What's your preference finished vs unfinished necks

[hellaboogie]

Unfinished necks with no paint or clear coat sealant for a lack of better terms feel better to me.
Is there a downside to an unfinished neck, is it more susceptible to weather conditions?

 

[Code001]

What do you mean by finish? Nearly ever neck has some sort of finish on it. In fact, I can't think of any major manufacturer that doesn't have some sort of finish on their necks.

 

[colimofsmoke]

i like the "worn" or "faded" necks that dont have a huge layer of varnish on them. the plasticky feel of the varnish feels slow and sticky to me.

 

[hellaboogie]

What do you mean by finish? Nearly ever neck has some sort of finish on it. In fact, I can't think of any major manufacturer that doesn't have some sort of finish on their necks.

the back of the neck being sealed with clear coat, varnish, paint, ect.

 

[cyndicate]

Unfinished for me, but funny thing is a majority of the guitars I own have painted necks..

 

[Laura]

Unfinished.

I am working on taking down the clear coat on this one but I love this fiddle.

This one is perfect.

 

[Code001]

What do you mean by finish? Nearly ever neck has some sort of finish on it. In fact, I can't think of any major manufacturer that doesn't have some sort of finish on their necks.

the back of the neck being sealed with clear coat, varnish, paint, ect.

You'd have to actively take off the finish via some sort of sandpaper or chemical stripper. 0000 alone won't cut it for completely taking off a finish. If you're referring to that, then I don't recommend it. A neck should always have some sort of sealant on it. Tru-oil or Danish oil are good finishes for those wanting a neck that feels closer to raw wood.

 

[cyndicate]

Unfinished necks with no paint or clear coat sealant for a lack of better terms feel better to me.
Is there a downside to an unfinished neck, is it more susceptible to weather conditions?

I usually don't experience it since I live in So Cal, but I would think they are more susceptible to changes in humidity. Here's a blurb from the Music-Man FAQ

"Since the neck is unfinished, it can be more susceptible to humidity changes. An annual (or so) dose of gunstock oil will help to keep the neck maintained; we use and recommend Birchwood-Casey Tru-oil, but any good quality gunstock oil will work.Clean the neck first. Use a small amount of Tru-oil, leave it on for 5 minutes, then wipe it off with a paper towel. After that, apply Birchwood-Casey Gunstock Wax. Be sure to douse the paper towel with water before disposing of it! Read the wax and oil manufacturer's instructions regarding disposal of these used paper towels.
Birchwood-Casey products are available at most sporting goods or gun stores, or now you can order them direct. Their web address is http://www.birchwoodcasey.com.

 

[Code001]

I don't care what EBMM says, Tru-oil is a finish. It's quite hard once it dries, too.

 

[mchn13]

I did a couple coats of tung oil to the neck of my les paul, so it still feels unfinished but protects the wood from sweat, beer, bourbon, etc.....

 

[hellaboogie]

Unfinished necks with no paint or clear coat sealant for a lack of better terms feel better to me.
Is there a downside to an unfinished neck, is it more susceptible to weather conditions?

I usually don't experience it since I live in So Cal, but I would think they are more susceptible to changes in humidity. Here's a blurb from the Music-Man FAQ

"Since the neck is unfinished, it can be more susceptible to humidity changes. An annual (or so) dose of gunstock oil will help to keep the neck maintained; we use and recommend Birchwood-Casey Tru-oil, but any good quality gunstock oil will work.Clean the neck first. Use a small amount of Tru-oil, leave it on for 5 minutes, then wipe it off with a paper towel. After that, apply Birchwood-Casey Gunstock Wax. Be sure to douse the paper towel with water before disposing of it! Read the wax and oil manufacturer's instructions regarding disposal of these used paper towels.
Birchwood-Casey products are available at most sporting goods or gun stores, or now you can order them direct. Their web address is http://www.birchwoodcasey.com.

cool

 

[hellaboogie]

Unfinished.

I am working on taking down the clear coat on this one but I love this fiddle.

This one is perfect.

Nice, look super clean

 

[Aristocat]

If the neck has too much finish left over, I just take 2000 grit sandpaper and take it down a bit. The slightest amount does the trick for me and gives a new instrument that well broken in feel.

 

[rupe]

I have a few truly unfinished necks that I love...I just rub them down with a conditioning oil occasionally (Fret Dr). The drawback is that they are more susceptible to warpage and climate issues.

Like Code001 mentioned, linseed/tung/gunstock/danish/etc oils are true hard finishes...they aren't simply oiled wood. I've seen some that actually appeared to be varnish.

 

[Anonymous]

I have a few truly unfinished necks that I love...I just rub them down with a conditioning oil occasionally (Fret Dr). The drawback is that they are more susceptible to warpage and climate issues.

Like Code001 mentioned, linseed/tung/gunstock/danish/etc oils are true hard finishes...they aren't simply oiled wood. I've seen some that actually appeared to be varnish.

Man, I've been using Danish oil on unfinished necks for years and it is about the farthest thing from a true hard finish I've felt. I defy anyone to do a blindfolded test of an unfinished neck and one of the ones I have put the Danish oil on and tell me which is which...

Steve

 

[rupe]

I have a few truly unfinished necks that I love...I just rub them down with a conditioning oil occasionally (Fret Dr). The drawback is that they are more susceptible to warpage and climate issues.

Like Code001 mentioned, linseed/tung/gunstock/danish/etc oils are true hard finishes...they aren't simply oiled wood. I've seen some that actually appeared to be varnish.

Man, I've been using Danish oil on unfinished necks for years and it is about the farthest thing from a true hard finish I've felt. I defy anyone to do a blindfolded test of an unfinished neck and one of the ones I have put the Danish oil on and tell me which is which...

Steve

Send me two necks...I'll tell you It's all in how you apply it, but bottom line is that it IS a hard finish that seals the wood...you're probably just applying an uber-thin coat and/or sanding/steel wooling it quite a bit. Follow the directions on the can and see what you get.

 

[Shawn Lutz]

I prefer the oiled neck feel, tung or linseed.

 

[RG955TT]

I like the newer satin clears like Suhr uses, best of both worlds, sealed real good plus almost unoticeable drag on the neck, feels almost naked to me. more and more guitars even an inexpensive fender now are sporting that satin finish

 

[glassjaw7]

i like the "worn" or "faded" necks that dont have a huge layer of varnish on them. the plasticky feel of the varnish feels slow and sticky to me.

This for me as well.

 

[lyres requiem]

I like at MOST tung oil or dainish oil on my necks if at all possible. I've done builds where I finished the neck in nitro on like 5 guitars and I just flat out prefer the Oil based if anything.