From what I can see in the photo it looks like the black line is crossing over the grain which makes me think it may be only a lacquer crack and not a crack in the wood.

If you will notice the black line is not a sharp clean crack line but is a wide smudge looking line. It aklmost looks like a mark from something or a crack in the finish and the moisture and grit got rubbed into the finish crack and smudges under the finish.

It is hard to say for sure, but even if it is a crack in the wood it can be repaired. If I really wanted the neck I would get it and play it and just keep an eye on it. If it is cracked in the wood itself it will eventually open up enough you can tell for sure.

Of course you can strip or sand the finsih off down to the bare wood and it may dissapear and a new finish can be tinted to give the original appearance of the vintage finish. If it is a wood crack then it needs to be opened enough to get glue pressed deep into the crack and then clamped properly and that will make it good as new and no visible damage at all.

If it is a good price and you want it then it can be fixed but it looks to me like it is likely to be the finish. Only when stripped down to the bare wood can you know for sure. Hopefully this will help you.
Rick Andrews
Andrews Guitar

EvO:R is proud to say that we know Rick Andrews personally and we are very excited about his willingness to answer all your guitar related questions.

Visit Rick at Andrews Guitars.com!