ape Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 Thought it would be worth asking in here, I want to oil and possibly wax my bass neck as I'm going to leave it natural, it's a 3 piece maple and the 2 sides have a bit of nice flaming on them, what I'd like to do is use an oil that doesn't darken the wood too much, I've tried and got some linseed oil but seems to darken wood a fair bit, however I've not tried it on maple so far just ash and a few other softer woods. I'm sure I remember seeing somewhere that musicman use gunstock oil on their necks not sure if this is true or not but have noticed their maple necks seem to remain light. Any ideas anyone from people with experience, pics would of course be even better if anybody has oiled maple. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamfist Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 Colron natural Danish Oil, from B&Q is the stuff you need. It's a piece of cake to work with and gives a great, durable finish. make sure it's the "natural" version with no stain in. I have done one maple neck and several other wood bodies with this. The maple neck darkened a fraction, but very minimally. I don't think you will get anything which will not darken it at all. It was a great finish for the neck BTW. I did a thin Briwax coating over it. It gave a lovely satin, "high quality" feel to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 Musicman do use gunstock oil on their necks & recommend Birchwood Casey Tru-Oil and Gunstock Wax for treating the necks. It's available online in the UK - I bought some but never got around to using it as I sold my MM bass because I hated it so much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ape Posted April 20, 2014 Author Share Posted April 20, 2014 [quote name='hamfist' timestamp='1397996133' post='2429297'] Colron natural Danish Oil, from B&Q is the stuff you need. It's a piece of cake to work with and gives a great, durable finish. make sure it's the "natural" version with no stain in. I have done one maple neck and several other wood bodies with this. The maple neck darkened a fraction, but very minimally. I don't think you will get anything which will not darken it at all. It was a great finish for the neck BTW. I did a thin Briwax coating over it. It gave a lovely satin, "high quality" feel to it. [/quote] Cheers, brilliant stuff I shall give that a go then, how's the briwax to work with?, I've tried beeswax and that was pretty good but pretty messy and takes some doing, nice when it's finished, hardened and buffed though. That a Green Terror in your avatar by the way? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBod Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 Try Liberon tung oil - very easy and colour neutral. I'd avoid most waxes, other than the Birchwood Casey (has petro-chemical health warnings) or Warwick wax. Most thicker beeswaxes can get sticky, but these are both thinner and dry to a soft sheen rather than furniture polish gloss. A few light coats of tung oil is all you need..just clean up and re-apply once or twice a year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 Tru-oil on maple is about the nicest feeling neck finish there is (IMO) and it doesn't darken maple too much. For a satin finish, you can just sand the neck to 600 grit, apply plenty of coats of tru-oil (I think I used around 8, cutting back every couple of coats) then buff with the finest grade of steel wool. You can buy it from gun suppliers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manton Customs Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 (edited) Best to try some Tru oil on Maple first and see if you like it as it will darken the neck to a similar level as Linseed, because it is Linseed based. Tung oil or a Tung based wiping varnish is a good bet as the darkening will be minimal. Wax can be used to increase gloss, offer a slight bit of extra protection and improve feel. Liberon Black Bison and Briwax are both good brands. Just avoid any wax containing Silicon. Edited April 20, 2014 by Manton Customs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ape Posted April 20, 2014 Author Share Posted April 20, 2014 Thanks for all the responses, a fair bit to think about, seems like briwax is a winner wax wise for protection, don't suppose any body that has used oils above on maple have got pics so I can get an idea? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 [quote name='ape' timestamp='1398024699' post='2429704'] Thanks for all the responses, a fair bit to think about, seems like briwax is a winner wax wise for protection, don't suppose any body that has used oils above on maple have got pics so I can get an idea? [/quote] Here's a pic of the tru-oil on maple on my parts guitar. It's a little darker than bare maple, but far from the whole "vintage tint" yellow thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamfist Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 (edited) [quote name='ape' timestamp='1398024699' post='2429704'] Thanks for all the responses, a fair bit to think about, seems like briwax is a winner wax wise for protection, don't suppose any body that has used oils above on maple have got pics so I can get an idea? [/quote] I do have a maple neck that has been Danish Oiled and Briwaxed under the stairs. I'll try and motivate myself to get it out to take a pic. I am, however, working today and tomorrow. Please bear with me. Also, in answer to your previous question, the Briwax is extremely clean and easy to work with. Edit ... I do have this photo of the front of the headstock on that neck, which obviously has the same finish. It's the one of the green bass. [url=http://www.ephotobay.com/share/w-and-sch-main.html][/url] Edited April 21, 2014 by hamfist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bolo Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 (edited) I took Ernie Ball's advice and use birchwood casey gunstock oil on the maple fretboard and neck. Then I finish the neck with gunstock wax for a silky feel. About 8 thick layers built up on the fretboard with light steelwool buffing in between for a near-laquer coating, two layers each of the oil and wax on the neck. The bass is a '96 SR5, mine for 2.5 years now. Edited April 21, 2014 by Bolo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ape Posted April 21, 2014 Author Share Posted April 21, 2014 Cheers everyone, I think Tru Oil is the look I'm going for so will get some sorted, that's a really nice Stingray you've got there Bolo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bolo Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 Cheers, I agree ^_^ Sorry for the phone pictures, best I can do atm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamfist Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 Here ya go. "Natural" Colron Danish Oil and Natural Briwax maple neck [url=http://www.ephotobay.com/share/oiled-neck-b.html][/url] [url=http://www.ephotobay.com/share/oiled-neck.html][/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 [quote name='ape' timestamp='1398077378' post='2430097'] Cheers everyone, I think Tru Oil is the look I'm going for so will get some sorted, that's a really nice Stingray you've got there Bolo [/quote] Doesn't Tru oil give a gloss finish? I'm only going on some videos I've seen, but won't that be the same as a lacquered finish? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 [quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1398583821' post='2435394'] Doesn't Tru oil give a gloss finish? I'm only going on some videos I've seen, but won't that be the same as a lacquered finish? [/quote] It goes on a lot thinner than a typical lacquer coat. It can achieve a gloss finish if you use a large number of coats, but using fewer coats and cutting back with fine steel wool gives a nice satin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ash Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 I've used Tru oil on a Shergold neck and it gave a great finish after only a few coats I gave it a satin type finish on the reverse and a glossier finish on the headstock fascia. I used cheap paper coffee filters to apply it as it's easier to control. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ape Posted May 3, 2014 Author Share Posted May 3, 2014 [quote name='ash' timestamp='1398607384' post='2435664'] I've used Tru oil on a Shergold neck and it gave a great finish after only a few coats I gave it a satin type finish on the reverse and a glossier finish on the headstock fascia. I used cheap paper coffee filters to apply it as it's easier to control. [/quote] Never thought of that, different to using a rag to apply, could be worth a go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ash Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 [quote name='ape' timestamp='1399108644' post='2441054'] Never thought of that, different to using a rag to apply, could be worth a go [/quote] Yes because they are lint free and don't absorb as much as cloth you get more control over the amount of 'take up'. Gives a really pro quality even finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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