as I said, the stain was there when I bought it, like seven years ago.

 

[BassGreaser]

I agree with others that say if it's playing fine and the neck is staying straight, I wouldn't worry about it.

There are more important things in life to worry about than a strained neck.

 

[lee m]

Using a cheap guitar stand stained the back of my bass neck, could that be the issue?

 

[bolophonic]

I've never used anything to clean the neck, as I said, the stain was there when I bought it, like seven years ago.

The neck isn't structurally damaged or anything. It wasn't entirely clear to me from your first post who had applied the lemon oil. If the finish has worn down to bare wood, the grain will get dirty no matter what. My '75 Precision has some of that going on, too.

 

[Nelson Suniaga]

Using a cheap guitar stand stained the back of my bass neck, could that be the issue?

I don't think so, it looks like the stains was caused for hand's sweat.

 

[lee m]

I guess if it is playable it nothing to worry about. Though I had a 03 mim strat that did have staining as you described, the guitar was 10 yr old when I acquired it.

 

[two fingers]

To me, it just looks like the lighter areas are caused by playing.

Is this bass somewhat neck heavy? Does it neck dive on you? The reason I'm asking it that the meat of my hands rarely touches the bottom of my neck unless I'm playing a really neck heavy bass. Then I'm forced to hold it up while playing. If that is the case, perhaps you could invest in a wide leather strap with the under side still rough. (Trust me. They are a little stiff at first but really do wear in quickly and become quite comdortable.) That will keep you from resting the neck in your hand so much and allow your fretting hand much more flexibility and ease of motion. Plus, you will no longer be contributing to that mono you have going there.

Looks like you may be a bit of a thumb wrapper too (or maybe the previous owner was). Same deal. Put your thumb on the back of the neck rather than wrapping it around and it will stain less as well as your technique improving.

I get that it could have been the last guy as well.

Either way, I dig that neck. Looks "lived in".

 

[Nelson Suniaga]

To me, it just looks like the lighter areas are caused by playing.

Is this bass somewhat neck heavy? Does it neck dive on you? The reason I'm asking it that the meat of my hands rarely touches the bottom of my neck unless I'm playing a really neck heavy bass. Then I'm forced to hold it up while playing. If that is the case, perhaps you could invest in a wide leather strap with the under side still rough. (Trust me. They are a little stiff at first but really do wear in quickly and become quite comdortable.) That will keep you from resting the neck in your hand so much and allow your fretting hand much more flexibility and ease of motion. Plus, you will no longer be contributing to that mono you have going there.

Looks like you may be a bit of a thumb wrapper too (or maybe the previous owner was). Same deal. Put your thumb on the back of the neck rather than wrapping it around and it will stain less as well as your technique improving.

I get that it could have been the last guy as well.

Either way, I dig that neck. Looks "lived in".

Well, I dig the neck too, I like that "lived in", "vintage" or "worn road" appereance, I kind of hate to change old pieces for new ones, like I said my concerns were on the wood neck, if the stains are completely normal then I just let it go, but I need solid information about why the wood is OK, that's it.

By the way, I don't think the P-Bass neck is heavy, and I have a Fender cotton strap, so is bass position is always very steady. The diving thing with the neck never was a problem with the P-Bass, but it was with the Epiphone EB-3 (that headstock is really heavy!) and the strap was made of nylon (made for a guitar, not for bass guitar, I think).

 

[gln1955]

That's the color of MOJO.

People pay good money to replicate that.

 

[PortlandBass77]

Very common on older maple necks (I have had 2 basses that have this, a 1980 Peavey T-45 and a 1989 Peavey Fury). There is nothing I know of that can prevent or 'fix' this as it just how maple naturally ages. Personally it doesn't bother me as it is purely cosmetic.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

I have a 79 Ibanez roadstar II fretless bass with a maple fingerboard with the same issue. Mine happened from playing it for long time. The acid from your hand causes that. I refinished the neck but the look stays the same. I like the look a lot btw.

Edit: maybe it's not the acid but whatever you have in your sweat.

 

[Watchootognbout]

Some don't like funk and grunge.
Baking soda and water?
Just a guess.

 

[Bass_Thumper]

Is there any finish left on the fretboard where the stains are? This is usually just caused by the finish wearing out and your hand oils and sweat going into the wood rather than on top of the finish. As far as using Lemon Oil on a maple board, you can do it if your board was finished with oil rather than urethane/polyurethane but that's not done on any mass markets maple boards that I know of besides maybe EBMM. I have a StingRay and can't tell if it's the same finish on the fretboard as the oil/wax on the back of the neck. I haven't had it long enough to know, just the usual finger funk but no staining or wear. Either way, no lemon oil on fender maple boards.

Looks like mojo to me.

 

[sissy kathy]

If you manage to get the stains out, or if you decide to live with them, refinish that neck. I consider that a mistake to finish maple with anything that doesn't provide a waterproof seal, shellac, varnish, poly or nitro will provide the seal necessary to prevent staining like you are experiencing. The neck finish should also be touched up whenever you notice either the beginning of staining or the finish lifting.

 

[Blankandson]

My ash body had similar stains and a local luthier told me that if I sanded the finish off the stain would continue to rise to the surface for several days. Which it did. Three days to be exact. I just kept sanding with 400 grit about every 4 hours for three days and it suddenly quit. Haven't had to touch it any more and it's clean. Of course it now has no finish but it looks and plays fine so I don't sweat it! Literally.