Pros and Cons of Sanding Your Guitar Neck For a Smoother Feel 

I'm glad you mentioned sealing the neck after sanding it down.

Sanded necks are just a blessing in my opinion, god i love the feel of them

Feel is everything! PERIOD.

I've done this to every guitar I own and am totally glad I did as My guitars feel so much better than they did beforehand.

I prefer the sanded down neck. Polyurethane should have never made its way to the guitar market. I can’t stand the feel nor the look of it.

You presented a lot of good facts. Thanks for the video.

I do this to any guitar that needs it. Playability is always first. I had wanted a PRS baritone for a LONG time and when I finally went and got one the heavily glossed neck was so bad that it was burning my thumb on slides. As soon as I got it home I used a scotch pad to smooth things out a bit and it now plays amazing. Also looks really cool from behind with the satin neck too. Years ago I did it to all my other guitars and never had a problem re-selling them when the time came. The only guitar I would never satin would be my Rickenbacker 370.

I've done it to a couple of my guitars... Feels so much better, No regret!

I sanded down the neck of my Les Paul Special SL to draw wood. Then applied 5 coats of Birchwood Casey Gun Tru-Oil. I LOVE the way it feels now. Totally smooth...no more sticky feeling even when I'm sweating. Great upgrade!!

I do this with cheap guitars and then load them with killer pickups and good tuners and they're hard to put down.

Just did this with a 70’s Japanese strat copy. I also reshaped/carved the neck which made a huge difference in feel and playability. My least expensive guitar is now one of my favorites and I don’t worry about it getting marks or scratched so it gets a lot more play time. Loving it! Thanks for the vid.

Most of my guitars are partscasters and I sand the necks on all of them. I really like how they feel and I’ve gotten complements from other players who have played those guitars.

Just did it in my SG, and turned well, it's a nitro finish, from 2015 and uses to get sticky, especially in the summer, now it is satin, smooth, and you can spot it only from up close, otherwise is just a black finish guitar. And well you always can polish back if you want, there is no need to go far with the sanding, just 5-10 (to cover every spot) very lite and soft brushes, and it's done. Clean with a soft cloth and it's done.

A really clear review on the topic. Thank-you. Any new guitars I've bought I have oiled the fretboard copiously for the first year to seal them (unglossed) so humidity doesn't bother them. I guess I would do the same on a sanded neck...but I don't have any sanded necks right now! I watched this since I'm thinking about it for an 80's tele I have. I thought I would share that coating a PU gloss neck with Butcher's Bowling Alley wax and buffing it gives a super smooth and fast feel. It's not the same raw feel, but a lot less work!! Maybe a quick pass with 1500 wet/dry first would be even better? Might try it on a "cheap" guitar!!

Sanded my Schecter to bare wood. 3coats of sealer and 2000 grit to finish it off. Amazing!!

I sanded the back of my Tele neck with 1200, but not all the way through, and it feels so much better.

This channel is gold!!

The satin finish squire bullit mustang has a smooth neck and plays like a dream... i'm glad I bought it because the rest of my guitars have polyurethane necks. All my guitars from now on will be sanded down or unfinished

While watching this video I *lightly* sanded my Jackson's neck with 800 grit sandpaper. I'd do a little. Wipe it down. check with a flashlight. Do a little. wipe, check, repeat till the gloss was evenly dull around the neck. Took about 2 minutes of *light* sanding. I did tape off the joint, under the nut and the binding(wish I didn't tape the binding) Wow. What a difference! I just bought this guitar 3 months ago and been playing it every day. I can't believe how much better it feels/plays! Now I'm going to do it to the rest of 'em! Thanks for the video!

I just rounded the fingerboard on the Strat copy that I had sanded the poly off. Actually got excited and partially scalloped the last few frets too. When sanding the back I started low 120-240 to get the finish off quick but jumped to 400, 800 & 1000 pretty soon.. the 2000 can be almost too smooth. Used a teak oil, it takes a while to dry, but I had it so.. Huge improvement.. I'm eyeing my other necks now. Both sanding and rounding.. scallops are special, not for every body or guitar.

I’m currently customising a Mockingbird copy and sanded down the neck yesterday. Feels amazing.

This was very informative. Thank you for the video!

I experimented with this along time ago on my Kramer and loved it. Then I built a Franken Strat like this and I am doing my Strat next.

Addicted to Gear, I have done this to my 72 RI Telecaster that I have heavily customized. I also did this to my Gibson USA Explorer. I didn't sand them down all the way to the bare wood I just sanded the top finish off. I love the feel on the necks of both of my guitars. No I don't regret it because I'm gonna be buried with all 3 of my guitars so in the end it doesn't matter. Feels great .

There are no cons .......stop the nonsense

Bought a Squier Classic Vibe tele a while back. I instantly decided to sand the neck, including the maple fretboard. It was just too sticky for me. My main guitar is an SG these days and I never found the neck to be sticky. So to me, poly can be stickier than nitro, although that might mean different things to different people.

First time watching your videos. Good information. I started buying guitars in need of repair as a hobby. You help me understand some basics of guitar maintenance. Thanks again.

I'm drawn to the worn nitro look and your wall art, thanks for posting..

Just bought a rarely used MIM stratocaster that I am going to sand down. On the other hand I have a squier telecaster that had a satin finish in the neck which feels and plays great. I have a 335 knock off that drives me crazy with how sticky it feels. That guitar is a candidate for sanding too. Loved the video.

Once you get finish off. Apply a couple coats of Johnson paste wax and wipe off when it dries. That will make it really smooth and fast feel. Also good protection from moisture.

Use steel wool (000) instead of sanding paper. This will also give you a very smooth neck, which you can buff again later, if you want three original feeling back.

Don't care for relics but do like the neck sanded

Thanks for the “scouring pad” tip.. a very easy and effective method. My MX Telecaster Black Top is now so much better without the grippy cellulose coating on the back of the neck. 🍻

I wanted to sand my Stratocaster neck down but saw a comment on a forum saying to use a washing up scourer instead (you know, the sponge with the green rough edge). You can cup it it around the back of the neck so you cover it all and then just pretty lightly push towards the headstock. I did that a few times, starting at the neck joint each time rather than back and forth, and the difference is unbelievable. It’s also light enough to get rid of the tacky feel but not have to treat the neck

Just found this video (it's excellent, by the way) while looking for info about sanding down the neck on a '90s fake shredder strat-style guitar I found in a dumpster. I use it to practice set-up and wiring. I'm also slowly turning it into something playable. The neck has a thick poly finish and it plays horribly. It's a no-brainer candidate for sanding. However, I also have a '69 red 335 (can you say Alvin Lee?) that belonged to my late brother. I love playing it, but the neck finish is checked really badly and there are even a couple spots where it's worn completely through, especially around the 1st three frets. Thoughts about how best to address that? Thanks in advance.

Definately Sanded. I just started using Howards Feed & Wax with Orange Oil. 13 of my guitars mostly Fender I've sanded both sides on a Maple Fretboard & Backs of Rose Wood. Some have been sanded bare wood for 20 years. I've never had any problems with warping? I live in Burbank Ca. But I thought I'd try sealing a few & May do the rest soon it makes the Rose Wood look Awesome. Great video's you do. Thank's.

I sanded my Strat neck just enough to rough it up. I like it better that way. I agree that a fancy guitar like an LP Custom should be left as is other than natural play wear.

Very helpful video!

I've taken the green pad to every guitar neck I've ever owned. I try to give the new neck a fair chance to show me it doesn't need it, but some time in that first week I just give in and scuff it up! got a new tele arriving Monday and I'm sure it will get the same treatment. Actually, I keep a green pad on the table next to my practice chair so I can hit it again when it needs it.

Great informative video. Thank You

I used a steel wool pad on the neck of my Peavey strat-style guitar. I've had it since 1987 when I bought it new and the neck came with a super gloss finish. I hesitated to change it although I prefer the satin feel of other guitars. I know steel wool is not the recommended material to use but that's what I had on hand. I went back and forth on it a few times and a bunch of "plastic" particles came off but it didn't change the look at all. It doesn't look scratched and I can't see the difference but it feels much better and I wish I had done it a long time ago. I'm painting a black strat now and I'm going to paint the neck but go for this satin feel. Haven't decided if I'm going to relic it yet but I've played with that while sanding the current paint and it does look good. I'm thinking about removing all paint and using a stain/sealer to darken and age the wood, then painting it black lacquer and possibly clear-coating then sanding through so the wood shows in parts. It's a "vintage" Squier but plays and feels great so it's a good guitar to experiment on. And I will be using sand paper and green scotch pads, not steel wool.

I got a set up on my 70's Les Paul copy ... I love the guitar. When the tech finished he pulled out some OOOO steel wool and went over the back of the neck ... DAMN, it sure did make a difference. OOOO Steel Wool took off the shine but left a nice luster and moves so fast. I don't regret it in the least.

Awesome video. Helpful.

just did it to my Lester Paul Studio (black one) -- works great for me

PRS Zach Myers signature comes with a sanded neck! Feels and slides absolutely AMAZING!

I've been a huge fan of unfinished necks for over 20 years (since owning a Peavey Wolfgang). Most of my current guitars arrived with unfinished or satin finished necks as standard. These all get the same treatment; 2500 grit wet'n'dry, using Lemon Oil as 'lube'. This produces a lovely natural smooth shine to the wood and seals it too. Just finished doing a Jem Jr and it simply feels 'played in' now. I've done all my Jems (even MIJ). I wouldn't strip a Gloss Poly finish neck though. Some things are better left as the factory intended IMO

I did this to a squier jag I bought. I can fly on that thing now.

I love my 60’s roadworn! SWEEEET✌🏻

I just sanded the neck backs of two jazz basses I started with 220, then 400, and finished with 800 One neck had a tinted finish, so I will probably lightly retint The difference is amazing, especially during the recent heat wave

just knocked the gloss off the neck on my Epiphone Casino, which has a black neck. Looks way better now satin, and feels much better as well. Don't totally understand the physics of why a rougher neck has less friction and a smooth glossy neck has more friction, but the difference is significant.

I do this on most guitars that don't already have a satin neck. I just got a semi hollow jazz model with a super shiny/sticky neck. I'm trying to decide if I want to mess with the nice look of this one. Great video.

Very informative amigo!

I love the front of the fretboard to be pure gloss and sticky. It helps me keep notes held down better. But I always sand the back of the neck for plam glide. If they could make a guitar with a maple gloss fretboard and a smooth sanded down neck I would be very happy

I always sand my necks, satin neck I just use steel wool till its smooth, poly I take off with sandpaper and then steel wool and oil it if it goes down to the wood to seal it.

I used a green scrubbing pad like the one you showed to wear off the gloss from the back of the neck on my G&L ASAT Bluesboy. I did this after I played a gig where my hand was stuck to the neck all night. Problem solved!

Well now, I got a Lentz strat, and most people would think I'm crazy to touch the finish, but after playing it, I knew I had to do something as my hands were sticking on the neck for fast slides or just moving around in the upper frets, the nitro finish had been done in 2006 and it still wasn't dry. After taping along the fret board and on the ends I tried just some 2000 wet sand lite, it was much better, but needed more, so I went to a 800 wet sand, and a 1200 wet sand, and finished it with 2000 on sanding, used rubbing compound on it, and then I used a good wax on it, it plays a 100% better, now its mine, and I love to play it. I may put a shellac finish on it, but I don't know if I need too, as I wax at least once a month with a Carnauba type wax.

Thanks. Good video, lots of good information. What are the sealers that are made specifically for guitar necks?

I love how glossy necks feel the majority of the time, but satin finishes definitely play better when playing leads all over the neck. I'm going to try doing this to one of my guitars, if I like it enough I might do it to the others.

I think the reluctance you’re talking about with sanding a Les Paul black Beauty is understandable. Bolt on necks are replaceable, set necks, not so much. A black beauty has a high value aesthetic and “Les” of a worn in vibe. ;) You wouldn’t wear distressed slacks or worn in work boots with your suit, but in the right circumstances, both are powerful tools for communicating specific things.

Playing outdoors often in a humid area, I can agree with sanding finish off the neck, its only a problem with humidity. Gross, even.

I have a 57 VOS Les Paul Custom - Tom Murphy aged! I Peter Greened the neck pickup and it sounds fantastic and I love the versatility of the 2 pickup and four pots system. What I don't like is the weight (I'm almost 66 now and have the broadest strap I could find) and the way the neck feels as I'm playing. I hate that stickiness that I don't get on my 93 Strat. I have rubbed the neck down with scourers and the result lasts about a gig. I am reluctant to go down to bare wood as my future widow will have to sell this guitar one day - and I can't see the point of stripping it and spraying it black poly, but unless I do something, this baby will never rock again. Decisions, decisions!!

Where did you get that amazing artwork behind you? Love that. Great Video aswell. Thanks

Big fan of sanded necks, though I’ve never done it myself. Recently bought a Nash strat that’s down to wood like the Roadworn, feels tremendous. I’ll have to email them asking if applying oil at some point is a good idea. I bought a Nitro Fender strat some years ago where the neck was literally sticky, as in the Nitro hadn’t cured completely, several months after buying it. Took it to a good luthier and was my first foray into neck sanding. Can’t go back now!

Ive refinished a bunch of necks now. Typically what i do is sand, stain, and gloss clear poly. Then polish everying. THEN, just break the glaze on the back of the neck with a green pad. Ultra smooth doing this after its been polished

I love my Telecaster and if it ever got lost, stolen or destroyed I would be Absolutely Devastated. But because I love it so much I don't mind making modifications to it to make it feel and play even better.

I used tru oil on the back of my Jackson, it’s nice and smooth now.

Probably well late, but. Norton make a synthetic 000 steel wool pad. Just sanded the neck on my strat as well as a G & L Bluesboy (which felt way over lacquered) Great finish and improvement

I use the oil and wax set by Rockinger since 1988 which also gives the neck a nice warm "honey" tint.

I like the feel of a sanded guitar, I find it somewhat annoying when my sweaty hands stick on finished necks. I had a knock off Les Paul that had a maple neck, I sanded it down to bare wood (similar to Zakk Wylde) and boy that made a night and day difference in playability. I used 0000 steel wool on an Epi Les Paul neck and loved how it felt.

I did it first on my Squier CV Strat. Played so much better. I have been a bit reluctant of doing it on my PRS and my Les Paul, but finally did it and I don't regret it. I have no intention of getting rid of them and I like not having my guitars put a fight with me. Recently got a Gretsch G5420T and I'll wait a bit to do it, but I will eventually.

Thanks man. Just what I needed to hear. Steel wool, check! 😅

I've Sanded On All My Fender Maple & Rosewood Fretboard Guitars Front & Back On Maple FB's. Just Love Em That Way. Been Doen it For The Last 37 Years. I Sometimes Rub in Gun Oil? Never Had Any Trouble With Fret Sprouting Or Bowing. In Burbank Ca. Great Show. This Channel Thanks ❤ 🇺🇸 😁

Tung oil is the finish you may have been trying to recall.

i bought a 10 years old American Standard Strat with a bare wood sanded down Neck. I was very sceptical before i touched it the first time. It is the best feeling neck ive ever touched. I just rub it with warwick beeswax once a while.

I find that my hands sweat a lot sometimes when I play, so if the neck is too glossy my hands stick and it slows me down. I have used steel wool but now I'm gonna try the green pad.

Can anyone tell me how difficult it is to sand the polish off my '50's Strat neck? Or most importantly do you suggest a pro to do it, or is it easy enough to do on my own? Thank you! Also, belt sander or by hand?

I don't sand the necks down to the wood, but I use 0000-steel wool to make them smoother. Not that much of effort, and it pays out though without modifying the guitar significantly. Protecting/covering the pickups is key.

I have two MIM stratocasters , on tele and a Gibson Melody Maker that I have sanded down the neck. To me it was a big improvement in feel. My more expensive guitars stay original.

Sanded necks all the way!!!....i sand them down then re-finish with tung oil...3-4 coats then lightly sanded, just enough to seal the wood....makes the necks super smooth and fast!!!....im wanna do it to my les paul but haven't pulled the trigger yet...im too afraid i will "eff"it up!!!

I have the same roadworn series guitar, I like the feel of that neck the most out of all my guitars. Im thinking of sanding down the neck on a standard tele. Funny enough Squire Bullet strats have a nice neck feel.

Great video, thank you! I have a Fender Tele with a glossy male neck and the stickiness is driving me nuts. Do you think this method would work for the front of the fretboard too, if you were careful between each fret?

I only like tele and strats...and Yes I sand every guitar I own to my personal taste....each one is sanded down for that particular guitar. Especially on the frets and round off edge of the fretboard .

You know I've done some research, viewed alot of these videos about sanding the neck, someone mentioned cleaning the neck with alcohol, one person mentioned windex, couldn't find alcohol yesterday, so I tried windex cleaner, wow my strat neck was dirty! cleaned it with a micro cloth and just a little windex, feels almost like new, almost, if I ever want to sell or trade in a guitar, sanding the neck will decrease the value, I'm gonna clean my ultra strat here shortly too, food for thought!!!

if you're reading the comments wondering if you should do this or not DO IT! you won't mess up your guitar, I promise. Very hard to over-do it.

I have a poly neck guitar and have been sanding the sheen off for years, simply because I prefer the matt feel. I have only just become aware that doing so, is a 'Thing'.

I like to feel the wood no pun intended

Hello man, thanks a lot for this video, it gives me more security in taking the decision of sanding the neck of one of my guitars. However, it also leaves me with this doubt. Towards the end you mention that you would never do this to a "black beauty" les paul. Apart from the subjective taste, and the aesthetic aspect you mention, are there any other objective factors why one should not do this to this guitar? my own purpose is to apply the sanding to an epiphone les paul custom pro. If you could give me some light on this, it would be very much appreciated, for that specific case you mention, it's the one case i have in mind doing. Thanks!

Honest video, thanks, but why no mention of using spray can satin lacquer to finish a sanded neck?

All my guitars, that are keepers, get the neck sanded back. My hands sweat a bit and stick too much to glossy necks. I quite like the feel of untreated maple, or a thin Tru Oil finish that's been lightly sanded to a satin finish. I have an Epiphone LP that I love but I hate the ultra-shiny poly finish on it. I've already sanded back the neck which makes it play and feel a lot better. At some point I'm going to dull down and possibly sand off all the poly from the front of the guitar to give it a more satin vintage look, that will I believe, show off the flamed maple cap better.

skin acid/oil breaks down nitro ; my gibson neck was redone and it wore off again ....DIRECTIONS for raw wood neck.clean the wood use turpentine and you don't have to wait as long for drying as you would with soap and water ..purpose of the cleaning is to remove skin oil and filth from wood .Apply southerland wells polymerized tung oil as directions state .If your sanding off the poly do the same after poly is removed .many of us hate poly .of course you could stain the wood darker to make it appear as if it has years of filth in the pores of the wood but i personally don't dig on that

I sanded down to bare wood my telecaster’s neck...but i didn’t protected it 😣 What is the worst that can happen? Can the sound of my guitar change? Now it has moisture all over it. Is there a way to fix it?

I had my tech sand my 57 reissue strat. It definitely feels better but I wouldn’t say it feels as good as a factory satin fender neck unfortunately!

I have done it several times but I only have the strat now with the sanded neck. I can't do it to my 335 or Casino or tele so far.

Great informative video ! Now time to sand my shit down! !!!

What 8s the best sealer to use on a sanded bare wood neck?

I took a magic eraser to my Gibson Les Paul. Smoothed the neck right up. No more sticky

I let the finished taken off the neck by a luthier. The guitar plays much nicer now. I would do it to all my new guitars or buy non finished necks.

Hi I’ve just scotch Brite my nitro strat neck heavily, and I’m not sure if I’ve hit bare wood, I’m hoping not but how do I tell? The Color of the neck has lost its tint. Does that mean it’s bare wood?

Question, when sanding do you go with the grain or against?

I have lightly wet sanded the back of a Tele neck with 1000 grit sandpaper to get a smoother satin feel. I also polished the fret board to high gloss for easier bending and vibrato. I'm not a fan of "relic" guitars. Mine all look very good and are naturally aged at worst. I get bummed out if they get a dent or chip. The worst one I have is a mid 80s Epiphone acoustic thatt has long finish checking on the sides and wear and sweat discoloration where the arm rests.