1986 Invader neck finish

[adamdn]

Hi everyone.

I have question in case someone knows.

I have a 1986 Invader with a satin finish neck that has me puzzled. Honestly, it almost seems like no finish, and I'm wondering if someone simply sanded it off. But it seems like this would have been a pretty major effort as it looks fairly thorough, even on the heel. There are some very small signs of finish there, but it could also be from the body as well.

The neck is dated Feb 1986, and it is clearly original and not a replacement.

My question is did G&L at this time ever offer a satin finish neck as an option, even custom order?

Personally, I don't like the feel and and am considering respraying a layer of clear nitro like all other G&Ls of this era had (that I'm aware of), but if it is original I'd prefer not to do this.


Thanks,
Adam

[adamdn]

Bump. Anyone have any ideas or thoughts on my unfinished '86 invader neck?

The more closely I looked at it the more I think this neck came original this way. I suspect what little indications of finish may actually be a base coat. It's my understanding G&L started using some sort of poly base coat at or around '85, so it's possible they sprayed the base coat but not the nitro top coat. Also, the back of the headstock has a chalky appearance, and my further research says this can happen with a poly base coat exposed for years to UV light.

I'm wondering if this was a custom request, prototype, or show guitar. Any other thoughts?


Adam

[adamdn]

Interestingly, I just found the following posted by Craig on this forum, regarding G&L Rampage. Since the Invader is basically a cousin to the Rampage line, I'm wondering if this is what I have? The only thing is I don't notice an amber hue.

You should keep in mind that all production Rampage guitars came through with an "oiled" neck meaning
the backside maple was treated with a finish made by a company called Birchwood Casey. The headstock
got painted or was left natural and got a clearcoat but the back of the neck was tinted amber hue with an
awesome bare wood feeling to it due to the oiled finish. I have seen a couple of Rampage's that had a
gloss poly finish from the factory but these were both special orders.

[Craig]

Interestingly, I just found the following posted by Craig on this forum, regarding G&L Rampage. Since the Invader is basically a cousin to the Rampage line, I'm wondering if this is what I have? The only thing is I don't notice an amber hue.

You should keep in mind that all production Rampage guitars came through with an "oiled" neck meaning
the backside maple was treated with a finish made by a company called Birchwood Casey. The headstock
got painted or was left natural and got a clearcoat but the back of the neck was tinted amber hue with an
awesome bare wood feeling to it due to the oiled finish. I have seen a couple of Rampage's that had a
gloss poly finish from the factory but these were both special orders.

Please post photos so we can see what you got. To post photos, see: Tutorial: Posting photos.

Looking forward to seeing your guitar.