fender 3 bolt neck?
- Thread starter Ez74
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marty_the_westie
New member
Re: fender 3 bolt neck?
I've had a few Fender 3 bolt neck guitars. The only issue I had with them is when I went to sell them, I pieced them out, and they do not seem to sell as well as regular 4 bolt necks. But other than that, they are IMO just as sturdy and resonant as the 4 bolt necks. You should remember, however, that most of those are going to have that 7.5 radius and vintage frets, which if your not used to them, can take some getting used to. In fact, that is why I sold all of my Fender 70's re-issues.
I've had a few Fender 3 bolt neck guitars. The only issue I had with them is when I went to sell them, I pieced them out, and they do not seem to sell as well as regular 4 bolt necks. But other than that, they are IMO just as sturdy and resonant as the 4 bolt necks. You should remember, however, that most of those are going to have that 7.5 radius and vintage frets, which if your not used to them, can take some getting used to. In fact, that is why I sold all of my Fender 70's re-issues.
Norman_T
New member
Re: fender 3 bolt neck?
I have a '79 strat 3 bolt micro tilt neck (see the link in my sig). I have gigged with this for many years and have never suffered any problems. A lot of people do not like them but they are very easy to secure and also adjust the truss rods. You can also modify them to a 4 bolt but of course you will need to do this very carefully yourself or find a good luthier - IMO it just is not worth the time or money doing this.
If you are planning on getting one make sure that the neck is firmly secured to the body and of course that the guitar is alright for you.
I have a '79 strat 3 bolt micro tilt neck (see the link in my sig). I have gigged with this for many years and have never suffered any problems. A lot of people do not like them but they are very easy to secure and also adjust the truss rods. You can also modify them to a 4 bolt but of course you will need to do this very carefully yourself or find a good luthier - IMO it just is not worth the time or money doing this.
If you are planning on getting one make sure that the neck is firmly secured to the body and of course that the guitar is alright for you.
Tom M
New member
Re: fender 3 bolt neck?
I have a '97 G&L SB2 bass with a 3 bolt neck and micro-tilt. A bass neck is much longer and has waaay more tension on it than a guitar neck. There have been zero problems with the neck or the joint. I think it just comes down to how well the guitar is built and fitted together.
I have a '97 G&L SB2 bass with a 3 bolt neck and micro-tilt. A bass neck is much longer and has waaay more tension on it than a guitar neck. There have been zero problems with the neck or the joint. I think it just comes down to how well the guitar is built and fitted together.
Hot _Grits
Buttery Toneologist
Re: fender 3 bolt neck?
The three bolt neck joint isn't a flawed design. The problems that led to it's unpopularity were due to fender's poor workmanship in the 70s: overly large neck pockets and screw holes that were drilled too large. Consider:
I have a MIM 72 tele custom ri, and the 3 bolt neck joint is superb. The pocket is super tight, and the neck does not move.
I also have a '76 strat. the neck pocket was so wide that a previous owner had a repair guy build up one side of the pocket with a 1.5mm strip of wood. When the last owner before me got it, the neck still moved around, and solved the problem by shoving a green dunlop pick on the other side of the pocket. Now it's stable.
You show excellent taste in teles. the MIM reissues are great guitars for the money. Enjoy.
The three bolt neck joint isn't a flawed design. The problems that led to it's unpopularity were due to fender's poor workmanship in the 70s: overly large neck pockets and screw holes that were drilled too large. Consider:
I have a MIM 72 tele custom ri, and the 3 bolt neck joint is superb. The pocket is super tight, and the neck does not move.
I also have a '76 strat. the neck pocket was so wide that a previous owner had a repair guy build up one side of the pocket with a 1.5mm strip of wood. When the last owner before me got it, the neck still moved around, and solved the problem by shoving a green dunlop pick on the other side of the pocket. Now it's stable.
You show excellent taste in teles. the MIM reissues are great guitars for the money. Enjoy.
TwilightOdyssey
Darkness on the edge of Tone
Re: fender 3 bolt neck?
My Strat is a '79, 3-bolter. It rocks!!
My Strat is a '79, 3-bolter. It rocks!!
Last edited:
Re: fender 3 bolt neck?
I have 2 strats with that neck joint...one is not so good, the other is excellent. These dudes have it right, you just need to secure the neck if the pocket it misshapen.
Speaking of which, do you all think that a Warmoth body made to fit the 3 bolt hardware would actually accept a REAL 70's strat neck? I don't think that the neck hardware between the old ones and new ones is completely interchangeable...I know the newer 'F' style tuning machines won't fit my old necks without mods (Dam*it!!!)
Farkus
I have 2 strats with that neck joint...one is not so good, the other is excellent. These dudes have it right, you just need to secure the neck if the pocket it misshapen.
Speaking of which, do you all think that a Warmoth body made to fit the 3 bolt hardware would actually accept a REAL 70's strat neck? I don't think that the neck hardware between the old ones and new ones is completely interchangeable...I know the newer 'F' style tuning machines won't fit my old necks without mods (Dam*it!!!)
Farkus
TwilightOdyssey
Darkness on the edge of Tone
Re: fender 3 bolt neck?
I will clean the fingerboard some day ...
Not scalloped, Farkus; just has a ton of wear on it, as well as gunk ... for which I take a lot of abuse for on this forum!Farkus said:
I will clean the fingerboard some day ...
AcidBurn
New member
Re: fender 3 bolt neck?
Thats how an old strat should look like. Don't let anyone give you any guff :alcoholic
TwilightOdyssey said:Not scalloped, Farkus; just has a ton of wear on it, as well as gunk ... for which I take a lot of abuse for on this forum!
I will clean the fingerboard some day ...
Thats how an old strat should look like. Don't let anyone give you any guff :alcoholic
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