I have this cheap strat copy with a really white looking maple neck and would like to know how to tint it so it looks similar to a vintage neck.Any one ever try this?Could you use a amber colored spray tint?

Hi angelripper1: yes, several luthiers' suppliers have aerosols of amber tinted lacquer - but I wouldn't use those because they are likely to be nitrocellulose which may not be ideal over the polyurethane finish your neck probably has.

Better is to Google sellers of polyurethane lacquer (it will be called varnish in most other contexts) and find one that is tinted. It does exist, because I have some. In my part of the world Behlen make that product. Stewart-MacDonald stock some Behlen items, though not necessarily that one. You could also try Googling Plasti-kote.

Tinted polyurethane is out there: you can find it if you try.

If your neck has a rosewood fingerboard you must mask that: otherwise, spray everything, frets and all (which is how Fender finish necks). Two coats a day, up to maybe four coats depending on the tint. Scrape the lacquer off the frets as soon as it is touch dry.

Then leave the neck for a good couple of weeks (regardless what it says on the lacquer tin). When you are ready you can rub it lightly all over to de-nib, including between the frets, with 2000 grit wet-and-dry paper, and then buff the whole thing to the level of gloss you require with automotive T-Cut or similar.

Or just learn to like a pale colored neck.

Good luck - C

Nah, not if it's a reasonably thin coat over an existing reasonably thin coat. This ain't a Custom Shop neck we're talking about, and we're talking polyurethane here, not gloopy polyester. Urethane, especially from an aerosol, comes out the can very thin.



Why? As it happens I do know of an excellent American handbuilder of S and T-type guitars who finishes his maple fingerboard necks before fretting them. But that is unusual - and controversial. Some people feel that not lacquering on top of the frets means their edges are not sealed and moisture can therefore get in beneath the metal and interfer with the timber. That's a very "fine" argument, mind you.

Still, Fender and most others finish their maple fingerboard necks by spraying over the frets and then scraping the lacquer off the top, either immediately or when the frets are levelled and crowned, if that happens to be being done after lacquering (which again depends on the maker).

Cheers - C

Fender neck Amber
http://reranchstore.stores.yahoo.net/fennecam.html
Also I spray necks after because I dont wont Laq. in the slots for when I tap in the frets I am afraid the Barb on the Tang will start to crack the finish. Also some times if the new fret will not get tight you have to put some Tight bond in there and may even have to use some wood dust and a plastic card to keep the slots shape for the fret.

_________________
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

I have Lp.s as well. In fact I will say my favorite of Fender that I use is a Telecaster. Just that I do more work on Strats. because ever Teen who starts playing guitar wants a Strat. of some kind so there always around. When I go play somewhere I will take one of my Strats with me but always one of the Tele's and many time its one of the few Tele's there.

_________________
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

[Later] Goddit! Couldn't remember this fella's name. Wracking my brains: it finally came to me.

Here's the very nice website of luthier Mike DeTemple, based in California. On this page you can click on the "neck" icon to see a very long slide show of how he builds his S and T-type necks (102 photos):

http://www.detempleguitars.com/temp/build_intro.php

The pictures are not in strict sequence, but it is easy to see what the process is: he builds and finishes the neck and then cuts the slots and installs the frets.

That is not by any means the normal sequence, for the reasons cvilleira and I have mentioned above. Many makers slot the fingerboard before it even gets onto the neck, never mind getting lacquered.

But each to his own: they look to be sensational instruments, and the photos are very inspiring!

Cheers - C