Need Help with Stratocaster Project

B

bornagainplayer

New member
Hello all - I have a Fender Strat Squier Classic Vibe 50's that I really like, but i'd like to put a new neck on it. I prefer a 9.5 radius. I'm looking for a used Fender neck, either MIM or MIJ. I can't get approval from the household CFO for an American one. Are there some years that are better than others and cerain ones to absolutely avoid? I need to stay with the 4-bolt neck plate patter. Are those 4 holes standard specs, and do you know if an MIM or MIJ neck would fit those holdes? I want to avoid driling new holes if I can help it.

Thanks in advance.
 
Re: Need Help with Stratocaster Project

Well, does it have to be Fender branded, or would Fender licensed suffice?
 
Re: Need Help with Stratocaster Project

The early 90's MIM would be the better than a more current MIM neck because the Mexico shop got a lot of parts from the American and Japanese workshops in the early 90's. And I second esandes, warmoth would have any neck you'd need.
 
Re: Need Help with Stratocaster Project

Thanks for the info. I hate to say it, but I guess I'm a bit of a strat snob and really want a Fender neck. I'll keep an eye out for the early 90's MIMs that treyhaislip suggested. I'm open to any other suggestions on MIMs and MIJs.
 
Re: Need Help with Stratocaster Project

bornagainplayer said:
Thanks for the info. I hate to say it, but I guess I'm a bit of a strat snob and really want a Fender neck. I'll keep an eye out for the early 90's MIMs that treyhaislip suggested. I'm open to any other suggestions on MIMs and MIJs.
Click to expand...

An early MIM would probably be the best option for the price and quality. If you can find a MIJ for the same price, then I would take the MIJ but only if it was relatively the same price. IMO, the American necks are way overpriced--you can get the same if not better quality from Warmoth brand new cheaper than a used American neck.

Also, before you buy double check the neck pocket size/measurement. Shouldn't really be a problem BUT it would really stink to buy one and then find out the neck pocket is not the same size.

Where are you looking for a neck? Ebay or Craigslist?
 
Re: Need Help with Stratocaster Project

bornagainplayer said:
Thanks for the info. I hate to say it, but I guess I'm a bit of a strat snob and really want a Fender neck. I'll keep an eye out for the early 90's MIMs that treyhaislip suggested. I'm open to any other suggestions on MIMs and MIJs.
Click to expand...

hmm

so why did you get a Squier again?

no offense , just sayin............


Carvin will make you a custom neck with either 14", 12", or 10" radius
and Stainless Steel frets
for about $150
depending on custom upgrades
check out their neck builder
 
Re: Need Help with Stratocaster Project

ehdwuld said:
hmm

so why did you get a Squier again?

no offense , just sayin............


Carvin will make you a custom neck with either 14", 12", or 10" radius
and Stainless Steel frets
for about $150
depending on custom upgrades
check out their neck builder
Click to expand...

Good point–I personally wouldn't throw nice parts onto a Squire unless the body was decent wood and had a killer paint/stain job on it...but the electronics and most of the hardware would need need to be replaced. IMO
 
Re: Need Help with Stratocaster Project

I've got two Squier Standards that are stellar bodies - a candy apple red, and a 20th Anniversary shoreline gold. I did have to change out the necks, though - 1 5/8" is 1/16" too thin. ;)

To the OP: There's a MIM Fender neck in the Trading Post for $60, but it is by no means virgin. You could also take a look at the Mighty Mite necks, and get a waterslide to put on it.
 
Re: Need Help with Stratocaster Project

ehdwuld said:
hmm

so why did you get a Squier again?

no offense , just sayin............


Carvin will make you a custom neck with either 14", 12", or 10" radius
and Stainless Steel frets
for about $150
depending on custom upgrades
check out their neck builder
Click to expand...

It was a gift. Thanks for the Carvin info.
 
Re: Need Help with Stratocaster Project

bornagainplayer said:
Just Ebay so far. There are definitely LOTS of them out there.
Click to expand...

I get most of my parts from eBay. I haven't had any problems Craigslist but some people have. I would suggest that you also search eBay for a set of used American Standard pickups and some good pots as well–it will make the guitar sound SO much better!

Are you planning on setting the guitar up yourself? Could you post a pic of the guitar?
 
Re: Need Help with Stratocaster Project

treyhaislip said:
I get most of my parts from eBay. I haven't had any problems Craigslist but some people have. I would suggest that you also search eBay for a set of used American Standard pickups and some good pots as well–it will make the guitar sound SO much better!

Are you planning on setting the guitar up yourself? Could you post a pic of the guitar?
Click to expand...

That's great to know about the pickups and pots. What pots do you suggest? Not sure if I've got 250s or 500s in there now, actually. The American Standard pickups you mentioned, are those Alnico V? Would that be much of an improvement over my SSL1/SSL1/SSL2 (neck to bridge) set-up I currently have?

I'm planning on doing the work myself. I prefer to get the neck with tuners already installed and a neck plate and screws. I've seen some on Ebay like that. I've done pickup and switch work, but this is a new one for me. Since I'm new to the neck replacement thing, is there much to it other than installing the plate and screws? I have the 4-screw neck now and would get the same thing, MIM or MIJ.

I'll post the guitar picture later today, hopefully. Can't transfer pics from my phone for some reason.

Thanks.
 
Re: Need Help with Stratocaster Project

that Classic Vibe should have "at least" duncan designed pickups in it
the pots and tuners may need swapping
the bridge maybe
but the pickups should be on par with what ever you plan on replacing them with

my buddy got the staggered locking Fender branded tuners off Amazon I think
ran about $60-75 I don't remember

I got a set from guitarpartsonline.com for $30 or so
but I am not so Brand conscious

A heavy steel or brass block will make a noticeable difference also
 
Re: Need Help with Stratocaster Project

I like the 50s and 60s MIM reissue necks, but they might be vintage radius.
 
Re: Need Help with Stratocaster Project

bornagainplayer said:
That's great to know about the pickups and pots. What pots do you suggest? Not sure if I've got 250s or 500s in there now, actually. The American Standard pickups you mentioned, are those Alnico V? Would that be much of an improvement over my SSL1/SSL1/SSL2 (neck to bridge) set-up I currently have?

I'm planning on doing the work myself. I prefer to get the neck with tuners already installed and a neck plate and screws. I've seen some on Ebay like that. I've done pickup and switch work, but this is a new one for me. Since I'm new to the neck replacement thing, is there much to it other than installing the plate and screws? I have the 4-screw neck now and would get the same thing, MIM or MIJ.

I'll post the guitar picture later today, hopefully. Can't transfer pics from my phone for some reason.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Well, just depends on how much of an upgrade you wanna do for the price. I personally would recommend switching the pickups--I've never been a fan of Duncan Designed...if you absolutely love the way it sounds then don't switch them...I would change the pickups in them if you are going through the trouble of upgrading the neck. Good quality pots are an easy cheap upgrade--would definitely change those especially if you plan on having the volume cranked up a notch. And yeah, the American Standards should be an Alnico V...and again, IMO they would be a huge improvement in clarity, tone, and how they handle volume (especially through a tube amp.)

Seymour Duncan makes some great pots for around $10 or so...personally I would say 250k pots because I don't like my guitar to be too bright--but some would argue that 500k pots are better and that you can always tone done the brightness with the amp. Also depends on how you want to wire the pickups. Pretty popular thing right now (at least in my area) is to wire the 2nd or 4th position to the Neck and Trem pickup to get that Tele like sound.

Well, installing it shouldn't be too big of a problem--if you have to re-drill the holes make sure you double check the alignment and then check again before you drill. lol Setting the neck up would be the hardest part...not really hard but time consuming if you've never done it. I would recommend putting it together and then paying a Luthier around $40 do set it up (action and intonation.)

A solid steel block or a brass block would definitely be an upgrade in tone--you just wanna make sure it will fit your current tremolo/bridge. The price for those on eBay seem to be all over the place...but would definitely be a great improvement in tone. The neckplate doesn't matter as long as it is the right size...I always like having the gasket to protect the wood from the metal but it doesn't affect the tone.
 
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Re: Need Help with Stratocaster Project

GREAT information. Thank you all. Just bought a new 2012 MIM neck on Ebay. I was looking for older ones for some of the reasons member have indicated, but this one was priced very better than any I've seen and the seller has 100% feedback with about 3,000 transactions. Tuners and neck plate/screws didn't come with it, so I'll be looking for those. It's made for the 2-hole modern Fender tuners. If anyone has any suggestions on better ones that will fit the holes, I'd love to hear them. I really don't want to re-drill into a new neck. Maybe down the road. Thanks again.
 
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