@Ceri: Thanks man! I'm totally aware that I could embed pics in my post (nerdy computer engineer here ) but most of the forums I go to have policies against loading your thread with pics for bandwidth purposes. So I kinda took it the safe way and just didn't embed any pics

As for staining, nah, I think I'll keep it like that cause I've always thought skunk stripes were boring anyway

@orvilleowner: I was talking about the actives yes. The SA1's or something? I've always had the Wylde set (81/85) but never active single coils. I'll look up ebay for used strat ones (maybe the original strat plus gold sensors!) and see what I can come up with.

Now that I think of it, the idea of used parts makes more sense. Eventhough I could bring the neck back to "as new" condition as I'm going to refinish it (hopefully will not have to sand the face of the headstock too!) and relevel and recrown the frets as they're a bit worn out. But I'm very happy with the turnout as it was quite challenging since I had to do it by hand and not with a small router bit and a drillpress.

Thanks for the responses guys! Really appreciated! Keep'em coming!