Sanding Down Gloss On JB Neck

[21Pastorius12]

The question of this post is; 'Out of curiosity how many of the Jazz Bass owners on TB have or do sand the neck to remove the gloss finish'?

I know many do, but I thought it would be interesting to see just how popular it is.
This afternoon I gave my Jazz Bass the treatment I give any bass that has a gloss neck finish, I sanded it down to get rid of it! I cant stand the finish on a neck and find it slows down my playing. Even if my hands are not sweating I still find it slows my fretting hand down when moving around the neck.

It had to go!

 

[jd56hawk]

 

[Bevan777]

I’m interested in this, I have mainly gloss necks on my jazz basses, i don’t tend to find it slows me down, and I am a noodler.

However I’ve got to the point where I think anything that slows me down and stops me overplaying, is actually a good thing.

 

[Thummel]

I usually don’t mind a gloss finish and I prefer a satin finish. That said I have a 62 Reissue P with a laquer finish, which for some reason would create these little balls of laquer in my fretting hand if I was sweating. This is the only instrument I’ve seen that did this. So, as you I removed the finish from the back of the neck. I’m screwed if I ever want to sell it, although I guess it might qualify as mojo relic’d and actually add value. Any way, I don’t plan on ever selling it as it’s a total keeper.

 

[Smith357]

I use the gray Scotchcbrite pads used in autobody paint work on all my necks.

https://www.amazon.com/TJR©-Scuff-Pads-10-Pack-Multipurpose/dp/B0BMLQ9NHB/ref=sr_1_51?keywords=scotch-brite+pads&qid=1698001041&sr=8-51

 

[J Wilson]

For me, this would not be a choice I'd make.

I usually don't have any problems with a gloss finish going sticky on me, but when it has, a great alternative is a paste or spray wax like Meguiars or Mother's. A few coats, you slide effortlessly.

 

[Thumpin6string]

I use the gray Scotchcbrite pads used in autobody paint work on all my necks.

https://www.amazon.com/TJR©-Scuff-Pads-10-Pack-Multipurpose/dp/B0BMLQ9NHB/ref=sr_1_51?keywords=scotch-brite+pads&qid=1698001041&sr=8-51

These work great and are totally reversable doing a quick buff with some polishing compound.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Scotchbrite is a non-permanent mod, as the gloss will return with play. It also will give the effect of a nice satin finish.

 

[Grinderman]

3M Scotch-Brite 7447, general purpose, maroon.

 

[RattleSnack]

Never had problem with any kind of finish - high gloss, saten, bare wood with or without texture. Took me a while to even understand why high gloss would be a problem for someone - it's because of sweat, right? Well I don't sweat much, partly because of weather here, partly because I'm not palm grabber (I play with fingertips), partly because I'm not chunky.
So no, never sanded down finish on any neck ever.

 

[bassdude51]

Just Jazz Bass necks? What about other basses with gloss necks?

Anyway, in theory, a bass player is supposed to pivot the back of the neck with the thumb and not the full palm of hand. So, a gloss finish should not be any kind of hinderance if playing "correctly".

Gloss finishes never bothered or bother me. Although I do like the feel of an all rosewood neck with no finish. Of course, it is not a good idea to have an unfinished maple neck. Warpage.

 

[Ostie]

Gloss doesn’t bother me, but if it did I would use a Scotch pad, because it’s reversible. It could be buffed back to gloss.

 

[21Pastorius12]

Just Jazz Bass necks? What about other basses with gloss necks?

Anyway, in theory, a bass player is supposed to pivot the back of the neck with the thumb and not the full palm of hand. So, a gloss finish should not be any kind of hinderance if playing "correctly".

Gloss finishes never bothered or bother me. Although I do like the feel of an all rosewood neck with no finish. Of course, it is not a good idea to have an unfinished maple neck. Warpage.

I say Jazz bass necks as I only own Jazz basses..... also I am a fingertip player think Jaco style and the problem I found was mainly my thumb sticking as I pivot. Never had any issues with warping of any necks when sanded.

 

[JRA]

It had to go!

i hear ya!

'Out of curiosity how many of the Jazz Bass owners on TB have or do sand the neck to remove the gloss finish'?

i avoided painted/finished necks for most of my years, but ever since i started assembling axes from parts, i bought a few painted/coated necks and have found that it just doesn't bother me like it used to bother me --- or as i remember it...could've been mostly my own head game. it's also possible that old men aren't as sticky as some of you youngsters. so, i'm less picky because i'm less sticky. and TBH, i'm more likely to be bothered by a 'sticky strings' experience in some circumstances.

anyway, i have one J-bass, i left the gloss black finish on the back of the neck. i have other necks with clear gloss. i'm ok with the idea, apparently.*

but i'm with the group experts: just knock the gloss off a bit and see if that remedies the 'feel' issue.



* i sweat profusely when i'm sweating, and when i am: the moisture makes my thumb slippery on the gloss surface, but sticky on the round wound strings.

 

[21Pastorius12]

i hear ya!


i avoided painted/finished necks for most of my years, but ever since i started assembling axes from parts, i bought a few painted/coated necks and have found that it just doesn't bother me like it used to bother me --- or as i remember it...could've been mostly my own head game. it's also possible that old men aren't as sticky as some of you youngsters. so, i'm less picky because i'm less sticky. and TBH, i'm more likely to be bothered by a 'sticky strings' experience in some circumstances.

anyway, i have one J-bass, i left the gloss black finish on the back of the neck. i have other necks with clear gloss. i'm ok with the idea, apparently.*

but i'm with the group experts: just knock the gloss off a bit and see if that remedies the 'feel' issue.



* i sweat profusely when i'm sweating, and when i am: the moisture makes my thumb slippery on the gloss surface, but sticky on the round wound strings.

Sticky youngsters haha !! I found that it affects mostly my thumb when I move around it becomes uncomfortable like its sticky, I anchor my thumb but lightly so there is freedom to move around.
Gloss black sounds nice though!

 

[Tommy V]

i've always used 0000 steel wool.. remove the neck, if possible.. mask the pickups if not.

 

[petermwright]

I’m not particularly troubled by gloss necks, but I did do this recently to my Squier fretless Jazz. I don’t find it makes a big difference, it’s just that tiny bit nicer.
I wet sanded with 600 grit.

 

[KellyC]

I may have had 1 experience in 40 years of playing where the neck finish was even a minor annoyance while playing. If I have a neck that I can set up super low without buzz, and that doesn't have any dead spots or hot spots, I'm not touching the finish.

 

[TheReceder]

I've got a 50 year old jazz with a perfect neck. Not a nick on it. Gloss has never been a problem.

 

[J Wilson]

There are polishes made specifically for guitar that I would trust more than an automotive wax, unless the car wax is a pure carnuba wax, which is plant-based.

Many car waxes have mild abrasives and/or cleaning agents, plus many “waxes” these days are actually ceramic formulas that bond to the surface.

I would never sand a bass that I might sell in the future, or had collectible value. I’ve had good luck with Gibson guitar polish for easing the stickiness of those Fender re-issue nitro necks, so that’s what I’d do.

Agreed.

Ya got to be careful that it's wax and not a wax polish or some other similar wording: That does indeed contain tiny grit.

I've used various Meguiar's products for years for this sort of thing without incident, but you do need to be certain to get the right formulas.