yeah i'm seriously contemplating sanding it down and getting to a REALLY dark color. I've been wanting to put some emg's in it, but money is the problem. oh i can i definitely tell schecter was using better wood, between the c1+ i owned, and a c7 hellraiser, c7, and every schecter i've played at stores NONE of them had necks or bodies as mine. i talked to schecter and they told me mines from 98? but that's about it.. i just wish it was set neck! but if it was it would probably not have the bare maple neck which is amazing in my opinion.