souschefdude: no exaggeration! I did at least 5 hours of polishing with MAAS before I started sanding - could have been less than 10, but definitely more than 5. Taking this restoration nice and slow. The damage to the scales is hard to show in the pictures, but the scales look melted which I have shown in one of the photos, plus there were a couple of small chips and cracks not pictured. I'll try to get some better ones up there soon. But yes, I do have a particular lust for the Amboyna Burl...

Dimitry: I definitely would have reused the scales if possible (I share your affinity for the all-original aspect), but the damage seemed like it would be impossible to repair. I'll try to get better photos of the damaged scales up tonight.

Chevhead and ischiapp: Thanks to you both! Definitely a work in progress but it's turning out nicely so far!

I decided to take souschefdude's advice and go down to 400 grit, but I wasn't seeing the results I wanted with just two passes... so far Ive done about 7 passes (four lengthwise, three horizontally) and I almost have -all- of the pits out. I don't know offhand if I have pictures of the pits near the barber's notch up, but on the side opposite of the makers mark they are almost fully sanded out. Perhaps a couple of more passes and they will be removed. Thanks for all of the advice guys, I really appreciate it!