Author Topic: Good strat replacement neck + tuners? (Read 9893 times)

_tom_ · « **on:** April 22, 2007, 04:20:56 PM »

I'm building up a partscaster (got a really nice sierra burst body coming soon), and just need a new neck really. The only "specs" I have for it are:

-maple fingerboard (I just prefer the look of it to rosewood or ebony). doesnt matter if its vintage tinted or regular maple, vintage tint looks better though
-22 frets
-must feel kinda the same in the hand as a Fender Modern C (as found on the MIM strats), maybe a bit chunkier is ok but I hate really thick/wide necks.
-"small" fender style headstock (cant stand the huge ones!)

So, where could I get one in that style? Axesrus do Mighty Mite ones with these specs and they look good

I'd go Warmoth but I cant be bothered with customs - just been charged £25 for my Crunch box which only cost £50 or so in the first place!

Will a maple neck sound too bright with an ash body, or will I most likely not notice? I dont like a really bright tone but at the same time I hate darker sounds - needs to be balanced!

Oh, and this is the body its going on, I'll get a parchment white pickguard and either black or parchment covers for it:

edit - whilst I'm at it, what tuners do you recommend? Preferably locking to make stringing quicker and easier.

Thanks

Woogie · « **Reply #1 on:** April 22, 2007, 04:25:47 PM »

Those necks look fine.

What about getting Feline or Legra to make you one?

Edit: Didn't read your thing properly, sorry!

Edit 2: Sperzels

_tom_ · « **Reply #2 on:** April 22, 2007, 05:43:14 PM »

I think feline or legra will be way too expensive, and a lengthy process I'm guessing as they're both busy!

I just found this on ebay - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Superb-Strat-Stratocaster-Neck-Maple_W0QQitemZ170103262866QQihZ007QQcategoryZ42455QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Just got this email back from the seller when asking about the neck profile

"I think it is refered to as C shape. I have several old Fenders. The profile is virtually identical to my 62 Strat and notably slimmer than the 59. Hope that helps."

So, anyone know if I'd like this? I love my mates MIM strat neck, which is a Fender modern C, never played a 62 strat though..

Philly Q · « **Reply #3 on:** April 22, 2007, 05:52:20 PM »

Quote from: _tom_

whilst I'm at it, what tuners do you recommend? Preferably locking to make stringing quicker and easier.

Do you want vintage-style or modern die-cast ones?

Either way, I've just discovered Gotoh Magnum Lock tuners, which have the locking mechanism in the tuner post itself, so you don't have the additional weight of those bloody great thumbwheels on the back of the tuners. Grover do something similar but I haven't tried them yet.

http://www.allparts.uk.com/catalogue/product_info.php?cPath=91022_91136_91145&products_id=10687

http://www.allparts.uk.com/catalogue/product_info.php?cPath=91022_91136_91145&products_id=10688

http://www.wdmusic.co.uk/shop/products.php?category=216&product=4962

Of the thumbwheel types, I have Schallers, Sperzels and Planet Waves and to be honest you won't go wrong with any of them. Schallers are beautifully made but a bit heavy; PWs have built-in string clippers which is a nice touch, but they're also heavy and the posts are black, which looks a bit weird (on some guitars); Sperzels only have a 12:1 ratio (if that bothers you) but I'd probably choose them for their light weight.

They're all pretty expensive at UK prices, but there are some great deals on eBay, and some US dealers naughtily don't put the full value on Customs declarations....

Philly Q · « **Reply #4 on:** April 22, 2007, 06:13:03 PM »

Quote from: _tom_

So, anyone know if I'd like this? I love my mates MIM strat neck, which is a Fender modern C, never played a 62 strat though..

I'm probably being snobbish :roll: , but there are a few fishy things about that eBay ad. He says "the nut is in place as is the truss rod which is correctly set", but there are no holes in the neck heel, it's never been fitted to a guitar - so the nut and truss rod can't possibly be correctly set. And those tuners are the cheapest, nastiest ones on the market.

None of those things mean the neck is no good, but I doubt it's the same class as your sienna sunburst body. I think you'd be better off with Mighty Mite.

(Edit: Incidentally, what make is that body?)

dave_mc · « **Reply #5 on:** April 22, 2007, 06:20:53 PM »

easiest way to decide whether you prefer the tone of a maple fretboard is to try a bunch of strats with all the different options (ash, alder, maple, rosewood, etc.).

captain obvious to the rescue, i know, but it's the only sure way to do it (it might not be exactly 100% as the wood in your exact one might be slightly different to the ones you try, but it's still the closest way).

PhilKing · « **Reply #6 on:** April 22, 2007, 06:22:19 PM »

If you want a real Fender Mexico maple neck, I have a 57 vintage one for sale, or I have one of the newer rosewood, both with the correct machine heads (Schaller style for the rosewood, Kluson for the maple). However the maple is a vintage so it has the amber tint and also is a soft V. The rosewood is the C shape. If you wanted either one, I can bring it over with me next week and if you are coming to LGS can let you have it there, or we can work somethign out and I'll post it from London.

The cost for either is the same, £75.

_tom_ · « **Reply #7 on:** April 22, 2007, 06:55:32 PM »

Phil, just sent you a pm :)

Philly, good point, does seem a bit off that he says its perfectly set. I dont actually know what the brand of the body is, the guy I'm buying it off says

"I was told that this was made by Roger Giffin in the 80s. Although I have no way of proving this the body is of a very good quality. The neck pocket accomodates Fender and Warmoth necks. The body has been drilled for Fender vintage parts."

It also looks like its 1pc, I dont know if thats a sign of quality or what, but I always assumed that 1pc were "better"

Philly Q · « **Reply #8 on:** April 22, 2007, 07:08:58 PM »

If that's a Giffin body it would be a shame to match it with a cheap neck!

http://www.giffinguitars.com/

_tom_ · « **Reply #9 on:** April 22, 2007, 07:42:29 PM »

Hmm indeed it would.. then again I'm not a snob. so might just go for one of Phils necks though, great price and even includes a decent set of tuners :P

Philly Q · « **Reply #10 on:** April 22, 2007, 07:52:50 PM »

Quote from: _tom_

Hmm indeed it would.. then again I'm not a snob.

But I am! :P

No seriously, I only meant the eBay neck when I said "cheap". The Mex Fender ones are good.

_tom_ · « **Reply #11 on:** April 22, 2007, 08:11:11 PM »

Yeah, I probably wont go for the ebay one afterall. Chances are, I'll get Phils tinted maple MIM neck :D May just go for it, I'm sure I could get used to a soft V if its not too thick (like my mates LP studio, that has the hugest neck ever).

On the subject of neck profiles - what do Epiphone LPs have? Mines pretty slim.

Simon D · « **Reply #12 on:** April 22, 2007, 10:20:42 PM »

The neck on my Epi LP Standard is certainly slimmer than the neck on my Fender Lite Ash Tele, which is a modern C shape.

I'm guessing the neck profile on your Epi (which if it remember right is a Custom?) would be the same as mine.

As far as tuners go, I'd recomend Sperzels wholeheartedly. I've had a set on my Pacifica 812 from new (almost 8 years now) and they've been great. Also, whatever you go for, give Stewart MacDonald a try, the exchange rate at the moment makes stuff very reasonable.

Have a look here: http://www.stewmac.com/cgi-bin/hazel.cgi?action=SERVE&G=1&sku=3421&ITEM=catalog/sku.html&CURRENCY=GBP for the Sperzels.

PhilKing · « **Reply #13 on:** April 23, 2007, 01:07:49 PM »

Here are the pic's

_tom_ · « **Reply #14 on:** April 23, 2007, 01:46:08 PM »

Thanks for the pics phil, I think I'll definitely take that one if you can post it - said in my pm but it should only be about £5-7 to post via royal mail standard parcels as my whole Charvel should be around £10-12.

Oh yeah, the body arrived today so I just did this quick mockup with that neck - looks great!

Just need a new bridge and pickups and it'll be complete :D