USA Tele - Sticky Neck Finish, any suggestions?

spacecake7 · 2011-08-12T17:15:35+00:00

I need some advise on the sticky finish of my telecaster neck. It feels like there is glue on the neck, makes it uncomfortable to play. I`ve been playing mus...

USA Tele - Sticky Neck Finish, any suggestions?

AlanRatcliffe

Chad Adam Browne wrote: Do it...Please just do it...You bought the guitar to play it not to look after some completely unfounded investment value, it'll play more like the way you want it and you'll be bad ass 8)

+1. Plus it's easy to buff up to a gloss again. Modern finishes can take quite a lot of deglossing before they wear through (don't believe me? Try remove a neck finish with 0000 steel wool - see how long it takes you ?).

singemonkey

The nitro on my old Gibson's neck was sticky at first. It actually put me off the guitar for quite a while as it felt quite difficult to play. Now though, it has worn smooth and I don't have this problem at all. Is that normal? Alan, you seemed to imply it would get worse over time rather than better.

AlanRatcliffe

An unsanded and unbuffed finish will feel very sticky indeed because the surface is perfectly smooth thanks to the way the surface of the paint cures (this is the usual cause of the sticky neck problem). Sanding it flat and buffing up again leaves minute scratches, too small to see easily, but enough to cure the stickiness.

Your hands actually abrade the finish on a neck gradually similarly to a fine polishing compound, in fact, if you degloss a neck, your hands gradually buff it up to a gloss again, but never to the perfectly smooth level of a fresh finish.

tonerider

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: Most of the time when someone refers to a "sticky" finish it's just they are not used to the drag from a high gloss finish. Especially if you are coming from a history of matt finishes like the Music man oil finishes. It's easy to fix by simply matting the surface with fine steel wool or water paper (anything from 600 - 1000 grit).

+10

Even 400 grit works like a charm!

Reinhard

Singe the nitro should cure, taking the sticky feeling away. Otherwise hit it with Gibson polish, gives a glass like smooth feeling. They have some at Marshall's. Cheap too.

singemonkey

Reinhard wrote: Singe the nitro should cure, taking the sticky feeling away. Otherwise hit it with Gibson polish, gives a glass like smooth feeling. They have some at Marshall's. Cheap too.

Nah. Problem already sorted. The interesting thing is though that the guitar was already 12 years old then. Presumably it had just barely been played at all. It's fine now though after a bit of playing.

Reinhard

When I got a brand new LP std the neck was sticky as well. Plays sorts it out like you said. I do like the slippery feel the gibbo polish gives you though, you really have to feel it. Has a bit of nitro in it as well.

Malkav

Reinhard wrote: I do like the slippery feel the gibbo polish gives you though, you really have to feel it. Has a bit of nitro in it as well.

At this point in time I really have to ask if Gibson polish is endorsing you, cause you're sure as hell doing all you can to recommend the hell out of it on this forum ?

Reinhard

? I wish they would.
I went from someone who never polishes his guitars to having polished all of them. Not to make them look like they are in showroom condition, because they sure as hell have wear on them. I just love the feel of the neck when it's that smooth.
I suppose any guitar polish probably does the same, but I feel about this stuff like I feel about Fret Doctor, I won't use anything else. Especially with a nitrocellulose finish finish where you never know what is going to have a nasty reaction with it. If I am not mistaken Singe's LP has a nitro finish and would definitely benefit.

But I'll stop mentioning it ?

I only want to plug one more product.
Srixon Z-star Gold golf balls. They cost a lot, but they are awesome 8)

Now I am done.

And back on topic, I won't take steel wool to a guitar neck if you have "non-invasive" techniques available. Especially on a USA fender after seeing what they cost over here.

shaunf

I bought some Virtuoso cleaner and polish online and polished both my LP's with it. Absolutely amazing stuff. The guys on MLP highly recommend it even for vintage instruments because the polish and cleaner is totally non abrasive. It's honestly the best cleaner and polish I've ever used. You should try some.

PS: also a big Fret Doctor fan. Great stuff.

Reinhard

shaunf wrote: I bought some Virtuoso cleaner and polish online and polished both my LP's with it. Absolutely amazing stuff. The guys on MLP highly recommend it even for vintage instruments because the polish and cleaner is totally non abrasive. It's honestly the best cleaner and polish I've ever used. You should try some.

PS: also a big Fret Doctor fan. Great stuff.

I have heard good things about Virtuoso, just never got round to ordering some. Thanks for the heads up.

shaunf

Well I bought a couple of extra bottles so if you're ever inclined to want to try some, I'm sure I could assist. Also got a spare full 60ml bottle of fret doctor.

spacecake7

nicovlogg wrote: Just for interests sake, which telebration model have you got? Haven't seen any locally.

the sunburst one with flame maple top and maple neck..

I did sand the neck and chipped off the gloss finish, thanks for the advice Alan, now it plays smoothly. ?

Kalcium

shaunf wrote: Well I bought a couple of extra bottles so if you're ever inclined to want to try some, I'm sure I could assist. Also got a spare full 60ml bottle of fret doctor.

Any chance I could buy that extra fret doctor off you? ?

Norman86

tolga! wrote:
nicovlogg wrote: Just for interests sake, which telebration model have you got? Haven't seen any locally.
the sunburst one with flame maple top and maple neck..

I did sand the neck and chipped off the gloss finish, thanks for the advice Alan, now it plays smoothly. ?

My question is where you got one??

spacecake7

Norman86 wrote:
tolga! wrote:
nicovlogg wrote: Just for interests sake, which telebration model have you got? Haven't seen any locally.
the sunburst one with flame maple top and maple neck..

I did sand the neck and chipped off the gloss finish, thanks for the advice Alan, now it plays smoothly. ?

My question is where you got one??

toms sandton