Thank you all for your input.

I have been in contact with Adam who tells me they can supply a maple fretboard neck for the EX which is my fretboard of choice anyway!!

I think I will order a new one but may as well try and fix this one up as well... will try out your ideas Simon!

In this meantime, have made some progress on the body (see my other thread) and now have time to get that just right before the new neck arrives...