DIY Satin neck finish

[jazzyvee]

I've been trying to find a thread about how to do this satin finish to my bass neck. I think my S2 has that finish but in all this heat I am finding my hand is gripping the back of the neck on my other basses and wondered if there is simple guide to do this without obviously removing too much of the finish. Also my thumb is gripping and not sliding easily on the back of my classico neck so that needs doing too.
If anyone knows the post can you please post a link or let me know what grade of sandpaper i need to use.

[rv_bass]

I did a quick search of the site and did not find anything on DYI satin finish, but a quick google search shows some links with initial info to check out…

https://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+satin+finish+guitar&client=safari&hl=en-us&ei=M__3YJeDOM-StAawn4aAAw&oq=how+to+satin+finish+guitar&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAMyAggAMgYIABAWEB4yBggAEBYQHjIGCAAQFhAeMgYIABAWEB4yBggAEBYQHjIGCAAQFhAeMgYIABAWEB4yBggAEBYQHjIGCAAQFhAeOgcIABBHELADSgQIQRgAUISMAVjioQFgkKgBaAJwAngAgAHzAYgBsQaSAQU2LjEuMZgBAKABAaoBB2d3cy13aXrIAQjAAQE&sclient=gws-wiz&ved=0ahUKEwjX6NeOgvTxAhVPCc0KHbCPATAQ4dUDCA0&uact=5

[BeenDown139]

FWIW my MK5 has a satin finish on the back of the neck and it's the bomb.  highly recommend if you can get it done.

[edwardofhuncote]

Mask off where you want the neck to remain glossed, use 1000-grit and gently wet-sand. Pat dry often to check for desired satiny texture.

I'm not necessarily recommending this for your Classico, Jazzy, but many of my customers have me remove the finish from upright bass necks and treat the bare wood with an oil-based finishing wax. It feels great... lightning fast.

Try the satin first.


*here's a picture of one from my Shop Thread...

[jon_jackson]

I have the same issue with the neck of my 1976 S1.

[jazzyvee]

To be fair mostly it's an issue with the Classico and that's maybe as much to do with my lack of experience of DB playing and not knowing how to play differently to minimise the drag.

[mica]

The satin finish isn't any different coating - it's just how the rubout is handled.

When we are doing the final sanding before buffing, we use progressively finer and finer sandpapers up to about 3000 grit. Then we just leave that with the long linear strokes on the back of the neck and tape of the neck to protect it at the ends while we do the final buffing.

To do a satin finish DIY later it might be easier and safer to use Scotch Brite - the grey followed by the white. Keep the strokes long and linear, these are the tracks your palm will follow when you play.  Protect the areas you DON'T want the satin finish on with tape, and don't be super aggressive. You can always take it down more, but if you rub through, you'll see modelling, and to fix that does require some refinishing.

[mica]

On a 1976 bass like Jon has, the finish is polyurethane, not polyester like the Classico and most instruments that aren't oil finished after 1980.  You can still satin it up, but if you rub through the refinishing will have to be a different paint as that paint was discontinued years ago.

[edwardofhuncote]

3000-grit is some seriously ultra-fine sandpaper. Wow. I can't recall using anything finer than 1800, and that was for polishing bone saddle or nut material. Very cool. I guess when you're doing the kind of detail work you do... I just gotta' come see that shop some day.

[lbpesq]

I know that it's considered sacrilege, but I have always used 0000 steel wool to apply a satin finish to my necks.

Bill, tgo