Johnny Marr’s not a fan of satin necks on guitars: “Wear it down yourself, you lazy sod!”
Johnny Marr‘s got a bone to pick with guitarists who favour a satin neck.
More traditional gloss necks are prone to becoming ‘sticky’, especially when played in hot, sweaty environments. This is why some prefer a satin neck, which has an easier worn-in feel and eliminates some of the friction between the neck and fretting hand. As such, it improves speed and neck navigation.
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However, Marr prefers the more traditional gloss neck. While sweat might be an impediment, some guitarists believe they offer better grip.
“I have to try and talk about the neck without sounding offensive or angry,” he tells Guitar World. “Satin finishes: why? No need. You’re really playing that fast that you need to have a satin neck? Really?”
Some players sand down their gloss necks to create a vintage worn-in feel. Wearing a gloss neck in can improve its playability – but Marr takes issue with this as well.
“Like, a beautiful glossy neck, that was on all the old guitars since time immemorial – your technique is so dazzling, or you’re so uncomfortable putting your hand on that gloss, or you’re so affronted by it, that we’ve had to have years of really bad finishes on necks? No need. Wear it down yourself, you lazy sod!”
True to form, all of Marr’s signatures have gloss necks, including his new Martin M-6 and M-7 and his signature Fender Jaguar.
Notably, the gloss neck on the signature Jag is a departure from Fender’s usual penchant for satin necks on its modern builds.
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Source: www.guitar-bass.net
