The Way of Relic


Part-8:Maple Neck Aged Finish (2)

This is how I aged the MIM Standard Strat's maple neck. I found a better aging method while I was working on the Squier'51 neck.  Although, this new way requires more materials and takes more time,  it makes the neck look even more like real vintage.

If a headstock has cracks, it should at least appear with some 
linear cracks like this one (i'm not saying this is a good example), 
or else an experienced vintage guitar fan could easily see that it is a fake. 
(see the

page)

...however, this neck is a practice neck so it's specification is totally different from a real vintage neck.








Frets are still dirty from the aged process but let's not worry about them now. 
They will be clean later. 





Like some of you, I had the temptation of putting a cigarette burn onto the headstock. 
But that somewhat common mark would make a connoisseur think of it as an artificial 
modification. He would then surely suspect that the neck is not real. 

(Likewise, when making a '60s pickguard, you should think twice before making typical cracks.
Oh wait.., this is not a website to help counterfeiters.)

	But last time you said you can't transplant a maple neck  to the pink body. High risk of parts rejection, right?
	Ah.. that's right... Do I have to buy a rose neck for the Shell Pink body?
	Hey, wait a minute! Then what is the use for this maple neck?
	Nothing!!
	Don't tell me I have to buy an another body for this neck!!

It seems like the more you go on with this Way of Relic,  the poorer you will become.