My acoustic 6 string.

[C.W.Wolf]

See if you can find bore oil. It's a woodwind product that's made safe for unfinished wood. That or boiled linseed oil, also highly recommended.

I wouldn't use lemon oil unless it's pure.

I use a lot of boiled linseed oil on wood that will be outdoors, shovel handles, exposed cedar etc. Had never thought about using it on a fretboard.

I am searching the forum and keep finding (Sticky Nitro neck syndrome), so it looks like a fairly common thing. I guess there are a lot of things that can react with the finish.

 

[chazmo]

Yeah, it's definitely a common thing, C. W. Follow Chris' advice above and if you have any questions about care and feeding, just shout.

It does sound like some schmutz got on the neck when someone put it away. One possibility is that someone cleaned the case and used something that reacts with the NCL. More likely though it's just something that was on their hands.

I was thinking that soap and water might work OK on your neck. It should't be exposed wood. But, Chris' advice is gold! No point in risking it getting into the wood when you can use naphtha.

 

[midnightright]

I think that, sometimes too, as I understand it--they can get that way from having been stored in their cases with the strap touching the surface.

 

[Christopher Cozad]

I think that, sometimes too, as I understand it--they can get that way from having been stored in their cases with the strap touching the surface.

You are correct, midnightright. The “finish” (and even the tanning chemicals) used on some leathers, along with some plastics, will have a deleterious effect on NitroCellulose Lacquer, acting to dissolve the finish over time. I once had a guitar case (not a Guild case) whose lid retainer strap “melted” an imprint into one of my instruments.

 

[Opsimath]

Do not use alcohol in any form, as it may/will cloud your judgement; er, finish.

Great sense of humor!

 

[C.W.Wolf]

Yeah, it's definitely a common thing, C. W. Follow Chris' advice above and if you have any questions about care and feeding, just shout.

It does sound like some schmutz got on the neck when someone put it away. One possibility is that someone cleaned the case and used something that reacts with the NCL. More likely though it's just something that was on their hands.

I was thinking that soap and water might work OK on your neck. It should't be exposed wood. But, Chris' advice is gold! No point in risking it getting into the wood when you can use naphtha.

I am wondering if perhaps there is a guitar stand at my granddaughters house it may have been placed in? It is about the right area of the neck.

 

[C.W.Wolf]

I think that, sometimes too, as I understand it--they can get that way from having been stored in their cases with the strap touching the surface.

That is a possibility, although it is the same strap I have had on the guitar since I have had it.

 

[C.W.Wolf]

You are correct, midnightright. The “finish” (and even the tanning chemicals) used on some leathers, along with some plastics, will have a deleterious effect on NitroCellulose Lacquer, acting to dissolve the finish over time. I once had a guitar case (not a Guild case) whose lid retainer strap “melted” an imprint into one of my instruments.

Upon closer inspection, it is where the neck sits on the support in the case. It is the original Guild case, so perhaps something has gotten on the (Blue Fur) lining.

 

[Christopher Cozad]

The amber-colored surgical tubing covered guitar stands were notorious for creating “sticky” lacquer necks. But that was very location-specific, targeting the back sides of the neck at the nut.

I have several Guild guitars and cases from that same era, and have never encountered a chemical reaction between the “blue faux-fur lining” and the guitars.

Perhaps an additional “something" could factor in to the equation, such as a hand creme, suntan lotion, nail polish remover, or even a spray cleaner/wax solution that came into contact with the neck and then, with the guitar sitting in the case, acted on the finish over time?

 

[C.W.Wolf]

The amber-colored surgical tubing covered guitar stands were notorious for creating “sticky” lacquer necks. But that was very location-specific, targeting the back sides of the neck at the nut.

I have several Guild guitars and cases from that same era, and have never encountered a chemical reaction between the “blue faux-fur lining” and the guitars.

Perhaps an additional “something" could factor in to the equation, such as a hand creme, suntan lotion, nail polish remover, or even a spray cleaner/wax solution that came into contact with the neck and then, with the guitar sitting in the case, acted on the finish over time?

I am starting to think it may have been a guitar pick. This is only an assumption due to the size and shape. I love the detective work, although it may be tedious to some. The only other clue I have at the moment would be Duct Tape on the case.

I will probably never know what caused it, so should it remain a mystery, perhaps one day that bell will go off, and I will have that (Ah Ha) moment. These usually come to me in the middle of the night. I seem to have more of them as I get older.

Now do I try to repair it or allow it to be what it is? Perhaps that too will come to me

 

[chazmo]

Now do I try to repair it or allow it to be what it is? Perhaps that too will come to me

Try the naphtha yourself (it's just lighter fluid), and use some on the case block as well. Rub down the bad section with some soaked cotton balls or a (clean) microfiber cloth. See what happens, C. W. You can't hurt the finish with that.

 

[Christopher Cozad]

...perhaps one day that bell will go off, and I will have that (Ah Ha) moment. These usually come to me in the middle of the night. I seem to have more of them as I get older...

{chuckle} I know exactly what you’re talking about.

 

[C.W.Wolf]

Try the naphtha yourself (it's just lighter fluid), and use some on the case block as well. Rub down the bad section with some soaked cotton balls or a (clean) microfiber cloth. See what happens, C. W. You can't hurt the finish with that.

I actually looked up the difference between naptha and lighter fluid. It appears that since around 2012, lighter fluid is not naptha anymore. Looks like zippo only contains %25 naptha and ronsonol contains "Light Hydrotreated Distillate 70% and Hydrotreated Light Naphtha 30%".

I think I will see if the hardware store has a small container of naptha.

 

[chazmo]

It's pretty much the same thing, C. W., but if you're not comfortable with Ronsonol, then get a hold of naphtha at the h/w store like you said.

 

[C.W.Wolf]

Thanks for the reply. Lost my hard drive and couldn't remember which pass I used. I have ordered some Ronsonol and will give it a try when it arrives. Where we live it is a long drive to anywhere that has what you need, unless it is something like groceries or beer.