Noted! I'll get right onto it, Mr Twelvebar, Sir!

BTW: I wonder if samborafan1122 is finding this thread useful? Or is wondering what the heck is going on...

Cheers - C

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haha im half there half not mate, reaping in what i can , still any advice is great keep it coming!!

_________________
"Just because a guitarist's fingers move quick, it does not make them have all the talent and skill"

"Melodic is the key"
________________________
Richie Sambora Fender Strat
Parts-o-Caster
Floyd Rose DST3
Crate 120w stack amp

So, another method, not majorly involved, but probably what your guy wanted 180 for.
You can pick up some EL-Cheap-O wood filler and pack it in there. (the smoothing down flush with a knife could show cracks after it dries. or might leave a dimple.)
OR
use tooth picks or very thin dowel to fill them.
VERY Lightly sand with very fine grit paper the area or whole back of the head, smoothing your filler down with it. Once everything is smooth, wet sand, if you didn't go all the way to the wood. If you did, wet the wood and let it air dry. if you feel little rough spots, sand it again. wet it again. do this process until you can wet it and no little whiskers pop up.
Then
There is a great clear gloss spray polyurathane. I believe MinWax makes it. should find it at a good hardware store.
Mask the head and neck and apply a few coats letting them dry between. The spray darkens the wood and should match the finish on the rest of the neck.
Let it dry for several days to fully cure.
I ran into the same problem and refinished the whole back of an older neck. I was worried it might soften or be sticky but it turned out slicker tan pig snot!
NOTE: Of course take care to avoid sanding off any serial numbers in the process!

_________________
TOO MANY GUITARS, TOO LITTLE TIME!

Current Stable:
Fender Stratocaster MIM 07
Squire II Stratocaster MIK 89?
ESP LTD MH-100QM
Jackson KE3 Kelly MIJ

thanks for the tip mate! will this withstand a long life doing this method? it seems pretty effective and i have had the same train of thought for a little bit now about doing something like that. have you done this before and worked good for yourself?

_________________
"Just because a guitarist's fingers move quick, it does not make them have all the talent and skill"

"Melodic is the key"
________________________
Richie Sambora Fender Strat
Parts-o-Caster
Floyd Rose DST3
Crate 120w stack amp

The life of the finish will be about the same the original finish. it will wear with time and use but it is a good tough finish.
I had a parts guitar that I refinished. I sanded down the whole neck except for the fretboard. used this method to fill in the extra screw holes and sanded it down to the wood. The end result was a beautiful piece of would that caught the light and showed wonderful grain.

_________________
TOO MANY GUITARS, TOO LITTLE TIME!

Current Stable:
Fender Stratocaster MIM 07
Squire II Stratocaster MIK 89?
ESP LTD MH-100QM
Jackson KE3 Kelly MIJ

thats awesome, if i mask up the serial number on the back of the neck when i sand around it and re finish it will that standout as i cant sand the serial number finish off? obviously im gonna have to get a finish that matches the old one arnt i? or will that spot not really stand out?

_________________
"Just because a guitarist's fingers move quick, it does not make them have all the talent and skill"

"Melodic is the key"
________________________
Richie Sambora Fender Strat
Parts-o-Caster
Floyd Rose DST3
Crate 120w stack amp

Depending on how clear your original finish is. I can't say that it will have that really yellow finish to it but it will be darker than the light modern finish.
As far as masking, use enough tape to just cover the serial. I doubt you want to print another decal to replace it but it can be done.

_________________
TOO MANY GUITARS, TOO LITTLE TIME!

Current Stable:
Fender Stratocaster MIM 07
Squire II Stratocaster MIK 89?
ESP LTD MH-100QM
Jackson KE3 Kelly MIJ

alrighty ill get on to it, cheers for that!

_________________
"Just because a guitarist's fingers move quick, it does not make them have all the talent and skill"

"Melodic is the key"
________________________
Richie Sambora Fender Strat
Parts-o-Caster
Floyd Rose DST3
Crate 120w stack amp