LTD ST203FR - Neck Change Advice

treyhaislip

treyhaislip

Well-known member
So I got a LTD ST203 FR in trade. I upgraded to a big brass block and also upgraded the pickups to Hot Rails and a JB.

The neck is maple with a maple board and the board is super flat...I believe like 16" radius. It also has an ugly yellowish block in the 12th fret (with the guitar model number) that really bugs me aesthetically.

So I'm looking at replacing the neck with a straight 9.5" or 12" radius and one piece maple (instead of a maple neck with a maple board.)

My question is, the specs have the nut listed as 42mm which I believe is like 1 5/8...would it possible to replace it with a neck with 1 11/16? Would I need to change the tremolo to do that or will it just require some tweeking? Thanks!
 
Re: LTD ST203FR - Neck Change Advice

That's the only thing that has stopped me from getting an LTD, that ugly 12th fret model number...
 
Re: LTD ST203FR - Neck Change Advice

autologic said:
That's the only thing that has stopped me from getting an LTD, that ugly 12th fret model number...
Click to expand...

I know...I don't understand it...looks horrible...I have to admit it's a kille guitar especially for the price! I just prefer a not so flat radius and a one piece maple neck...and the bridge pickup sounded thin but I don't knock the guitar for these things because of the price--great value IMO.
 
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Re: LTD ST203FR - Neck Change Advice

treyhaislip said:
So I got a LTD ST203 FR in trade. I upgraded to a big brass block and also upgraded the pickups to Hot Rails and a JB.

The neck is maple with a maple board and the board is super flat...I believe like 16" radius. It also has an ugly yellowish block in the 12th fret (with the guitar model number) that really bugs me aesthetically.

So I'm looking at replacing the neck with a straight 9.5" or 12" radius and one piece maple (instead of a maple neck with a maple board.)

My question is, the specs have the nut listed as 42mm which I believe is like 1 5/8...would it possible to replace it with a neck with 1 11/16? Would I need to change the tremolo to do that or will it just require some tweeking? Thanks!
Click to expand...

Most probably this guitar is setup fretboard , bridge and nut with the same radius. Changing the neck would require changing the bridge's radius as well (can be done with shims). If it plays good and has tone and sustain that you like, leave as it is. Chances are you will damage smth in the process. (e.g. the body's neck heel pocket)
The nut would be the least of your problems. 1.5mm does not make any difference btw.
 
Re: LTD ST203FR - Neck Change Advice

greekdude said:
Most probably this guitar is setup fretboard , bridge and nut with the same radius. Changing the neck would require changing the bridge's radius as well (can be done with shims). If it plays good and has tone and sustain that you like, leave as it is. Chances are you will damage smth in the process. (e.g. the body's neck heel pocket)
The nut would be the least of your problems. 1.5mm does not make any difference btw.
Click to expand...

Thanksor the advice! I will mull over that...I really really hate that 12th fret inlay...lol and I prefer a one piece maple neck...we shall see, I was trying to get a decent price neck I've found but I may just order the neck to spec from Warmoth. Thanks again!
 
Re: LTD ST203FR - Neck Change Advice

I would worry that the neck won't fit into the pocket properly. Not all necks/bodies are interchangeable. I think with a guitar of this price range and pedigree you kinda have to take it as is.

Play it...or sell it. It's either a great guitar, worthy of your love...or it isn't--sell it and get something else.

Bill
 
Re: LTD ST203FR - Neck Change Advice

I would leave the neck as is too if it plays well, which it sounds like it does. That neck was made for that guitar, it would be hard to match something else to it as well as the factory did. I'll admit I dont like the 12th fret marker either, but I generally find there's something I dont like about every guitar I have or have had in the past, lol.

That LTD seems like a pretty cool axe, I'd just enjoy as is. :)
 
Re: LTD ST203FR - Neck Change Advice

Sell it and put together a Floyd equipped Strat.
 
Re: LTD ST203FR - Neck Change Advice

Thanks for the advice guys...probably will put the original pickups back in it and save the Hotrails and JB for a new build.

kramersteen said:
Pull the inlay our and put something cool in.
Click to expand...

I had seriously thought about that but didn't know how to pull it out without ruining the neck...was thinking heatin it to see if it was glued in...is that right/wrong?

Thanks again guys!
 
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Re: LTD ST203FR - Neck Change Advice

I'd say leave this guitar alone and start a new build. You can sell the LTD easier as stock.
 
Re: LTD ST203FR - Neck Change Advice

greekdude said:
Good luck in anything you decide!
Click to expand...
Thank you kindly--the snob in me is starting to think I'd be better off with a one piece neck, a true Floyd Rose, a one or two piece alder body...so basically I'm thinking I just need to build it...and I like the look of the fender headstock better anyway. Lol
 
Re: LTD ST203FR - Neck Change Advice

greekdude said:
^^ Why dont you try Charvel So-Cal ? killer guitar, strat look.
Click to expand...

Well, I do love Charvels although what I am going for is the HSS with the Hot Rails and JB...I think the So-Cals are HH and they are pretty rare to actually play before purchasing.

My thought before an actualu all custom build project was to look at getting a Jackson Adrian Smith--HSS with a Fender Headstock...
 
Re: LTD ST203FR - Neck Change Advice

Was just thinking though, aren't the So-Cals compound radius necks? I like a straight neck...9.5" is my favorite.
 
Re: LTD ST203FR - Neck Change Advice

dominus said:
You can always sell the neck and put your own on.
Click to expand...

Good suggestion...IMO I feel like I'm overpaying on a MIM Fender to have the Charvel Name which is not on the body and I want HSS not HSH and am picky about the routing...there's a reason I lose so much money of my guitars ;) lol
 
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