How do the gun-oil tinted maple necks age?

[fenderfan]

Just curious if anyone has owned a Legacy with a gun-oil tinted maple neck for a long time, and how that neck has aged (wear spots, overall aging that has taken place, etc)...maybe with some photos? I have a 2005 with such a neck, but it has been played very little, so the neck is still shiny, like when purchased new.

[yowhatsshakin]

My most played ASAT is the '99 ASAT Classic with TGN BEM neck and it still looks great.

- Jos

[jeffmarshall67]

I'll let you know in a few days, when the Fed Ex man comes!

[KenC]

I believe the BEM neck on my '98 ASAT Classic is TGN. The maple's grain absolutely glows, and the back of the neck has gotten very glossy (without feeling like a gloss neck).

Ken

[Craig]

INTERESTING QUESTION TO THE G&LDP-Faithful:

I've always kept all the price sheets from G&L over the years. And after re-reading this post, I wondered when did they start offering TGN necks?

Going back, I show the tinted gun oil with glossy neck finish first listed on the February 1, 1998 price sheet as an option and all price sheets going forward.
Double checked the past couple of years before it -- nothing for the 1/1/97 or 3/1/96 price sheets.

So anyone with a TGN neck -- BEFORE 1998? Curious if it was offered but just not on the price sheet. Frankly, I do remember ordering in late 1998 a couple of TGN guitars. But don't remember seeing it on anything else prior.

Regards,

Tim

The earliest I've seen is in the July 1, 1997 Price List:

[KenC]

So anyone with a TGN neck -- BEFORE 1998? Curious if it was offered but just not on the price sheet. Frankly, I do remember ordering in late 1998 a couple of TGN guitars. But don't remember seeing it on anything else prior.

Tim,

I think my ASAT Classic has a TGN neck, but I've never seen a confirmed example of TGN to compare it with. The maple has a translucence that must have come from some type of oil soaking in. It definitely has more depth and glow than my L-1500, which I know has a satin neck. Anyway, the neck date is November 20, 1997. The body date is later, from mid-'98.

In case it helps, here are a couple of pics of the neck and headstock:









Any thoughts on what this finish is would be appreciated!

Ken

[Craig]

So anyone with a TGN neck -- BEFORE 1998? Curious if it was offered but just not on the price sheet. Frankly, I do remember ordering in late 1998 a couple of TGN guitars. But don't remember seeing it on anything else prior.

Tim,

I think my ASAT Classic has a TGN neck, but I've never seen a confirmed example of TGN to compare it with. The maple has a translucence that must have come from some type of oil soaking in. It definitely has more depth and glow than my L-1500, which I know has a satin neck. Anyway, the neck date is November 20, 1997. The body date is later, from mid-'98.

In case it helps, here are a couple of pics of the neck and headstock:









Any thoughts on what this finish is would be appreciated!

Ken

The early GOT necks aka TGN had the gun-oil finish applied to the neck wood directly by hand and then the clear finish is applied.
Every one of these early ones that I've seen were almost orange in color (cheetos affect). It wasn't until they changed the
tinting process (applied the tint to the clear finish and then sprayed that onto the neck) did the tinted necks look more like
an aged vintage neck finish. See this post which details the old and new tint processes: http://guitarsbyleo.com/FORUM/viewtopic.php?p=50#p50.

Here's what my 1999 Z-3 SH Birdseye GOT neck looks like now:









Notice how the areas near the birdseyes are darker.

[yowhatsshakin]

Beatiful triple bound Z-3 you have there Craig. Nice!

- Jos

[darwinohm]

Ken, my thoughts are that the neck you have shown is done in clear satin. It looks to me as though it may have glossed a bit from use and perhaps some polishing over time. That would be consistent with what has happened to my satin neck. I would expect the got that is applied before the clear (old process) to show almost no aging. Modern polys will show very little aging over time. -- Darwin

[KenC]

Thanks for the input guys!

Ken