Better strat heel joint . . .

[RorySquier]

Re: Better strat heel joint . . .

I sure love the heel-joint on my Godin Belmont guitar which I find has a pleasantly comfortable access to the high frets.

;>)/

 

[Demanic]

Re: Better strat heel joint . . .

Ibanez RG's

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[GuitarStv]

Re: Better strat heel joint . . .

I know there are better heel joints guys. My exit 22 has one (although mine's a righty, not a lefty like this image):

Was more wondering if anyone has ever shaved down the existing heel of a strat with any success.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Better strat heel joint . . .

I know there are better heel joints guys. My exit 22 has one (although mine's a righty, not a lefty like this image):

Was more wondering if anyone has ever shaved down the existing heel of a strat with any success.

I’m not aware of anyone shaving a strat but I would imagine with the right tools and planning it could be done.
The heel in this pic looks very comfy.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Better strat heel joint . . .

All of the designs which have been shown as better neck joints are possible........That's the point here.
And sure as hell, all have of them will have been successfully done by somebody at some point in time.

It's just up to you as to which one you try

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Better strat heel joint . . .

Subtle/effective:

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: Better strat heel joint . . .

There’s no reason to use that square body heel under the neck.

I do bolt ons like this

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[Gtrjunior]

Re: Better strat heel joint . . .

There’s no reason to use that square body heel under the neck.

I do bolt ons like this

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I like that a lot!

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: Better strat heel joint . . .

I like that a lot!

Thanks!

Here’s a front view.

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[Mincer]

Re: Better strat heel joint . . .

That bolt on looks a lot better. Fender's traditional style is outdated and just plain lazy at this point.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Better strat heel joint . . .

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Better strat heel joint . . .

Not quite what you are wanting, but I did this

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?158813-Pictures-without-words

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Better strat heel joint . . .

That bolt on looks a lot better. Fender's traditional style is outdated and just plain lazy at this point.

The use of a plate spreads the load more evenly, and thus a tighter connection. How much of that translate into "better" sound is debatable. I have several "molded" neck joint guitars, but I still prefer a plate.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Better strat heel joint . . .

Well, I was talking more about design than sound. I think a good unobtrusive design can also sound just as good or better.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Better strat heel joint . . .

Fenders design and use is all dependent on their much more complete knowledge of the market they are in.
They have had more a few goes at more accessible neck access over the years. But sales continually show that those guitars do poorly for them.
They missed the boat when it comes to the superstrat.......But I don't really think it worries them overly.
Coming from using Les Paul's as my main guitar, the vintage type strat is a highly accessible upper fret guitar.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Better strat heel joint . . .

I guess I'm weird. I like the square neck heel like on Strats. It doesn't bother me. Been playing guitars with it that way since shortly after I first started playing. I've had a few with smoother upper fret access and my SG Jr and Dean ML certainly do. With my big hands and long fingers, it's a non-issue.

 

[Dave Locher]

Re: Better strat heel joint . . .

Yes, you can. I bought one of the plates like RorySquier shows above. I then thinned dow the whole neckplate area like the one Kramersteen shows above, and then I carefully rounded the body to match the rounded contour of the plate. This was on a Tele body.
I can probably manage a photo if you like but the point is yes, you can do this to an existing body. If (like me) you care more about function than what the back of a guitar looks like you can do it pretty quickly and easily.
You definitely need shorter screws if you thin the body mount area at all.

 

[devastone]

Re: Better strat heel joint . . .

The Stephens is about as out of the way as a neck joint can get, but it isn't for everyone.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Better strat heel joint . . .

The Stephens is about as out of the way as a neck joint can get, but it isn't for everyone.

Is that the Nuno guitar?

 

[Mincer]

Re: Better strat heel joint . . .

I know other models used that neck joint besides Nuno's...and it does work well, but it does not look great from the front.