Satin vs. Gloss finish on a neck.

[sayheyjeff]

I had to come home and take a look to see what I like playing. Turns out O have 3 gloss and a satin. The gloss necks look right on my gloss guitars and the satin goes with the satin to my eyes. playing one vs the other on my guitars is a real non-issue.

jeff

[John Osthoff]

Well so far, it looks like it is worth the extra effort to go with a satin neck on my spec guitars. I am not a chemist, nor do I play one on TV, but I think the flattening paste my have some sterates in it contributing to the more slick feel although would not account for the folks who like the gloss neck "scuffed" up with some 0000 steel wool.

Oh a couple have commented on the guitar (really just the headstock) in the photos so, I thought I would post a picture the whole guitar.

[bfloyd6969]

^^ Beautiful guitar, John!

[John Osthoff]

Ok this post is really nothing more than a bump to bring this thread back up to the top just to see if we can get a little more feedback. After this week is up, I will thread slide away naturally. Thanks again to all who have participated and commented.

Oh and Thanks Bryan for the nice comment on the guitar

[Feste]

John,
It is interesting to note that some feel that they get unwanted fret hand noise from both satin and gloss.
I would really like to know why that is?
Is it playing style or Skin chemistry (sweaty, oily, dry)?
I have always agreed with what nobo said:

Originally Posted by nobo

Satin all the way for me when it comes to the neck. Gloss finished necks have pretty much been a dealbreaker on other potential purchases - it's just not a feel I can get on with. After time, satin finished necks do seem to gloss up somewhat, but they still feel different (and better!) to me compared to a gloss finish.

The feel of the neck is an essential part of the playing experience for me, perhaps, just as important the overall sonic capabilities of a guitar. They two go hand in hand (no pun intended). I would appreciate a follow up thread to this in the future to share what insights you glean form this research.
Thanks for the thread!

[jeastman]

So I voted, but I have to request more pictures of the fretboard inlay. Looks gorgeous.

[lw216316]

I much prefer satin.
In fact, if I did buy a guitar with gloss then I would have it changed.
My hand will 'stick' sometimes when I try to slide on a gloss neck.

- Larry

[tholmes]

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

I guess I'm in the minority - I voted "don't care". It really doesn't affect me.

It doesn't matter to me either. A satin finished neck will be gloss after I play it for a while anyway.

Tom

[guitom]

I hate satin. I like the tad of stickiness with gloss. To me it's exactly like the satin couch I tried sitting in. I kept sliding off.

[John Osthoff]

Originally Posted by jeastman

So I voted, but I have to request more pictures of the fretboard inlay. Looks gorgeous.

Ok, I will use this opportunity to bump this thread one last time. Once again, thanks for everyone that took the time to vote

jeastman, here is the pix you requested ->

[joe white]

Very, very pretty John!

[Mystic]

My Martin 000-18GE started off as satin and got shiney from me playing it pretty fast. I really can't tell any difference when playing it.

[Chazmo]

Originally Posted by getgo

Very, very pretty John!

Ditto. Another beautiful Osthoff guitar, John!! Is that a redwood soundboard?

[Wepeel]

I voted for satin - my J-45 has a gloss neck and I have to wipe it down a few times per session to get rid of the fingerprint buildup and stickiness. My D-16gt had a satin neck that is now polished after all the playing, but for some reason it doesn't accrue the buildup the Gibson does.

[John Osthoff]

Originally Posted by Chazmo

Ditto. Another beautiful Osthoff guitar, John!! Is that a redwood soundboard?

Thanks, Yup Sinker redwood.

Thanks to you too Getgo ... do you happen to know if the flattening paste has sterates in it that may contribute what seems to be a more slippery surface?