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Joe Bonamassa Forum → Joe's Guitars, Amps and Gear → Bonaburst Neck - a bit gummy
Well, I've been playing my new Bonaburst everyday since I got it (week and half) and while I'm getting used to the big neck it does feel a bit "gummy" for lack of a better word.
Do I leave it alone eventually it will get broken/played in or should I just steel wool it slightly?
Ever so slightly.
Anyone else have similar thoughts with theirs?
Thanks,
conorb
You know those dryer sheets that are added to laundry? I collect the used ones and I wipe down the back of my Burst's neck with them before, during, and after playing. They wipe the oil and gum right off and it's much less abrasive than steel wool. They can remove dirt from the fretboard too. The more you play it and wipe it down with the sheets, the better the neck will feel. They also make it smell like the Snuggles bear. 
Dont steel wool it.. That wont solve your problem... Best thing to do is to take some Ernie Ball or quality polish and and felt rag and really shine the back of the neck. That will take all the sticky feeling out of it.. Now each players hands are different.. So how often you need to do this will depend on your genetic make up..
Joe B
As far as I know, the gumminess can be due to the Nitro curing properly. What people do is steel wool it, or rub naptha on it.
However, given the cost of the model, and the value of such a JB model, I would do exactly as Joe said.
I use Gibson guitar polish on my gold tops neck before after and during playing. Keeps it nice and fast.
When it comes to cleaning/repair....always start with least invasive methods, like your hot breath, then try a hot damp cloth, then cleaner/polish. This is especially true for old guitars where the finish may become gummy or tackey. Thanks DAN
I still miss my 80's aerosol can of Fender guitar polish... it would spray on and leave a white film to buff off. You could buff it off with your finger if you wanted to. BUT THE SMELL just smelled like vintage guitar. I crave that smell. Haven't been able to find another bottle since the 90's and would kill to find it again!
-Nic
No steel wool! Use lighter fluid or Gibson polish on it a few times. Wipe it down with a soft cotton rag (I use pieces of an old baby blanket) before, during, and after playing. The best thing is to leave it out of the case as much as possible over the next 3-6 months and play it regularly. The plasticizers in the nitro have to evaporate off. Eventually it will be slick and you won't need to wipe it off much.
I cried when I did steel wool on my les paul classic. 
Something I'll never do again.
I use S100 Detail & Wax. You can buy it at most harley shops. Works great on guitars! And yea motorcycles too. 
I advise against steel wool or any sanding or anything that will remove the finish off the neck.
Thanks for all the replies everyone.
I will definitely not steel wool the neck and go with a polish and buff.
Nice tips; thanks.
conorb
Just play that sucker in mate! 
I use Gerlitz stuff to clean all my guitars and its ace, leaves them nice and slippery! Nitro can be a #@$@# on a neck though, you just got to get it played in and it'll be nice and solid, shoiuld only take 10 years! 
LOL...I love that stuff too, I had same memories....thanks for the smile....sniff, sniff!!!
I still miss my 80's aerosol can of Fender guitar polish... it would spray on and leave a white film to buff off. You could buff it off with your finger if you wanted to. BUT THE SMELL just smelled like vintage guitar. I crave that smell. Haven't been able to find another bottle since the 90's and would kill to find it again!
-Nic
Well a nice polish cleaned up the gumminess on the neck no problem.
This guitar is such a treat; thanks Joe.
conorb
This is totally normal with nitro finishes. Especially modern nitro which seems to have more/different plasticizers than in day of old (hence the check resistance compared to vintage). As the guitar gets a little older and the nitro cures, the finish will harden up and you'll have a lot less issue with this. I wouldn't suggest doing anything to it, just play it--when it feels gummy, wipe it down, then resume playing. When my EJ Strat was brand new--pretty much straight off the line (you could really smell the nitro)--I had this issue. A year later, it was all but gone. My R9 Lester was also straight off the line (custom for me) and the nitro was still soft. Months later, same deal--feels fine. Most of the gumminess is gone. If it gets gummy, a quick wipe down and I'm good to go.
If you do polish your neck, be sure and double check that the polish you use doesn't react with the nitro finish. A lot of polishes actually do. Avoid Dunlop Formula 65, PRS Polish (not the cleaner), and some others. I have Virtuoso polish and have also used Novus 1 (a plastics cleaner that works great) without issue. Besides not wanting the polish/cleaner to react with the nitro, you really don't want to use anything that will build up over time (otherwise you eventually have to strip that muck off).
Sound like you have an awesome guitar... Enjoy it!
Cheers,
-Matt
...'gummy'... good word Bud'!... very very gummy when i got mine... just keep a sleeve cut off a cotton t shirt in under the lid... every time i play it i just give it a good vigorous rub up and down 'till it warms... and boy does it warm!
This is totally normal with nitro finishes. Especially modern nitro which seems to have more/different plasticizers than in day of old (hence the check resistance compared to vintage). As the guitar gets a little older and the nitro cures, the finish will harden up and you'll have a lot less issue with this. I wouldn't suggest doing anything to it, just play it--when it feels gummy, wipe it down, then resume playing. When my EJ Strat was brand new--pretty much straight off the line (you could really smell the nitro)--I had this issue. A year later, it was all but gone. My R9 Lester was also straight off the line (custom for me) and the nitro was still soft. Months later, same deal--feels fine. Most of the gumminess is gone. If it gets gummy, a quick wipe down and I'm good to go.
If you do polish your neck, be sure and double check that the polish you use doesn't react with the nitro finish. A lot of polishes actually do. Avoid Dunlop Formula 65, PRS Polish (not the cleaner), and some others. I have Virtuoso polish and have also used Novus 1 (a plastics cleaner that works great) without issue. Besides not wanting the polish/cleaner to react with the nitro, you really don't want to use anything that will build up over time (otherwise you eventually have to strip that muck off).
Sound like you have an awesome guitar... Enjoy it!
Cheers,
-Matt
How will using say PRS polish and other react. That is what happens to the guitar?
Cheers ron
Been said more than 100 times over on the Gibson guitar site.
or rub naptha on it
Joe Bonamassa Forum → Joe's Guitars, Amps and Gear → Bonaburst Neck - a bit gummy
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