Need Neck Advise - Burnished Roasted Maple?

[tbiser]

I'm putting together a partscaster for myself and and got everything together but just need to order the neck. I was thinking about going with a 2-piece roasted maple/rosewood from USACG. I'm thinking of going roasted as I've heard it doesn't need a finish and heard that a burnished neck is silky smooth, which intrigued me.

Anyone got experience with roasted unfinished/burnished maple necks? Do they need any regular maintenance on them, like waxing or applying oil? Can they really go naked for the long haul without warping or cracking? The idea sounds cool, but wondering if I'm opening up a can or worms going the unfinished route. Anyone with long-term experience? Thoughts?

 

[OtherJMac]

Haven't had a roasted maple neck, but have unfinished canary and paduak necks, which I sanded to 1200 & then hit with lemon oil now and then, and they feel faaaantastic. As far as lasting, as hard as maple is I imagine even a normal maple neck would hold up fine, apart from getting dirty, as long as you're not storing it in a sauna or something.

 

[Lelik]

It is anyway strange - or I should say conflicting - the fact that Warmoth says that roasted maple doesn't neet any finishing, on the contrary for example USACG (if they did not change it) suggests to make a finish, too.
I'm interested in the roasted maple (both neck and fretboard), too, for my next build...

 

[Ronkirn]

Just ask the necks maker if it's guaranteed in you leave it unfinished.. that'll answer all questions with one query..

Ron Kirn

 

[tbiser]

Thanks, everyone, for your responses. I spoke with Tommy over at USACG when placing my order and he was hesitant to endorse the idea that roasted maple necks didn't need a finish. I didn't ask him about warranty, though. So, I decided to save $30 and go plain maple. I might try a roasted 1 piece at some point. He said that he did really notice much of a difference in tone between roasted and non-roasted, but said that the biggest differences are the stability of the wood and the obvious aesthetic differences. I believe he said that they look better on darker colored bodies.

 

[Ronkirn]

which reminds me.... to pass on good info... Tommy (USACG)told me last week that they have reduced the price on Roasted Maple significantly... so while still a premium choice, which translates into more $, at least now it's only $$ and not $$$$$

Live Long and prosper... and practice... never forget to practice...

rk

 

[tbiser]

It's been a $30 up-charge for at least a few weeks now. Will it go down more from there? That was my first purchase from USACG. $30 is a great deal. I backed off to keep the cost down and spend the extra $$$ on SS frets and clay dots. If I were going 1piece or 2piece all maple, it'd be a no-brainer must-add.