Should I refinish or recondition worn guitar neck?

[Dasein]

My sweat is very corrosive and the neck of my original Fender has had the finish wear off in a strip almost the whole length of the neck (nut to neck joint) on the edge of the fingerboard to about halfway to the fret markers. The wood is always stained with dirt and oil from my hands and actually holds/retains a bit of an odour when stored in the case for any length of time. Keeping it in the open air helps a bit but I can only imagine how deep into the wood everything has soaked.

Well I'm getting close to needing to re-fret this thing (first time ever) after what 35 years?  Should I consider some sort of neck cleaning or reconditioning?

The neck has other wear spots too (about 3 spots like the photo) and I'd be curious what can be done or what I might consider doing as long as I'm having the work done. What are your thoughts and what would someone do? I don't want to touch the headstock or the logo/serial or anything like that -- just wonder if there is something I should do or consider doing that will resist future wear and the problem of the smell.

 

[tomteriffic]

As Jol once said: "Put your own stink on it". 

At most, I'd put a dab of Watco Danish Oil (or maybe several applications and rub-offs) on the offending spots, just to protect the wood.  And maybe keep some of the stank in.

[Dasein]

I'm good with that!!!!

[Steve Haynie]

What I find noticeable about old necks is that even if they are shiny and well preserved case queens they feel different from brand new guitars.  Something about the aging of the finish gives a different feel.  Even on new relics you can feel a difference in how the finish feels in your hand. 

Avoid a refinish.  You can clean the wood a little bit and use the oil finish on spots to protect the wood like Tom suggested. 

Right now all the wear is yours.  Think about Eddie Van Halen wearing a little bit of an indention on his neck that Music Man had to copy to make him happy. 

The smell could be from stuff that has gotten under your frets as well as the wood.  Whoever does the refret is going to be cleaning up the neck and the slots anyway.  If the smell does not go away you can get some patchouli oil and rub it on your guitar neck.  It will not only cover up other odors, it will help you meet women wearing clothing that matches the finish in your avatar. 

[Biz Prof]

A lot of consumers pay a hefty upcharge to have a factory employee simulate that kind of wear. Keep it exactly as is, but with fresh, new frets.

[hamerhead]

Looks awesome and it's all yours. Leave it.

And make it worse.

[Dasein]

I'm looking forward to the refret though I know nothing about frets - I assume not all created equal - any tips there or thoughts before I go see my guy? I know he'll take good care of me but I want to walk in knowing a little.

[DBraz]

I with the others. Leave it.  It looks cool!

Generally I will clean something up if it is already pretty clean and functional.  If it's not functional, or pretty messed up, a refin is open doors.

 

 

[Bobby Marshall]

If you didn't already have a guy I would have sent you to Murkat at NTL.  Jay has done refrets for me and the frets were perfect every time.  One time i had a guitar that was water damaged.  He restored it and refretted.  He wanted it perfect so he took to Glaser for a plek.  Glaser said it didn't need the plek.  High praise.

[SSII x 2]

Great patina on that neck!  I'd go the EBMM route as tomterrific suggests:

Birchwood Casey gunstock oil followed by gunstock wax.  Feels amazing

on my 'raw necked' guitars...

[HSB0531]

 chipped away the thick poly coating on my 73 precision way back in 1978.

I shaved it/contoured it then gave it a bath in Minwax Antique Oil Finish.

Best thing I ever did for that neck.