Author Topic: WD music Strat body (Read 4720 times)

indysmith · « **on:** March 16, 2007, 05:19:37 PM »

Okay, so i'm undertaking a project to make a strat. a '62 strat to be precise. I'm starting with a squier my friend gave me because...well, it's a squier, he never uses it.
I'm replacing the parts bit by bit, and the first thing i've ordered is a new body. I've attached the old squier neck, for the time being, but it doesnt seem to fit properly. The neck fits fine either side of the neck pocket, perfectly, but at the back there is about 1cm gap between the body and the neck. I'm not sure why - but these are things i've considered;
a) the body is made for a 22 fret neck as opposed to a 21 fret one.
b) squiers have difference neck specs to WD Music bodies (fender specs).
c) the squier neck has a 70s style headstock... maybe that changes things? it has a standard looking 4-bolt sttachment though. Maybe the drill holes are in an odd place on a squier?

I think i was right with 'a)', but any help would be useful. I suppose i'm going to have to put a 22 fret neck in the blighter. Historically inaccurate, so i guess i'm going to have to build more of a modern 60s strat now...

Thanks for any help.

Alternatively, could i just put a 21 fret neck in there anyway and would the gap get covered with a 60's style pickguard? or would this kill tone with the gap? I could perhaps make a shim to fill the gap...? Anyone know where i can find a vintage pickguard for 21 fret guitars?

PhilKing · « **Reply #1 on:** March 16, 2007, 05:41:43 PM »

What scale length have you ended up with? Also check from the 12th fret to the nut on your Squire neck. A Strat should have 25.5 in scale, perhaps the Squier has a 24.75 in scale? I would be really surprised if a WD body doesn't have a standard strat sized neck pocket.

This is not a case of the holes not lining up is it? I have found that different manufacturers drill the neck mounting holes in different positions.

Does the neck have a squared or curved end? Strat necks chould have a curved end, but Fender cut the neck pocket for the 3-bolt necks differently.

Philly Q · « **Reply #2 on:** March 16, 2007, 05:47:40 PM »

It shouldn't be anything to do with 22 vs 21 fret necks.

If it's a standard WD body the neck pocket should take a vintage-style 21 fret Fender neck. It should also take a 22 fret Fender neck because the 22nd fret sits on the extended "overhang" at the body end of the fretboard. There's no difference at all in the length of the necks.

The Squier specs should be pretty much identical to a US Fender, unless it's some weird model with a 24-3/4" scale or something (as Phil K suggested).

Is the gap really as much as 1cm? That sounds crazy. Could you take a couple of pics?

indysmith · « **Reply #3 on:** March 16, 2007, 10:21:09 PM »

it's more of a 5mm gap now i've got home and stopped exaggerating things.
Still, it's a bloody big gap. It's not like the nightmare "i can get a pick in the gap" its more like the uber nightmare "i can get my whole collection of picks in the gap". I'll take some pictures now. some $%&#er's moved my camera.
How do i measure scale length? Bear in mind i have no bridge drilled in to the body yet...
I've checked pics on the WD site and the Warmoth site and the holes seem to be drilled far more like in the WD body than the Squier one. I'm beginning to think that maybe the squier neck is just retarded. (when i say think i mean hope).
This is a disaster.

Say the body's horns are pointing up. The squier's neck pocket holes all seem to be drilled about 5mm north of the ones in my WD body and the pictures of other bodies i've looked at on the web today.

the neck pocket is curved, and the squier neck fits perfectly into it before i try to screw it in; the holes are misaligned.

The neck pocket on the WD body is 7.5mm deep, but only 7.2mm deep on the squier body

maverickf1jockey · « **Reply #4 on:** March 16, 2007, 10:35:45 PM »

Try out an Alvarez to feel the true meaning of a gap between the body and neck.

Philly Q · « **Reply #5 on:** March 16, 2007, 10:48:27 PM »

Quote from: indysmith

How do i measure scale length?

Measure from the nut to the 12th fret, then double it. It's probably slightly under 25.5".

I don't think it's a disaster, don't worry!

The Squier's neckplate is just in a different position than the WD's (it's retarded, if you like! :lol: ). If you try swapping necks on Fender (or Fender-type) guitars the screw holes hardly ever align exactly. You really need to drill the holes in the neck to match that particular body.

When you buy your new Warmoth/WD/Allparts/whatever neck to go with your WD body, it won't have holes pre-drilled in the neck heel. Fit the neck in the pocket, hold it in place with a clamp then loosely fit the two E strings to make sure the neck's properly aligned. Then get a drill bit that just fits the holes in the body, push it into each hole and twist it a couple of times (by hand), just enough to leave a mark on the neck heel. Then you'll see exactly where the neck holes need to be drilled.

Then (as long as you drill accurately, which isn't the easiest thing in the world) the neck'll fit perfectly. Promise!

indysmith · « **Reply #6 on:** March 16, 2007, 10:53:36 PM »

i've found fender neck pocket dimensions, and the squier's body is wrong by quite a few millimetres. the WD body is right thankfully. I'm just going to have to get a new neck sharpish. The holes in the squier neck are so shoddily drilled, they've drilled them wrong and re-drilled them 3 times...(HOW!?)

Thanks for your help guys.

Philly Q · « **Reply #7 on:** March 16, 2007, 10:58:03 PM »

Quote from: indysmith

The holes in the squier neck are so shoddily drilled, they've drilled them wrong and re-drilled them 3 times...(HOW!?)

It's not only Squier, unfortunately. Whoever fitted the neck on my Tele at the Fender factory totally bolloxed it up. So much so that I'm replacing the body.