A while back Dave and I were visiting Schoenberg Guitars in Tiburon, California checking out the great selection and we received a little trick of the trade that we’ll share with you.

One potential problem with a satin finish is that over time the oils and sweat in your fretting hand gradually build up on the neck of your guitar, creating a thin coat on your neck that isn’t always ideal for playing.

“Ought 4 steel wool” was the advice Eric gave and it worked like charm.  I own a Martin Custom D Classic Mahogany with a satin finish that I tried it on and was able to rub off a lot of oil from the neck, giving it a very smooth, easy to play neck.

You can buy #0000 Steel Wool at Amazon or any local hardware store.  Just take your time and do a little rubbing and then wipe clean.  You may have to spend some time rubbing to perfection, but it definitely improved the feel of the neck.