not a whole lot of difference except aestetics and feel... some people like satin finished necks becasue they feel like their hands don't stick to the neck like sometimes is does on a gloss finished neck... other than that, there's no real advantage/disadvantage to having a satin or gloss finish.... i personally don't mind the satin finish.... when it gets worn in it looks pretty cool... where as a gloss finish is going to show minor scratches a lot more than satin finish would.