Neck Finish: Bass StingRay Kit

Method used

To achieve this guitar neck finish on the MusicMan StingRay bass neck kit, these guitar finishing products were used, taking care to sand the neck beforehand:

• a natural water-based filler,
• a honey-colored liquid tincture,
• Brilliant water-based varnish (approximately 500mL is required).

The filler was mixed with the dye and applied to the back and head of the guitar neck: 2 coats. Then a new coat of stain was applied to adjust the shade of the neck as desired. Finally, a water-based guitar neck varnish was applied with a brush, with light sanding between coats. 6 coats of varnish were applied in total to complete this maple bass neck finish.

Expert comment

A fairly usual technique, very well done on this neck of our StingRay kit guitar. Note that on maple a filler is not strictly necessary, since the pores are very tight and you can simply apply stain and varnish. In that case, the varnish will require ~2 additional coats. Be careful to let each coat dry fully before recoating. If you are equipped for it, spraying the varnish is more interesting: you can reduce the quantity used and get better adhesion by first applying a water-based primer. When choosing between guitar neck finish types, this brushed water-based varnish gives a durable, hard-wearing surface that feels great in the hand. A final polishing step (#10) can be worthwhile if you want more shine on your music man neck finish.

Products to obtain this finish

This finish can be reproduced by selecting our WATER-BASED FINISHING KIT - DYE AND NATURAL and choosing, for example:

• A honey-colored dye
• A glossy water-based varnish 1L

We also recommend a Préval spray for the last coats, and Polishing #5 if you want a shinier result. Note that if you prefer, the varnish can be replaced by polyurethane or nitrocellulose varnish.