Replacement neck question (fender)

[DankStar]

Toying with the idear of replacing the neck on my frankenstrat fender style strat with something else (the current neck, while I love the woods can no longer obtain the relief I seek even with the truss rod fully loosened - tried to have a friend fix the issue but it's pretty stubborn).

Question: I forget, when you buy from stew mac or warmoth or whatnot, are the frets pretty much ready-to-go, or would it need the whole crowing/polishing type service done to it? I can do simple setup type stuff but not comfortable doing the fretwork.

I'm guessing it depends on the neck but perhaps one place is better than the other on being drop-in ready.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Replacement neck question (fender)

So you've got too much backbow?

In the past (not sure about now) Warmoth needed some fret attention before it was ready to go. A musikraft I just got was in excellent shape, and the luthier even commented on how good it looked.

 

[tabeck5]

Re: Replacement neck question (fender)

I have bought multiple necks from both Warmoth and Musikraft and I can say that both are very high quality necks. Some warmoth's needed some VERY minor fret dressing, while the Musikraft needed none. I would not hesitate to recommend either one. Another option is the Fender necks, they ship some of their necks finished for $250 (MIM), I have never owned one but I have played a few and their 50s profile is really outstanding. The best part of the Warmoth/Musikraft necks are the profile choices, the Warmoth 59 is one of the most comfortable necks I have ever played, same goes for the Musikraft 57 V.

 

[DankStar]

Re: Replacement neck question (fender)

on the musikraft site, what's the difference between the "dual acting adjust through plug" truss rod configuration versus the "bullet" adjust? don't they both require an allen wrench through a hole at the top of the fretboard near the headstock? looks like the bullet version just might be a little more accessible since it sticks out?

---

just banged out a mock musikraft neck spec sheet. pretty fun and helped me think about what I'd want in a new neck. $250, not bad really!

kind of hard to decide b/w a fixed radius or compound. I sort of like my rg500 neck radius but it's almost too flat (I think it's 16" but will check when my guages get delivered), so I think I'd want a 12" or 14" radius.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Replacement neck question (fender)

Don't forget the Kiesel site
They still sell necks for fender

Headstock options
Carbon fiber rods
Stainless frets

 

[AlexR]

Re: Replacement neck question (fender)

If you are close to what you want, then having the neck slightly humped and the frets 'levelled' with a straightedge will mean once the TR is loosened then you have an 'artificial' relief.

Of course this is mainly for necks that are really beloved and quite close to where they should be.....or where less money is being thrown at the guitar.

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: Replacement neck question (fender)

None of my many Warmoth necks dial in much relief either- it's just the way they are made. IMO all the basic Warmoth necks( and I think they do more extensive prep on the expensive higher end ones) need fret leveling out of the factory if you want low action w/o fret outs.

I've heard good things about Musikraft prep work out of the box, that all the frets are level but I've no experience with that. Musikraft offers many options for frets radius, and everything, and I think I would like to try one.

Check into the different types of truss rods- For Warmoth, 'vintage' is just that- sounds more vintage, 'modern' dual action truss rod with the side adjust sounds more modern.'Vintage modern' is a good compromise.Most Warmoth necks are compound Radiused and might be too flat for you.

If you want a great neck with 12" radius, look into a MIM 12" radius neck off of one of the models that had that neck- 'modern player' , I think , and certain years of a few other MIM Strats which I can't recall right nowA good used one costs around 200-250 now. Fender fretwork is excellent, and I think they do dial in relief very well, but the frets are Medium jumbo only...make sure you know which fret size you like! Oh, alos, Fender neck profiles are prety thin- like Warmoths "Standard thin "on most of their necks. It deosnt feel very substantial, at least to me, I like more meat on the neck, like the Warmoth 59, or 'boatneck'( boatneck is the same thickness as their "fatback", but with narrower shoulders that make it way easier for someone with smaller hands to play).

One other thing is to make sure you know which neck profile you like best. Right now I'm getting rid of a Warmoth Fatback that is just to huge on the shoulders for my fat little paws, otherwise , frets are perfectly level, ti's straight as an arrow, and an awesome neck .

This advice is not intended to be anything other than a guideline form my own personal experience, so take it FWIW.

 

[KNUCKLHEAD]

Re: Replacement neck question (fender)

It's Really that all Guitars should have Push / Pull Truss Rods but mainly expensive Gibbys have them

 

[Detroitblues]

Re: Replacement neck question (fender)

I have purchased Warmoth and Allparts. Warmoth were ready to go right out of the box. Allparts needed some attention at the fretends. But that may be the difference between paying $100 and $200 for a new neck.

I prefer Warmoth and since I discovered their Roasted Maple option, I have replaced all my bolt on neck guitars with roasted maple....

 

[Mincer]

Re: Replacement neck question (fender)

I never had problems with Warmoth, but I ordered SS frets on mine. I can get any relief I want out of them.

 

[muttznmongrelz]

Re: Replacement neck question (fender)

I've had a few Warmoth and Musikraft Necks and they were both kind of hit or miss. Not a fan of the graduating Compound Radius as I prefer a flat 12" or greater radius and 6100 frets. That said; I've had 2 USACG Necks and they were both * FLAWLESS * in manufacture, feel and playability as well as needing nothing done to them right out of the box. The USACG on my Pearl White Iceman is very much reminiscent of my old '88 B.C. Rich Gunslinger in feel and playability; so much so that it's the one I gravitate back to regularly. Highly recommend that you check out USACG as well as Warmoth and Musikraft.