I've got a sticky guitar neck - help!

Subject: I've got a sticky neck - help!
From: GUEST,rewster
Date: 27 Mar 18 - 09:41 AM

I've just bought a Martin 00018 and the back of the neck is very shiny. After playing a while it becomes a bit resistant to fast movement and "drags"
Any ideas?

Subject: RE: I've got a sticky guitar neck - help!
From: gillymor
Date: 27 Mar 18 - 10:17 AM

IMO the best bet would be to have competent luthier check it out but I had a sticky neck on my Froggy Bottom and an application of 3M Hand Glaze cleared it up and did a good job of cleaning up the whole instrument as well as my other ones that needed it. Before you undertake this you should probably email Martin and see what they recommend.

From the Froggy Bottom site

Subject: RE: I've got a sticky guitar neck - help!
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 27 Mar 18 - 10:30 AM

Crimson guitars on youtube may have the answer.

Subject: RE: I've got a sticky guitar neck - help!
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Mar 18 - 01:10 PM

Usual remedy involves a rub down to a satin finish with fine wire wool.
Best get a luthier to do this.
Or check out several YouTube tutorials.

Subject: RE: I've got a sticky guitar neck - help!
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 27 Mar 18 - 01:16 PM

Likely due to sweaty palms. It could be due to whatever a guitar neck is finished with but I doubt that would be likely on a Martin. The only sure solution is to give the guitar a, so called, "speed neck"; i.e simply achieved by scraping the finish back to the wood, but whether you'd be prepared to do that on a new guitar is for you to decide.

It isn't my idea of the ideal guitar and someone had done that to a Santa Cruz guitar I bought a decade or so ago - I had the neck re-finished - but I'd start by drying your hands, making sure the neck is clean and trying not to hang on so tightly as you move up and down the fretboard.

Subject: RE: I've got a sticky guitar neck - help!
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Mar 18 - 01:31 PM

Damp cloth and mild detergent. Might need more or might have been tried but it can help.

Subject: RE: I've got a sticky guitar neck - help!
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 27 Mar 18 - 01:49 PM

Is the finish nitrocellulose or polyurethane, or some other laqueur...?

Subject: RE: I've got a sticky guitar neck - help!
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 28 Mar 18 - 12:44 AM

If it's a modern Martin it will be Nitro.

Subject: RE: I've got a sticky guitar neck - help!
From: Stanron
Date: 28 Mar 18 - 03:49 AM

Try talc on your hands.

Subject: RE: I've got a sticky guitar neck - help!
From: Mr Red
Date: 28 Mar 18 - 04:30 AM

talc on the palm!
I would guess it is not as helpful if it is the whole hand, fingers particularly.

But that would put talc on the picking fingers - needs thought!

Subject: RE: I've got a sticky guitar neck - help!
From: Stanron
Date: 28 Mar 18 - 05:01 AM

I'm guessing that it is the palm rather than the fingers that is sticking on the back of the neck. Maybe developing a technique where the palm does not touch the back of the neck so much is the way to go.

Subject: RE: I've got a sticky guitar neck - help!
From: gillymor
Date: 28 Mar 18 - 09:20 AM

One more thought, Martin used to have an excellent warranty arrangement I'm not sure if this is still the case but if this is a new instrument it might qualify as a warranty issue.

Subject: RE: I've got a sticky guitar neck - help!
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 28 Mar 18 - 09:33 AM

Thick glossy laquered guitar necks are considered a love it or hate it feature...
So much so, that you will find numerous youtube tutorials and guitar forum threads
advising how to sand / wire wool the gloss down to a more comfortable satin finish.

I'd presume the excess sticky gloss of nitro finishes would gradually wear down the more time they are played in...???

Some poly finishes seem near indestructable...

Subject: RE: I've got a sticky guitar neck - help!
From: Mr Red
Date: 29 Mar 18 - 05:01 AM

Maybe talc the back of the neck before playing.

FWIW Talc is a very fine (both meanings) polish. It is an abrasive, but on (say) shellac varnish it would act like polish.

Just a thought but talc without too much perfume?

There used to be a glass cleaner/polish that was the same pinky colour but came in a liquid medium and probably was talc in water. In a glass bottle vaguely oval in cross-section. It dried fairly quickly to a powder as fine as talc (a bit like calamine lotion). I have the name Glit on my mind.

Anyone remember it?

Subject: RE: I've got a sticky guitar neck - help!
From: GUEST,rewster
Date: 29 Mar 18 - 05:50 AM

Thanks for the suggestions. Some useful advice here. It's the guitar, not me - I've been playing for many years and not had this problem before. I have several instruments and none of the others are a problem. A fine sanding looks like the answer. Cheers, Rew.

Subject: RE: I've got a sticky guitar neck - help!
From: gillymor
Date: 29 Mar 18 - 12:29 PM

Here's another item I've had success with 3M Scotch Brite pads from Stew Mac. I got the pack with all 3 sizes, I start by rubbing the neck well 3M Imperial Hand Glaze then use the lightest pad first and if that doesn't get rid of the sticky progress to the next and then the heaviest, if necessary, which is similar to 0000 steel wool and the work back down to the lightest. Something you might consider before sanding.

Subject: RE: I've got a sticky guitar neck - help!
From: Mr Red
Date: 01 Apr 18 - 03:15 AM

if you are going the abrasive route try very fine wire wool. A bit easier to go very fine, so I would suggest try the finest grade first. It is almost like cotton wool in texture.

And getting into awkward places and convoluted curves is easier too.