PC1 Neck finish

[Devnor]

I just picked up a trans-black PC1 on ebay and received the guitar today...what kind of finish is on the back of the neck? Mine seems a little rough and it looks like oil/wax. Any ideas?

[rjohnstone]

It's an oil finish.
Sounds like it needs a good cleaning... maybe even hit it with some 1500 grit to help smooth it out.

I was looking at that one too... you got a great deal on it.

[Devnor]

Thanks RJ!

The neck is pretty rough for as little as the guy played it. The frets aren't even tarnished. I'll post a Jackson family photo this weekend!

[bonghits]

Congrats on your PC1 and welcome to the family! These PC1's are very addicting. You've been warned!

[danastas]

When you say "rough" do you mean some indents in the wood? Or is there a glue type substance on it? I've seen some with glue on them.

[Devnor]

It's more of a raw wood feel; if that makes sense. I'd been checking out PC1's at Fullers Vintage in Houston but they all felt stiff with dead & rusted strings. I drove 4 hours and left empty handed. This one seems nicer but then again it's my guitar.

[rjohnstone]

The necks on all PC1's are unfinished... they are oil treated.
You can hit it with some 1500 grit sandpaper to smooth it out, but you will still need to oil it afterwards.
Another option is to have the back of the neck clearcoated.

[Bengal65]

Also, if you need to oil it. And it does sound like it needs it. Use the Birchwood Casey Gun oil finish. This is the oil the factory uses. Wipe on Wipe off, Grasshopper:ROTF:

Also, like RJ said, is to hit the neck with some 1500 grit before you oil it, apply the oil with a clean cotton rag, wiping off the excess, then after the oil dries, you can buff it with some 0000 synthetic "steel" wool.

[dinky kustom]

its a nice finish and trans black

[Devnor]

Thanks Bengal...you read my mind.

This guitar has some serious sustain...that's with the sustainer off. I see why you guys like these so much. After playing those at Fuller's I had my doubts but no more.

[Bryan @ Work]

RJ is definitely the PC1 expert. Heed his words.

Congrats on the score. The PC1 is a fine guitar.

[rjohnstone]

Thanks for the compliment Bryan.

I wouldn't say I'm an "expert" on the PC1, but I have taken more than a few of them apart to learn how they were built.
Awesome guitars.

[Devnor]

Have you guys tried using Birchwood Casey wax after you oil the neck?

Mine has a couple high frets and the Floyd nut is off about 1/32" towards the treble side so it's going to the repair shop for fret job and possibly moving the locking nut.

[shredmonster]

This guitar has some serious sustain...that's with the sustainer off. I see why you guys like these so much. After playing those at Fuller's I had my doubts but no more.

I had my amp (100 watter) cranked pretty good and without using the sustainer - just vibrato - I was able to hold any note from the g string and lower indefinitely. All I had to do was keep on applying vibrato.
I was stunned by how much sustain these have.

[rjohnstone]

Have you guys tried using Birchwood Casey wax after you oil the neck?

Mine has a couple high frets and the Floyd nut is off about 1/32" towards the treble side so it's going to the repair shop for fret job and possibly moving the locking nut.

Ahhh no!!! Put the wax down and step away from the guitar.
Just oil it and then wipe it down. That's all you need.


As for the nut, you can fix that yourself pretty quick.
Just loosen the screws (the ones that go into the neck ), give it a nudge and then tighten them back down.
Most of them are shimmed and they will slip a little over time.
As for the frets, your guitar is close to 10 years old, so I'm not surprised that the frets need a little TLC.