can i get some opinions on this from luthiers and such?

[johnny00]

i have a beautiful newer bluesbird. sounds amazing, looks amazing, but the back of the neck is a bit bulky.

would it be possible to sand the back of the neck a little smaller, shape it to my liking, then put a clear coat or satin finish on it to protect the wood?? i've done this on a bolt-on neck but this is different.

it's a polyurethane finish, so i'm wondering what issues that will cause.

i don't want to sell the guitar, but i may end up selling if i cant slim down the neck a bit.

thanks!

 

[wright1]

Johnny, You can have this thinning done to your guitar and I think it really depends on how much you want to keep this instrument.If it is a keeper,have the work done and play on. If you can't see a lifetime with it, sell it and find a instrument that has the neck you are looking for. If you find a good luthier then the type of finish shouldn't be a problem. The only thing is that poly can not be blended like nitro. You would have to find the right place to make the join and this may need the whole neck stripping and there will still be tell tale signs. You can't blend nitro into poly. Another issue may be that you will weaken the neck.It could be that the neck is made thick to avoid warranty problems but Guild necks(in fact most makes) have varied over the years maybe you just need to find one with the neck for you. I too have removed the finish from the playing area of necks and coated it with tung oil and such for a better feel but I would be reluctant to change the profile of a perfectly good neck and haven't ever done that.
After all that waffle I suppose I am saying leave well alone. Find a guitar that ticks all the boxes.

 

[johnny00]

thanks for the info and advice. i think you're right, and I'll sell it. It's very unique looking, light weight and the sound is so great, but I will leave it as is and it will go to a good home I'm sure.
Thanks again!