Worn maple neck.

[c_wester]

I have a question about an old strat I just bought It sounds killer and sustains like a Les Paul.
And it's been played to the end of the earth and back.

I am gonna have the frets dressed.
But should I refinish the worn through maple that everyone seems to like the look of, or can the maple withstand weather and wind?

Please only answer If you know what you are talking about.

 

[deytookerjaabs]

Not much to know here, tons of guys with 50's strats out there who gigged'em internationally for decades without issue. Unless there's some major problem you refret it and leave the board alone in the process because like you said that board is part of the mojo.

What we really need is some pics!

 

[c_wester]

https://imgur.com/XOjRKp8

 

[seafood]

i'm an old guy and i've owned hundreds of vintage guitars.....half gibson and half fender!!!!!just do the frets and leave the maple board alone!!!!! i've played many that screwed with the fretboard and it's not a good idea!!!!!!!! refret it....play it .....and enjoy it!!!!! cheers!!!!

 

[renderit]

I don't like bare wood.

My CS Fender came with it.

Asking for trouble IMO.

If it is old as in collectors item I'd leave it, but in just worn old and I wanted to keep it for a long time I's probably tung oil (or gunstock oil) it.

Maple is pretty tough stuff, but still...

 

[brandtkronholm]

i'm an old guy and i've owned hundreds of vintage guitars.....half gibson and half fender!!!!!just do the frets and leave the maple board alone!!!!! i've played many that screwed with the fretboard and it's not a good idea!!!!!!!! refret it....play it .....and enjoy it!!!!! cheers!!!!

+1
Dress the frets - or even re-fret it.
The natural oils in your hands (and the previous owner's hands) will help preserve the exposed maple.
Old violins/violas/cellos often have exposed maple on the necks and they're just fine.

Also, cool Strat! What are the details?

 

[seafood]

that is a beautiful looking strat!!!! the thing...everyone is looking for!!!!! have fun and stay safe in the crazy world....today!!!!!

 

[sglp63]

Cool. Looks like a '58 or '59.

 

[Hamerfan]

I am not a luthier, but i am servicing guitars for friends, bandmates, co-workers and local bands.
I cleaned these chewed maple boards with naphta and a toothbrush, sealed it with shellac and told those folks to cut their nails before playing.

 

[Wilko]

That looks like fake aging on that neck. I'd shellac it with Bullseye after cleaning as mentioned above.

I also have no problem with a refin fretboard. I've done a couple and even done some wiyth overspray to get the factory 70s vibe as they were finished with poly over the frets.

 

[Wilko]

Yeah, I just looked it up. Totally fake peeling on that neck. I'd refinish it myself. How handy are you?

Your pic looks like an alloy gold guard but I see it's a yellowed 1-ply 50s style guard. Real fenders don't yellow and were never on three color bodies. If it were my guitar I"d put a white 1-ply guard and refin that neck and do a light relic job that doesn't look so fake.

...or just play it.


I met you at a forum gathering in LA years ago. Hope you are well. Cheers!