Waaaaaaaaaaah!

[jester]

No I didn't get an envelope filter effect or anything. I just got my first battle scar on the back of my beautiful maple neck. It's a scratch that runs from top to bottom at about the 12th fret. Thankfully it's not deep and I can barely feel it. But it gets to my nerves, obsessive me. It looks like it can be sanded off. I can do it with a really fine grit sandpaper, BUT I was wondering, does the neck have some kind of finish that will make the sanded area unprotected and lighter in colour after I sand, if you know what I mean. Should I sand away and take care of it or leave it as is? Will sanding it then perhaps waxing it make it even and smooth again?

 

[budget bassist]

i thought the streamer LX had an ovangkol neck?

 

[jester]

It's a custom shop.

 

[jester]

No sweat, I used a clean damp sponge-cloth from the kitchen and a soldering iron (with a lot of care!!!) as per this nice thread:


The grain in the region came out with the steam, and I sanded it to oblivion. Now the only problem is the area is more lightly coloured, maple necks get quite dirty from playing. It will even out with time. I think I'll will wax it after it's completely dried. Am I talking by myself?

 

[Avram]

I sanded and waxed my ovangkol neck and it is a smooth as silk....every so often I use a Scotch-bright pad on it to maintain the smoothness. If maple is like most woods, it should darken a little over time from continuous sanding (buffing) and waxing. If the discolored spot annoys you, you could always sand the entire neck (lightly) to even out the color. Then buff it with 000 steel wool or a Scotch-bright pad. Finish it up with a wax job and you're all set!

Oh yeah, after waxing, I also take a soft, clean cotton cloth and buff the hell out of the neck. Makes it even smoother, almost slick (providing my hand is dry). My thumb glides on it with almost no friction and I can only feel the grain when I run my fingers from side to side.