2003 Artist Custom 24

[Mind Flayer]

I bought a used 2003 core Artist Custom 24 at GC. According to the MODCAT decoder, it's an Artist top with a Ruby Red finish, although there is some clouding on it. It was a nice price (around $1,800), presumably because of the clouded finish, some dings and dents on the body (which don't bother me), and the fact that the original rotary selector knob has been replaced by a different style knob (which I actually prefer, as it is a bit small, knurled, and much easier to grip).

One interesting feature: the back of the wood is bare mahogany. Not bare in the sense of completely unfinished, but there's no paint on the back of the neck. It feels kind of like the back of the S2 Standard necks. Feels great!

I am wondering if the guitar came from the factory with the back of the neck like this. There is red paint on the flat part of the back of the headstock and the sides of the headstock. Also, there is no paint on the front of the headstock, which I understand to have been a feature of some of the Artist packages. Just curious as to whether the previous owner had the paint sanded off the back and did some sort of refinish, because I haven't ever come across Custom 24s from this era with this type of neck finish. But, I figured maybe it came like this from the factory because (1) it's an Artist model, and (2) it's nicely done.

 

[guitar_man_man_man]

I haven’t personally seen any examples where the back of the neck is bare wood and the back of the headstock is painted. It’s usually all bare or all painted on the back of the guitar. So you may be right. If you like the guitar, though, I wouldn’t let the idea of it being refinished dissuade you. It’s a purely cosmetic thing.

 

[Greywolf]

that would be a user mod // the only bare necks are the Rosewoods, and Ziricote

 

[dogrocketp]

Just put some coats of Meguiar’s cleaner/ car wax on the back of the neck to protect the wood. I’m doing that to a reclaimed CE 24 as I write this. I get up to about 4, and then rewax it when I change strings. After a while you don’t have to do it any more.