neck rub off

[Blueglass]

This is my issue. The finish is rubbed off on the bottom of my neck. It is between the nut and the third fret. And it is spreading. I don't mind so much, but what are the long term effects? Does anybody else have this issue. Is it a sign of somthing in my playing?

[Mark Walker]

I'd be curious to see what other responses you get. I know many fiddle players actually remove the finish on the back of the neck; it may well be some mandolin players do as well. I don't see where it wearing off would hurt it any - any more than many of those old mandolins have 'arm wear' on the edge of the top where the forearm rests and so on. Just my humble opion!

Like I said - I'll be curious to read the replies of those much more knowledgeable than me! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[Dave Cowles]

I have taken the finish off the back of the neck on my MK, and am anxious to get the lacquer sanded off the neck on my handmade F5 as well. When the finish is off, waxing and polishing the bare wood is a good thing. I've spoken with other mando players who don't mind the finish being on the neck, but to me it feels as if it is more friction than I want on my fretting hand, almost sticky sometimes. YMMV.
Dave

[Joe Mangio]

I have the same thing happening with my F-9.
The combination of a thin finish and friction
wear....gives it that distressed look for no extra cost.

[dan@kins]

I don't have a problem with that on my mandolins. I do however on my Martin D18GE. The finish gets gummy in a matter of minutes and its really buggin me cause I love this guitar.

I've considered having the finish removed from the back of the neck but I'm not sure what I'd need to do to care the bare wood? Any ideas?

[mandroid]

the 1921 is looking kinda well used by now. honest wearing in.

fwiw, woodworkers burnish wood with a hard piece of bone to close up the grain. works well with mahogany.

[dang]

I have been looking into neck finishes lately and would tell you to check out the following threads....



Removing Neck Finish (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=7;t=32071)

back of neck sanding (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=12;t=31772;hl=tung+and+neck )

Slicken Up the Neck (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=12;t=19557;hl=tung+and+neck )

Neck Finish Scraping, How? (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=7;t=24207)

I took the finish off my (Mandolin) neck, What do I use to protect it? (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=7;t=23380;hl=tung+and+oil)

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif #(he's pickin a mando without neck finish)


and another...

Help with Neck (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=7;t=17756;hl=tung+and+oil)

[skippy]

I am fan of letting it wear. My mandolin has no finish on the back the neck and it's only because of how much I play it... I am proud to say that I did it. It adds to the character of the instrument and makes it mine. As for sanding it.. if that's your thing then great, I wouldn't worry about keeping it looking pristine though... if you want a pristine mandolin, don't play it.. put it in a glass case.

Best example I can think of... will any one here tell me Monroe's mandolin didn't sound good or that he didn't do great things with it?


Take a look at it...

[Coy Wylie]

I don't have a problem with that on my mandolins. #I do however on my Martin D18GE. #The finish gets gummy in a matter of minutes and its really buggin me cause I love this guitar.

I've considered having the finish removed from the back of the neck but I'm not sure what I'd need to do to care the bare wood? #Any ideas?

Have a luthier remove the factory finish and french polish the neck. It will feel sleek and smooth. Both my Martins have been through this process and I can't tell you how much better they feel.

For mandolins, I am a fan of letting the finish distress naturally. I've not had the sticky problem with my mandos I've had with some Martin guitars.

[ronlane3]

Blueglass, #There really aren't any long term effects and it is nothing with your playing. #There are a lot of people (me included) that remove the finish because they don't like their hand sticking to the finish, or they just like that look.

I have been told that there is nothing that you need to do as far as adding a sealer or anything. #I was told be a number of people to just play it and the oils from your skin will be just fine for it.

Dan@kins, #I used 0000 steel wool to remove the finish from my Gibson F-9. #And as stated, I did nothing else but play it.

[Michael Gowell]

Just yesterday I dropped into Acoustic Outfitters in Stratham NH to see if there were any interesting mandolins. #They had a Dearstone F-5 on consignment, built in 1999, priced at $5000 - somewhat high, I thought. #It had a beautiful allover black finish but had been sanded on the neck. #It felt good but looked wrong - close to the heel the sanding had produced a very noticeable transition zone back to the glossy black. #And the natural maple neck just didn't look good against the black finish. #To me.

On the other hand the neck of my 97 year-old F-2 has the polish that many owners before me have produced. #The varnish on the back of the neck is long gone, but the color that remains matches the unworn parts of the neck. Its slick feel comes from many years of hand oils. #I feel that the best finish for a mandolin neck comes as a byproduct of playing.