Q: There has been somewhat of a revival in terms of stripping a guitar's neck finish. Many guitars being made today now come with a matte or satin neck finish. I have a recent Les Paul and was contemplating whether I should strip the neck to get the more organic feel you get with an unfinished neck. I know that I do like playing guitars with stripped or minimally finished necks. I'd appreciate any advice on the subject!

A: First off, a neck that has been stripped to bare wood is not a very good idea. If you're willing to do the work, there are steps you'll have to take to make sure the neck will hold up over the long haul. Why? Because unfinished wood can be penetrated by moisture, which is a bad thing. At a bare minimum, a guitar's neck should be sealed with a gun oil and wax blend. Also, because mahogany (as used for the necks on most Les Pauls) is a rather porous wood, a grain filler may be required. As always, we suggest having this done by a qualified luthier. If you insist on doing it yourself, at least buy a cheap guitar in a pawn shop or online to get a little practice before you start stripping the finish on your Les Paul.