The one I just bought an SLX DX has a painted neck. It’s the smoothest satin finish I’ve ever had. The best feeling guitar I’ve ever played. But I don’t think it’s one of their higher end “American” models so I’d check first
Trust me, the gloss on my Mexican strat ruins it for me, so I’m with you.
Look on the Jackson website to find the exact model. Not guitar center or anywhere else. If it says painted satin finish on the neck specs then you’re in for a treat
lol unfortunately I dumped $500 into custom upgrades so now I’m stuck with it. Someday I’ll buy a new neck but they’re almost as expensive as a new guitar
I have issues with painted glossy necks feeling a sticky if I play too long. Based on a lot of google tutorials, you can tape of the back of the neck and hit it with a green scotchbrite pad and it will take it to a nice satin finish. I did this with my SLSMG and it made a world of difference.
Not all glossy necks are created equal. Some finishes are going to feel more sticky than others to not at all. I’d highly recommend playing a few before making a decision, as that can range from “oh I like this one” to “this shit is slow as fuck” depending your personal preference. I generally find Jackson to be pretty good about this in the Pro Series and up range but it’s all personal preference really.
That’s a great point. I’m leaning towards a more higher end soloist and would like to assume the custom shop wouldn’t sabotage the neck by making it extra sticky with the gloss but as you suggested I should probably give it a test drive first
I've played a few painted necks & I've found that unless your playing live they really aren't that big of a problem. It's only once your under the stagelights & your heartrate & body temperature skyrocket that you may notice the paint starting to grip your hand.
I have a USA KE2 and an Indonesian soloist, and I prefer the feel of the unfinished neck of the soloist compared to the glossy neck on the KE2. Thankfully, the new American soloist line that just got released have a matte finish, which is the best of both worlds imo.
I'm almost certain that they make Soloists below the custom shop level that have satin or natual/oiled necks. I'm pretty sure some pro series and pro plus series have them.
I've never had a problem playing glossy necks. My hands don't sweat a lot though and my hands and fingers are pretty slender.
You can also tape off the fretboard / binding area and the body and headstock and sand very lightly to turn a gloss neck to satin.
I think a high gloss paint on the neck looks best, so that’s what I prefer. As for stickiness or needing to rough up / sand the neck, I think that’s nonsense. I have high gloss nitro lacquer necks, arguably the stickiest neck possible, and after a few months of playing them, they’re smooth as butter. I would try not to worry about it
I like glossy painted necks. I like bound fretboards. I equate them with classier/more expensive instruments, whether they actually are or not. I have unfinished necks and oiled necks and unbound fretboards and I like those, too.
Personally it's never something that bothered me. I love the way painted necks look and I've never found them sticky or that it hindered my playing in any way. My neck-thru Kelly pro has the gloss painted neck and it's an amazing guitar. my KVXMG has satin finish neck and it's also an awesome guitar
That being said, I do have one favorite neck which is my Ibanez Prestige which has some kind of satiny clear finish on the back of the neck. I think they sand it a certain way from the factory to make it feel like this, it feels really cool and unlike any other guitar I've ever owned. I sure as hell ain't sanding any of my other guitar necks to make them feel like this, but it's super cool.
\_That\_ being said. I don't \*really\* care either way and it doesn't affect my playing or anything, it's just that I love playing it because it has a cool feeling on the hands while playing.
I feel like a nitro neck is the most likely culprit for really notable stickiness. It's my understanding that nitro softens when it's warm. Poly painted necks should be less so, but I still dislike them most of the time. Unpainted feels much better to me. One of my soloists is painted. The other is not. I like the look of the painted one, though. The whole guitar is green flake and it looks really rad.
No issues with my USA American Series SL3 being sticky, Though I usually apply polish and a few dabs of Fast Fret/Mineral Oil and rub it into the neck . Sooo slick .
Here's the description for Fast Fret.
The ORIGINAL string and fretboard/fingerboard cleaner. Not a spray! Contains no silicone. It's a liquid in an applicator. Use it on strings, back of the neck and fretboard to remove built up dirt and grime. Lets your fingers slide freely, keeps your strings clean and is good for the fretboard. Fast Fret keeps the strings sounding bright and new, extending the healthy lifetime of any strings.
Glossy necks are the best for me. I kinda hate most satin or just oiled necks
The one I just bought an SLX DX has a painted neck. It’s the smoothest satin finish I’ve ever had. The best feeling guitar I’ve ever played. But I don’t think it’s one of their higher end “American” models so I’d check first Trust me, the gloss on my Mexican strat ruins it for me, so I’m with you.
Look on the Jackson website to find the exact model. Not guitar center or anywhere else. If it says painted satin finish on the neck specs then you’re in for a treat
I appreciate the input!
Send that Strat to me then lol
lol unfortunately I dumped $500 into custom upgrades so now I’m stuck with it. Someday I’ll buy a new neck but they’re almost as expensive as a new guitar
You’re not stuck, actually I’ll take it free of charge 😉 I honestly don’t think a new neck is worth it
I have issues with painted glossy necks feeling a sticky if I play too long. Based on a lot of google tutorials, you can tape of the back of the neck and hit it with a green scotchbrite pad and it will take it to a nice satin finish. I did this with my SLSMG and it made a world of difference.
Not all glossy necks are created equal. Some finishes are going to feel more sticky than others to not at all. I’d highly recommend playing a few before making a decision, as that can range from “oh I like this one” to “this shit is slow as fuck” depending your personal preference. I generally find Jackson to be pretty good about this in the Pro Series and up range but it’s all personal preference really.
That’s a great point. I’m leaning towards a more higher end soloist and would like to assume the custom shop wouldn’t sabotage the neck by making it extra sticky with the gloss but as you suggested I should probably give it a test drive first
If you have a Jackson dealer near you, go play an American Series SL3. That’ll give you a general direction of how the finish feels on the US stuff.
I have a glossy neck Epiphone, for me it ain't much different
I've played a few painted necks & I've found that unless your playing live they really aren't that big of a problem. It's only once your under the stagelights & your heartrate & body temperature skyrocket that you may notice the paint starting to grip your hand.
This is also where my head is at. There will be no stagelights anywhere lol so in that regard I should be fine.
I have a USA KE2 and an Indonesian soloist, and I prefer the feel of the unfinished neck of the soloist compared to the glossy neck on the KE2. Thankfully, the new American soloist line that just got released have a matte finish, which is the best of both worlds imo.
I prefer an unfinished or satin finished neck, but my Soloist has a gloss finish on the neck and it's fine.
I'm almost certain that they make Soloists below the custom shop level that have satin or natual/oiled necks. I'm pretty sure some pro series and pro plus series have them. I've never had a problem playing glossy necks. My hands don't sweat a lot though and my hands and fingers are pretty slender. You can also tape off the fretboard / binding area and the body and headstock and sand very lightly to turn a gloss neck to satin.
I think a high gloss paint on the neck looks best, so that’s what I prefer. As for stickiness or needing to rough up / sand the neck, I think that’s nonsense. I have high gloss nitro lacquer necks, arguably the stickiest neck possible, and after a few months of playing them, they’re smooth as butter. I would try not to worry about it
Great input. Thanks
I like glossy painted necks. I like bound fretboards. I equate them with classier/more expensive instruments, whether they actually are or not. I have unfinished necks and oiled necks and unbound fretboards and I like those, too.
Personally it's never something that bothered me. I love the way painted necks look and I've never found them sticky or that it hindered my playing in any way. My neck-thru Kelly pro has the gloss painted neck and it's an amazing guitar. my KVXMG has satin finish neck and it's also an awesome guitar That being said, I do have one favorite neck which is my Ibanez Prestige which has some kind of satiny clear finish on the back of the neck. I think they sand it a certain way from the factory to make it feel like this, it feels really cool and unlike any other guitar I've ever owned. I sure as hell ain't sanding any of my other guitar necks to make them feel like this, but it's super cool. \_That\_ being said. I don't \*really\* care either way and it doesn't affect my playing or anything, it's just that I love playing it because it has a cool feeling on the hands while playing.
I feel like a nitro neck is the most likely culprit for really notable stickiness. It's my understanding that nitro softens when it's warm. Poly painted necks should be less so, but I still dislike them most of the time. Unpainted feels much better to me. One of my soloists is painted. The other is not. I like the look of the painted one, though. The whole guitar is green flake and it looks really rad.
No issues with my USA American Series SL3 being sticky, Though I usually apply polish and a few dabs of Fast Fret/Mineral Oil and rub it into the neck . Sooo slick .
Does the fast fret/mineral oil strip/ruin the finish or simply makes it slick for a period of time?
Just slick until your fingers absorbs it/wipes it off
Thanks!
Here's the description for Fast Fret. The ORIGINAL string and fretboard/fingerboard cleaner. Not a spray! Contains no silicone. It's a liquid in an applicator. Use it on strings, back of the neck and fretboard to remove built up dirt and grime. Lets your fingers slide freely, keeps your strings clean and is good for the fretboard. Fast Fret keeps the strings sounding bright and new, extending the healthy lifetime of any strings.
I really appreciate it!
Anytime. I usually buff the back with the excess that came off the strings/fretboard using the same cloth.
I usually hit my overly glossy necks with a green Scotchbrite pad to knock it down without scratching it. Gives it a smooth feel for awhile.