Affordable neck for strat copy

[waltschwarzkopf]

Hi guys,

I have an old strat copy, a Marshall Rocket Special to be precise, it has a HSS configuration and a 21 fret rosewood fretboard. The humbucker sounds very good and it is also fun an easy to play. I’ve had it since 1999, so it has a few dents and marks that give it some attitude, but not the road worn look. I’ve played with it live and in several garage practices, so I’m not thinking about selling it.

However, I’m contemplating about changing the neck for two reasons:

1.- Since it’s quite old and has been played a lot, the frets are really worn out, showing some dents right bellow the strings.

2.- I like the look, feel and sound of a maple fingerboard better and most of the times I need the 22nd fret.

Therefore, I’m looking at 22 maple Fender(ish) necks on sale.
There are a LOT of options out there. From the original Stratocaster necks ($400-$600), throught the mighty mite or göldo necks ($100-$200) and the Chinese? Andoer or Kmise necks ($20-$50).

Since my guitar costed about $250 when I bought it, and that is with a Marshall G15RCD amp, cable, gig bag, tuner and the rest of the starter pack. Buying an original Fender neck is out of the question, especially because for that price I could buy a new HSS MIM Stratocaster. The Mighty Mite and Göldo seem also a bit pricey, and for that price I could buy a Squier Strat. More important, I don't want another guitar, I want to keep mine and upgrade/repair it.

So I’m leaning towards the Andoer neck, I found one on amazon (https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00LHPD4BO/) with good reviews. So I figured, my guitar is “Made in China”, most probable with Chinese quality components, so this neck should have similar standards and its only $40.

Do you have any experience in replacing the neck of a guitar? What would you advise me to get?

Cheers,
Walter
P.S. If you live in Zürich and want to get together and jam, send me a PM.

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Affordable neck for strat copy

I have a Kmise/cheap $30 ebay neck; the fretwork isn't perfect, but is better than Mighty Mite or Squier. No pointy fret ends, and very polished. I can't comment on durability yet. The shaping is quite nice. Very high radius. It seems stable, but then again I keep it at home (so far.) The worst thing about it is the giant heel, and careful what finish you select, I picked an "aged" one that's a bit orange for my taste. The finish seems quite thin for better or worse, mine came matte, I buffed it shiny. So... Needs setup work somewhat, but not as much as most budget guitars, I call it a great deal if you're attaching it to a cheap-ish body. I know of much worse necks.

Be prepared to drill.

 

[ICTGoober]

Re: Affordable neck for strat copy

If you don't want to spend the bucks for a quality Warmoth, try Allparts. They are good, and more inexpensive.

 

[Liko]

Re: Affordable neck for strat copy

One thing to be aware of is that, while you're replacing the neck for a good reason (widespread fretwear), there's something to be said for paying the money for a sound neck, even if that doubles your total investment in the axe. The neck is the single most important component of the guitar with regard to feel and playability; at any pricepoint, if the neck twists or the frets are unlevel, the axe will be hard to play and so you won't want to play it.

You say you see value in the guitar, but you don't want to go overboard on a neck costing more than the whole guitar (or a brand new one). That's logical, but do consider spending a little extra; the neck may look simple compared to other components of the guitar, but the precision and raw material quality required to make a good one is higher than just about any other part, so there's a deceptive amount of value inherent in a good one that will make ensuring you get a good replacement neck a good investment of time and money, even for an otherwise cheap guitar.

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[waltschwarzkopf]

Re: Affordable neck for strat copy

Thanks a lot guys. I don't like the feel of the varnish/paint on some necks, so I was going to get an unfinished one. I have access to power tools and a drill press, so the holes should not be a problem. I like the light color on the neck and the contrast with the black body and hardware, so I might only wax/oil it.

I also agree that the neck is the most important part of the guitar. But for 200$ I could get Squier and mod it or take the neck. But I don't want that anyway.

I don't know if buying a slightly more expensive neck from aliexpress with excellent reviews. I somehow trust amazon more...


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[ehdwuld]

Re: Affordable neck for strat copy

get the cheap amazon one

if it doesnt work out
count it as lesson learned
leave a bad review
buy a new cheap guitar

or a better one

I always go better if I can

 

[waltschwarzkopf]

Re: Affordable neck for strat copy

Sounds about right, a cheap neck for a cheap guitar to see if works. If not, I buy a new guitar with 22-fret maple neck and sell this one.

 

[NotCardio]

Re: Affordable neck for strat copy

I'm in kind of a similar situation. But I also think that the neck is the most important part because of the feel and playability. One problem I'd have with that amazon neck is that it doesn't say what the radius is, and you don't know the neck profile.

 

[NotCardio]

Re: Affordable neck for strat copy

I have a Kmise/cheap $30 ebay neck; the fretwork isn't perfect, but is better than Mighty Mite or Squier. No pointy fret ends, and very polished. I can't comment on durability yet. The shaping is quite nice. Very high radius. It seems stable, but then again I keep it at home (so far.) The worst thing about it is the giant heel, and careful what finish you select, I picked an "aged" one that's a bit orange for my taste. The finish seems quite thin for better or worse, mine came matte, I buffed it shiny. So... Needs setup work somewhat, but not as much as most budget guitars, I call it a great deal if you're attaching it to a cheap-ish body. I know of much worse necks.

Be prepared to drill.

Yeah, you can see the huge heel even from the front! That would be a deal breaker for me.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Affordable neck for strat copy

The cheap tele neck I got off Amazon
Has a 12 inch radius
Reasonably straight
N0 sharp nips

 

[vinnie1971]

Re: Affordable neck for strat copy

One thing to be aware of is that, while you're replacing the neck for a good reason (widespread fretwear), there's something to be said for paying the money for a sound neck, even if that doubles your total investment in the axe. The neck is the single most important component of the guitar with regard to feel and playability; at any pricepoint, if the neck twists or the frets are unlevel, the axe will be hard to play and so you won't want to play it.

You say you see value in the guitar, but you don't want to go overboard on a neck costing more than the whole guitar (or a brand new one). That's logical, but do consider spending a little extra; the neck may look simple compared to other components of the guitar, but the precision and raw material quality required to make a good one is higher than just about any other part, so there's a deceptive amount of value inherent in a good one that will make ensuring you get a good replacement neck a good investment of time and money, even for an otherwise cheap guitar.

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I bought a cheap neck, bad move. Rubbish profile, too skinny. Buy a cheap used guitar with a good neck instead


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[GourmetSaint]

Re: Affordable neck for strat copy

I use necks from Guitar Fetish. The XGP necks are top notch but even their cheaper ones are ok.

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[dotsdad]

Re: Affordable neck for strat copy

I bought a compound radius mighty mite from stewart macdonald. It is very comfortable and plays very fast. Also i like the matte finish...it is smooth as a babys butt. Very nice neck for very little cash!

http://www.stewmac.com/Materials_an..._Necks/Replacement_Neck_for_Strat_Guitar.html

 

[daan]

Re: Affordable neck for strat copy

There's a couple used-only stores near me, they always have a whole pile of $99 Squiers and other "copy" guitars. I have gotten a couple of them, just for the neck (and then parted the rest of the guitar out). I figure, if the neck was gonna warp, it would have already by the time I get it. And, the necks generally have tuners already, so that's another expense yo don't have. Oh, and since Strat -types go together like LEGO, you can try out different sizes/profiles until you find one you like and you can always switch them around if you change your mind later. Of course I just noticed the OP is from Switzerland, so this may not be an option for him (oops)



Man auto correct makes me sound drunk, I really need to proof read my posts before hitting send

 

[NotCardio]

Re: Affordable neck for strat copy

There's a couple used-only stores near me, they always have a whole pile of $99 Squiers and other "copy" guitars. I have gotten a copy of them, just for the neck (and then parted the rest out). I figure, tilt the neck was gonna warp, it would have already, they generally have tuners already, and Start-types go together like LEGO, so you can always switch them around if you change your mind later. Of course I just noticed the OP is from Switzerland, so this may not be an option for him (oops)

Don't you have to fill and re-drill the holes?

 

[daan]

Re: Affordable neck for strat copy

I've only had to fill&drill one, which was a new GFS neck. Granted that was before they came out with the XGP stuff. I did have to shim a neck pocket so a neck wasn't loose, but that was on a super cheap plywood mystery Strat, never any Squier branded stuff. And actually that one came to me with what looked like a bolt-on Les Paul copy neck on it, now that I think of it...

 

[waltschwarzkopf]

Re: Affordable neck for strat copy

Hi guys,
I ordered one from Amazon, the only one with excellent reviews. I'll check it, see if it needs retouching and then install it. I'll keep you posted on the progress with pictures. If it turns out to be a piece of crap, I'll leave a bad review and see if it's worth buying a 200€ neck (cheapest I can find here...) or buying a squier to mod.
Thanks again! And stay tuned!
P.S. Then we'll move on to the next mod [emoji1303][emoji6][emoji2]


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[waltschwarzkopf]

Re: Affordable neck for strat copy

Ok. The neck arrived and it's going back the way it came... I'll keep the current neck and play the guitar until it's time for her to retire. Then, I'll buy a new strat wirh better specs. My advise, estay away from cheap chinese necks!


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[ehdwuld]

Re: Affordable neck for strat copy

so what was wrong with it

 

[waltschwarzkopf]

Re: Affordable neck for strat copy

so what was wrong with it

It had some scratches and dents on the fretboard, one of the tuner holes had some broken edges, it had a huge dent on the back of the headstock which was badly covered, the truss rod was not aligned with he truss rod access and it was covered by wood splinters, and the nut was very thin and looked bad, which made think if it was not possible to install a comercial TUSQ nut there (for half the price of the neck).

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