Has anyone here sanded the necks of their guitars? Do they play better, feel better? I have sanded the necks of my American Standard and my Powerhouse a little bit, but I wasn't too sure if I would hurt the guitar any. I would love to have a neck like those I see the big name guys using that is dirty and worn on the back from years of playing. I am just wondering if I could, or should sand a little more of the neck on the back? What about the front of the neck? Anybody done that?


Thanks.

I have a 65 musicmaster that I sanded the back of the neck on. It does not have the satin like todays Fenders do... made the neck much faster IMHO. My hand wasn't getting "hungup" on the slick varnish surface of the back of the neck.

Be careful though, as this might impact the collectable value of the instrument... now I'm wishing I had not done it.

i have sanded mine. makes the neck much more smooth. plus, after a few years, it speeds up the relic process, so it'll get all worn.

Make sure you use either VERRRRY fine sandpaper or really fine grade steel wool!!!!!!! Lubricate it if you can, maybe with a bit of water, s'always a smart move. Saves you from digging in too much or taking too much away, cos mate, once you've done that, you're f***ed. Let us know how it goes though, and best of luck!

_________________
"It was right from the start" - John Mayer

I'm just happy to be a Guitar player!
I can't imagine what life would be like without it.

Agreeed.

_________________
"It was right from the start" - John Mayer

I'm just happy to be a Guitar player!
I can't imagine what life would be like without it.

Yes,, #0000 steel wool.. Back of neck only. Gives me a satin finish on sticky necks.

There's a seller/dealer on Ebay who presently has at least 1 Strat on auction (#200206071575) and he refinished the entire guitar. His ID is "scottsrelicguitars" and he has 99% positive feedback (out of 530 feedbacks) and he used Scott Schroeder Guitars (Fullerton, CA) for licensed Fender parts and/or refinishing. Take a look at his guitar and contact him to get some feedback.

I sanded the neck of my old Mexican Strat a few years ago. I used the finest grit sandpaper I could find. It made the neck super fast and smooth.

Very true !

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

I did this with two of my strats, using very very fine sandpaper and it turned out great!! Also did the fron of the maple necks a little bit too and it's amazing how it turned out. Very smoothe fast necks.

Thanks for the help!

I've never sanded my necks. In fact, I prefer a glossy shiny neck. I think those play better. I have played other people's guitars with sanded necks. I don't like them. I don't even like a satin finish. I don't see how a sanded neck can play faster when its a rough surface. Or, at least rougher than a glossy neck. Well, thankfully we are all different. Just do what feels right for you.

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When I was a young man, we called it Vietnam.
Now that I'm an old man, still bleeding in a foreign land........."War Is Not The Answer", 2007.

www.guitargeezer.com

The Ibanez Wizard necks have very little finish on them and are extremely fast and feel great. (But the fingerboards have no radius which is kind of hard to play.)

Sine you already sanded your neck it's too late but concider the following options for future refrence...

New School Method: Purchase a can of Tone Finger-Ease by Chem-Pak at your local guitar shop. It's very popular and every shop stocks it for about $5.00. It is a string lubracant that you spray on to the strings and fingerboard for faster and smoother action. You can spray this on the back of your neck without causing any damage. After spraying the neck, polish it off. One or two application will result in a dramatic difference.

Old School Techniques: You can sprikle a little Baby or Talcum powder onto your fretting hand and rub the powder up and down the neck. Or going way back to when I was studying the sitar we used to use a natural hair oil which wouldn't rust the strings like baby oil would.

I think that to purposely distress a guitar other than to recreate a signiture model for collecting is like living a lie. Play your guitar as much and as often as you can and earn that look. Then you'll be a real pro rather than just looking the part.

_________________
"If I don't see you no more in this world I'll meet you on the next one and don't be late... don't be late." -Jimi Hendrix

Those guitars by scottsrelicguitars or Scott Schroeder Guitars (Fullerton, CA) just beats up Squire guitars and sands the headstock decal off and calls it a Fender Lic. Instrument and since he puts it together in Ca., he figures its some sort of American made instrument.

I bought one from him and when i got it and realized its a Squire, i asked for my money back.

All in all, its an "ok" Agathis Squire guitar. But if you go to his site be sure to review the photos closely and get a serial # or get him to confess the real make of the guitar. He told me this was an Allparts Telecaster i got from him last week. But its a stock Squire Telecaster with shoes polish on it.

did you turn him into ebay?