Bit of an odd one - My guitar has a gloss finish, and I’ve realised I have difficulty changing positions quickly due to the tacky friction of my thumb on the guitar neck. Using talc helps the issue, but I don’t suppose anyone has other suggestions that don’t involve sanding the finish on the guitar?
And yes my hands are clean! Just naturally a bit oily unfortunately.
I have used a product called Finger Ease for a few years now. You can spray it on your strings, on your fingers, and on the neck.
Spraying it on the neck, then giving it a few rubs with a cloth, will give it a very smooth feel that your thumb will glide across. Great stuff.
Finger Ease has been around for 50 years, completely safe, widely used, and it works. ( Some here scoff at such things, but each to their own).
I use it every day. Its pretty cheap, ($15AUS), and one can will last me about 4-5 months.
Well worth trying out.
Cheers, Shane
I’ve seen folks mention sanding down a glossy finish like that into something more matte.
My acoustic has a matte finish neck and it’s very smooth. Me electric has a glossy neck and my thumb kinda “sticks” to it like yours. I’ve been meaning to sand it to a matte finish but haven’t gotten around to it yet.
I’m building a new electric and it will have a matte oiled finish.
You know that suggestion you didn’t want?
I’m suggesting it.
Not as some drastic re-finishing, just taking the edge off the gloss. Find a fine, high quality sandpaper - I’d go with something over 1000, (You may need to go a bit coarser) grit to start with and just lightly rub it down in long strokes along the neck. You will be able to put the gloss finish back on easily by simply rubbing it with a super-fine paper (2500+) and buffing it any time you want.
You’re only trying to break down the grippy surface, and don’t need go anywhere near the underlying wood. Besides, unless it’s a ‘59 Les Paul, it’s your guitar, so don’ think of it as a museum piece or something you have to preserve the resale value of - make it fit for how you want it.
Thanks chaps! I really appreciate the suggestions. I’m slowly but surely starting to lean towards the sand paper method, but I’m curious about the finger ease. I’ll have to give either/or a go.
I think in your case, it’s worth sanding. The sticky hands situation isn’t going to go away. If it’s a guitar you are sure you want to keep then I would do it. If it’s one you think you may sell later or it’s a very valuable one then I would think twice. It would lower resale value. However, if it’s just a regular guitar then why not. You can start with very fine grit and see if it makes a difference snd still shine it up if you don’t like it. But if it increases your enjoyment of playing then IMO it’s worth it.
If you buy another one, I would recommend a satin finish. I’ve made one Strat and completely renovated a tele. In both cases I sanded and oiled the neck. No lacquer. It’s so smooth. Even the commercial satin finish ones usually have some sort of lacquer rather than oil.
FWIW, I used fine glasspaper on my Squire CV tele - very pleased with the result. Was very glossy, and gentle sanding just took the worse of the shine off. Go slow, it’ll be fine.