I wasn't expecting that much on relicing the basswood because it's a soft wood, and I was pretty mad at first with the result (believe me!), but those small bits of wood coming off started to please me when I was in the middle of the relic finish. It was nice once the relic done, but it was only when I began to age the showing wood that I really felt that it was good work. I'm down to basics when it comes to it; white vinegar, dirty water, a small amount of water based wood dye, and 2 beewax coats over it once dry. The water based dye allows the white primer to stay more or less white, which looks great as a contrast.
Speaking about the neck, the back has checked nicely, specially on the back of the headstock. For the specs lovers, here we go: 21 fret, vintage type truss rod at heel, regular C profile. Thickness: 22mm on the first fret, 23,6mm on the 12th; 42,1mm for the nut width and 55,5mm for the heel width BEFORE the nitro finish; now it has 55,7mm. The fretboard radius is way less vintage than the rest, I'd say about 16"; not flat, but a lot more opened than 9,5". And finally, the machine head holes's diameter is 7,3mm, you'll have to open them a bit with a round file, that's what I do to install vintage Kluson type tuners.
This is a great set for a Bigsby Tele project since there is no routing for the bridge; Thomann sells Harley Benton Bigsby sets which seem to be good according to the reviews, and there is a Göldo horseshoe vibrato which would look great in my opinion, not expensive, but some simple routing would be needed.