My MIJ 1993 (57'reissue) strat's poly vintage maple neck is extremely sticky!
My left hand, esp the thumb, always get stuck and can't move around smoothly.
This problem is bothering me a lot as it really decreased the playability.
Perhaps it's the gummy dirt, or maybe it's my easily sweaty hands...

However, I did try to use a clean rag damped with warm water
and wipe around the neck in circular motion repeatedly,
then use a dry microfiber + my warm moist breath and wipe it again.
Unfortunately, it seems like it didn't help much,
it's still extremely sticky as it is.

I did some research,
and I don't really want to use sandpaper / steel wool / lemon oil
as it might damage the maple finish.
Right now I'm thinking on getting a "talc bag" from bowling center,
as this may not damage the finish.
Has anyone ever tried this before?

Or does anyone have a better solution for "extremely sticky maple neck"?

Any Reply Would Be Highly Appreciated. THANK YOU. =D

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I'd wash your hands before play. If that doesn't help, wipe it with some kind of safe disinfectant. I find that the brand PawSafe works well. use one or 2 drops on a soft rag and wipe. If that doesn't work, let a pro handle it.

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1984 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster
1986 Peavey Envoy 110
1967 Kingston Acoustic

if you don't do as i've suggested a couple of times you will always have a sticky neck

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ok.. I guess the only solution for an extremely sticky maple neck
is to consider decreasing the resale value, and besides,
playability is way more important than the look,
as long as it doesn't damage the sound.

Now the only way is probably to take the gloss off and make it a satin finish.
BUT there are three options I got:
steel wool 0000 / 1000 grit sandpaper / scotch-brite pad
any reason why not to use which one or which one is good to use?

and how do I know when to stop when using them?
maybe it's better to just take it to a local tech who set up guitar?

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DO NOT SAND IT! Get the PawSafe first. Try it. I think they sell it at Petsmarts and other pet stores. it's safe for pretty much any surface and is environmentally friendly.

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1984 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster
1986 Peavey Envoy 110
1967 Kingston Acoustic

No sanding required! A urethane finish like your neck, is impervious to everything. It is plastic. Almost any chemical, aside from paint stripper, will not bother it. I would use a good polish and scrub it clean. Naptha (lighter fluid) will clean the guitar better than it was ever cleaned before! I would use the naptha to remove all gummed up dirt and residues, then follow with a good polish.

Finger ease. Look it up, buy it, use it. Just started using it and it is great!

+1 on that. Stuff works great.

Is this stuff useable for the back of the neck?

Yes. It makes it slicker than owl $#@!

try the talc, works for Jeff Beck, keeps it right by his amps
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeT1sXLzAko
does the LeBron James thing sometime during the set

+1 to HemiRam

I suggested the talc to him on another site. I use a talc bag I picked up at a bowling ally pro shop on my 50's tele to counter the sweaty hand syndrome. (also works on pool cues)

Jimmy, just so you understand, baby powder is pretty much just perfumed talc, and will also work. It'll make the back of a laquered neck a bit slicker without damage, and can be cleaned off easy enough as well.

i was gonna suggest a side order of waffles and sausage - well as long as you have maple syrup

Stop doing that, you'll go blind!

Anyway, +1 on FingerEase. Scotchbrite will just rough up the surface a little and might even make it more sticky and stuff will absorb into the finish.

If you overuse talcum it can lead to premature string death.

Are you sure it's a poly finish and not nitro?
The neck finish on my 72 Strat is poly and it never gets sticky. It's solid Maple.
Nitro can get sticky. If it's nitro and cured, you can clean it with Naptha (lighter fluid)

If the neck is poly and sticky, wash your hands before you play. I'd still go the Naptha route as others have suggested.

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