skunk stripe question

[ntkguitar]

Does anyone know what may cause a ridge or seperation along skunk stripe on the back of t-51,daytona neck ?

[cmatthes]

Sinking of the finish into the grain/contraction of the walnut.

[ntkguitar]

Is this expensive to fix? Or should I even worry about it ?

Thanks for any advice

[crunchee]

It could be caused by changes in humidity...or the lack of it during the colder months of the year. You don't want to keep the guitar stored too close to any sources of dry heat during the fall/winter. As far as fixing it, it's hard to say without seeing it IMO, photos would help members of the HFC, but you'd probably need to take it in to a luthier/repair person for an estimate.

[ntkguitar]

Thanks. I bought on ebay about 6 months ago and it was already there. The neck has sort of a satin finish not glossy like my T51 could that affect it ? It is only around 10 to 12th fret

[Steve Haynie]

Is it bothering you when you play or do you just want everything to be perfect?

If it is just a finish shrinkage, then let it go.

[cmatthes]

I've got that issue on one of my Daytonas, and the only time I notice it is when wiping down the neck - never while playing.

[Bobby Marshall]

As a great man once told me, "just play it".

[lincsman]

Most Strats have the same problem, I hate the skunk strip for that reason

[ntkguitar]

It doesnt bother me, just curious what might cause it.

[Steve Haynie]

Play the heck out of it!

[mc2]

I've run across that on a few old skunk stripe necks.

Has to be a finish/wood expansion-contraction thing, since none of them had any actual seam separation, like the truss rod was trying to pop out.

Seems to be a common occur ace, like finish checking. No biggie.

[tbonesullivan]

You can also get the finish to lift. The woods used are different and shrink and expand at different rates related to temperature and moisture. It's very common to have finish breaks at those kind of areas.