Yeah I think those natural oils is that cause in that tackyness. About that maple I dont know I bought that piece from my friend and it has proven to be worth all I payed for it. That piece had enought to make another top for some project. Forgot to mention earlier about that basses weight. With all the hardware on its weight is about 5kg. because of that long upper horna and ultralite tuners theres no neck weightness at all. And it has quite long sustain too .