JamieBenzies Posted December 26, 2009 Share Posted December 26, 2009 (edited) Over the last week or so I have been pumping out lots of posts regarding the changes I am making to my Yamaha TRB5 fretless. Now, when I played a Stingray a while ago I suddenly realised one factor that for me makes the bass a whole lot more playable, is the lack of varnish on the neck. Too me i feel this makes a huge difference and really sets my hands at ease... odd I know... So I was wondering, how could I DIY the varnish off my bass neck without risking unnecessary damage? Has anyone else ever done this? Thanks everyone Edited December 26, 2009 by benzies123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxrossell Posted December 26, 2009 Share Posted December 26, 2009 [quote name='benzies123' post='693708' date='Dec 26 2009, 01:36 PM']Over the last week or so I have been pumping out lots of posts regarding the changes I am making to my Yamaha TRB5 fretless. Now, when I played a Stingray a while ago I suddenly realised one factor that for me makes the bass a whole lot more playable, is the lack of varnish on the neck. Too me i feel this makes a huge difference and really sets my hands at ease... odd I know... So I was wondering, how could I DIY the varnish off my bass neck without risking unnecessary damage? Has anyone else ever done this? Thanks everyone [/quote] If you just want to change the texture from a gloss to a satin or matt, then you don't need to remove the varnish, just to scuff the surface with fine-grit sandpaper. There's always a risk of unnecessary damage when you mod a bass, especially the finish or the woodwork, but you'll just have to be careful. Fortunately, the above operation is reversible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cLepto-bass Posted December 26, 2009 Share Posted December 26, 2009 Years ago I found my Squier bass had a really sticky glossy neck so I sanded it down with really fine sand paper (cant remember the grade now) and it worked a treat. Cant really go wrong with that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted December 26, 2009 Share Posted December 26, 2009 i think what works better is very very fine wire wool... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirkThrust Posted December 26, 2009 Share Posted December 26, 2009 I find that Scotchbrite does the job very well. It takes the gloss off without removing a lot of varnish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted December 26, 2009 Share Posted December 26, 2009 [quote name='AndyMartin' post='693732' date='Dec 26 2009, 02:35 PM']I find that Scotchbrite does the job very well. It takes the gloss off without removing a lot of varnish.[/quote] I recently did this to a few of my basses (& a couple of guitars) - It makes a great difference. I used grey scotchbrite equivalent to fine wire wool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky Posted December 26, 2009 Share Posted December 26, 2009 [quote name='Jean-Luc Pickguard' post='693786' date='Dec 26 2009, 04:00 PM']I recently did this to a few of my basses (& a couple of guitars) - It makes a great difference. I used grey scotchbrite equivalent to fine wire wool.[/quote] Are these the green kitchen scourers you're talking about here, or is it another of their products? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted December 26, 2009 Share Posted December 26, 2009 the grey stuff I used came from a now sadly closed-down hardware shop (turtles in Croydon). Iti similar to but a lot finer than the green bit of kitchen scourers and is sold as an alternative to wire wool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky Posted December 26, 2009 Share Posted December 26, 2009 [quote name='Jean-Luc Pickguard' post='693809' date='Dec 26 2009, 04:44 PM']the grey stuff I used came from a now sadly closed-down hardware shop (turtles in Croydon). Iti similar to but a lot finer than the green bit of kitchen scourers and is sold as an alternative to wire wool.[/quote] Cheers. I don't think I've seen that about. I'll have to keep an eye out next time I'm in a decent hardware shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveK Posted December 26, 2009 Share Posted December 26, 2009 Blowtorch? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted December 26, 2009 Share Posted December 26, 2009 Wire wool to remove the gloss from the finish - you don't need to strip it to the wood, and it'll take about 10 minutes. And if you don't like it & want it shiny again, 10 minutes with T-Cut will sort that out. If you do use wire wool, keep it away from your pickups - in fact removing the neck completely is the best idea. Jon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamieBenzies Posted December 26, 2009 Author Share Posted December 26, 2009 It's a wonderful surprise to come back to so much good advice after only one day! I think I'll try the general fine wire wool idea. Thanks very much everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzz Posted December 26, 2009 Share Posted December 26, 2009 [quote name='Bassassin' post='693956' date='Dec 26 2009, 08:21 PM']Wire wool to remove the gloss from the finish - you don't need to strip it to the wood, and it'll take about 10 minutes. And if you don't like it & want it shiny again, 10 minutes with T-Cut will sort that out. If you do use wire wool, keep it away from your pickups - in fact removing the neck completely is the best idea. Jon.[/quote] +1 Infact, do it in a seperate room. My VMJ is still has the odd bit of wirewool around the pickups from when I wire-wooled the neck on a different guitar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky Posted December 27, 2009 Share Posted December 27, 2009 Blue tack is very good for removing any stray metal filings that end up attached to your pole pieces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamieBenzies Posted December 27, 2009 Author Share Posted December 27, 2009 I have gone ahead and used the wire wool, it works an utter treat! In fact I liked the change so much I then went on to treat my Ibanez with the wool too. I can now feel the neck in a more comforting way, the neck doesn't feel at all sticky and I can zip up and down it with so little resistance I may as well be playing air guitar! It's awesome. Thank you so much everyone, this has really made a huge difference! Jamie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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