Gibson 'sticky neck' syndrome

dhstaab · #1 November 1st, 2009, 10:06 PM

I've asked this question on several forums, including Gibson, but haven't gotten anything helpful except suggestions to wipe the neck with naptha (lighter fluid). Thought I'd try here to see if anyone had a different solution. It does seem to be a popular topic on some forums.

I have a Gibson ES-359 and a Gibson Les Paul Standard, both relatively new, and both necks get sticky after playing 15 minutes or so. I wash my hands, rub down the necks, use naptha and Gibson polish, but after a few months of trying it hasn't improved much. I have 5 other guitars and only the Gibsons have this problem.

I actually talked personally to a tech from Gibson at a guitar show and was told sometimes it takes a year or so for the stickiness to go away, and leaving the guitars out of the cases to air usually worked best. He mentioned sanding the necks but said officially Gibson would not recommend that due to warranty concerns.

So, has anyone come up with anything new?

ez-one · #2 November 3rd, 2009, 04:42 AM

depending on the type of finish you might be able to use a wood fruniture paste wax like Johnsons.

bobthecow · #3 November 3rd, 2009, 03:33 PM

just use your standard guitar polish and then wax it

Crash · #4 November 4th, 2009, 08:23 AM

I use Meguires quick detailer to polish my guitars and it works well on the neck of my Ibanez, I haven't noted any sticking issues plus it works better than pledge and doesn't leave a film behind.

Jabs · #5 November 4th, 2009, 09:01 AM

That doesn't sound right, Id take them back to where you bought them, for what you paid for these the finish should not be softening up.

bobthecow · #6 November 4th, 2009, 12:31 PM

If it is a nitro finish neck it should

dhstaab · #7 November 6th, 2009, 08:55 AM

Apparently the Gibson Custom Shop in Memphis has changed their process and either is not applying it consistently or no longer allows the nitro finish to cure as they once did. These both came from Guitar Center (I know, I know...) and I assume they mass produce them specifically for GC. Hence the manufacturing shortcuts. Obviously Gibson Custom Shop is now a marketing term and doesn't mean what it once did.

The latest suggestion from Gibson is NOT to polish it because it prevents curing of the nitro finish. He said the only permanent solution is long term contact with air. Interesting. Maybe that has been my problem all along - I was using the Gibson polish every time it got sticky, which means every time I played the guitars. The more expensive ES-359 has always been worse than the LP.

By the way the guy from Gibson told me never, ever to keep one of their nitro finished guitars in a guitar stand more than an hour or two. Since the nitro is not properly cured on these guitars he suggested not putting them in a stand for even a few minutes. He reminded me of the warning in the Gibson warranty that says the nitro breaks down the padding on the stand and it transfers to the guitar, doing permanent irreversible damage to the finish. He told me to always put a Gibson guitar on a white cotton cloth - nothing dyed, and suggested putting something like white socks on the guitar stand. Gee, that would look cool when you're out gigging.

Thanks to all for the input, and I may try Meguires if the problem subsides enough to try polishing the guitars again.

I post an update after I let them air for a while.

Jabs · #8 November 6th, 2009, 11:09 AM

They shouldnt have been sent to market until they were properly cured.

bobthecow · #9 November 6th, 2009, 04:19 PM

Nitro guitars will always lose their paint and clearcoat. That is why we pay more for them guys. It is true vintage technology. My Jaguar has bad spots in the finish just from my long sleeve shirts when i strum.

Whether the nitro is cured or not has nothing to do with its flaws. It is the finish itself. If you want a guitar that will look the exact same in 10 years as it did when it came from the factory then you need to buy one with a poly-crylic coat.

Jabs · #10 November 7th, 2009, 08:26 AM

I think Im being mis-understood, I realize the aging/wear properties of true nitro but I also know for a fact that it should not get sticky after fifteen minuets of play. I have a 1956 Vega that is true nitro, it is nice and yellow and is cracked and worn through all over but nowhere is there a soft or sticky spot. Remember that automobiles were once painted with nitro, didn't have these kinds of issues then.

Its difficult to get true nitro cellulose lacquer today, most of the 'vintage' finishes we see are some other variation on a great finish and there is simply no reason to be told by one of the leading manufactures that one needs to rub the neck with naphtha, or let it air dry to get the guitar playable again.
Thats absurd to me.