Revolving necks????

[jalguitarman]

Hi all,

I have an EJ strat with a one piece maple neck. I really want one with a Rosewood fretboard, but since I can't really justify spending the money right now, what do you think of the idea of having an EJ Rosewood neck on hand and swapping them out as the mood hits me until I can afford an EJ Rosewood?:?:

 

[jmh151]

Re: Revolving necks????

The problem with that is guitar necks usually have to remain under string tension or else they start developing problems- and the necks also have to adjust each time you re-mount them. In other words it's not that simple, there's many other variables. If you don't do it too often you shouldnt have much of a problem

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Revolving necks????

Nothing wrong with that, as long as they both fit tight. It would even save fret-wear on the original in case you decide to sell it later.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Revolving necks????

I have necks sitting around that have been waiting on bodies for a few years, and they show no signs of warpage. Truss rod is kept at the tension it was when I got it. Might be different for Fender necks, though, but I doubt it.

Wood will go where it wants, when it wants, whether it's got tension on it or not. If it will warp, it will warp. If it won't, it won't.

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: Revolving necks????

no.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Revolving necks????

Sounds like a PITA to me, setting up the guitar from scratch over and over just to suit fickle aesthetic tastes. Besides, if you are gonna buy an actual EJ Strat neck, you're gonna spend a chunk of change anyhow. I say you just eat ramen for a few months and get the guitar you want.

 

[jalguitarman]

Re: Revolving necks????

Sounds like a PITA to me, setting up the guitar from scratch over and over just to suit fickle aesthetic tastes. Besides, if you are gonna buy an actual EJ Strat neck, you're gonna spend a chunk of change anyhow. I say you just eat ramen for a few months and get the guitar you want.

I hear you. And it's not that I don't like the EJ as it is actually it's the best sounding maple necked Strat I have ever owned.I was actually thinking of buying an EJ rosewood capped neck, but I think you are right. I don't consider the guitar to be ramen by any means but it's just that sometimes I like the mellower sound of rosewood.

 

[jalguitarman]

Re: Revolving necks????

no.

Short, sweet and to the point. I like that.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Revolving necks????

I honestly don't see a problem in it. It would be a pain to have to reset up every-time you were in the mood for a change; however, I honestly don't see a problem–have dealt with necks that sat unused for über long periods of time without any harm whatsoever...

 

[guitarSQUIRELL]

Re: Revolving necks????

I had a neck off a project guitar for about 3 months while i was working on it and it, heck, even painted the back of it and it didnt give me any problems when i re-installed it....And keep in mind that I live in South Mississippi where the humidity is around 90% and above on somedays during the summer....

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Revolving necks????

The only problem I see is a financial one if you actually buy an Eric Johnson Rosewood neck. (You'll pay a premium for the neck by itself, and if you complete it as an Eric Johnson it's still not all original)

That being said if you get a Warmoth or USACG, etc. type neck, I don't see an issue.

Of course in my 20's my strategy was "If I eat ramen and don't do anything for a month I can just buy XYZ piece of gear. It's a little different with wife, house and baby on the way.

 

[Lucy Diamond]

Re: Revolving necks????

It's a pain brother. Nothing more than that.

Historically, one of the main selling points of Strats i.e. bolt on necks was that you could take it apart and fit it anywhere (no mom jokes.)

The one thing I would definitely suggest is that if you are going to do this often...have your wits about you every time you screw and unscrew into the wood because the holes will wear out.

 

[dystrust]

Re: Revolving necks????

It's a pain brother. Nothing more than that.

Historically, one of the main selling points of Strats i.e. bolt on necks was that you could take it apart and fit it anywhere (no mom jokes.)

The one thing I would definitely suggest is that if you are going to do this often...have your wits about you every time you screw and unscrew into the wood because the holes will wear out.

If you're going to swap necks frequently you may want to consider threaded inserts in place of wood screws to secure the necks.

 

[jalguitarman]

Re: Revolving necks????

If you're going to swap necks frequently you may want to consider threaded inserts in place of wood screws to secure the necks.

I was wondering about that.

 

[jalguitarman]

Re: Revolving necks????

I had a neck off a project guitar for about 3 months while i was working on it and it, heck, even painted the back of it and it didnt give me any problems when i re-installed it....And keep in mind that I live in South Mississippi where the humidity is around 90% and above on somedays during the summer....

I hear ya. The humidity is pretty nasty here as well.

 

[voggin]

Re: Revolving necks????

At the cost of a replacement neck, I'd wait a bit and try to find a used complete guitar at a decent price.

 

[Lucy Diamond]

Re: Revolving necks????

If you're going to swap necks frequently you may want to consider threaded inserts in place of wood screws to secure the necks.

That's AWESOME!!!!

I didn't even know that was possible. Have you ever done the mod?? Does it effect the sound at all?

Also...will the matchup between the neck and the neck pocket loosen up over time?

 

[Grandturk]

Re: Revolving necks????

I love the feel of the EJ maple neck but never dug the RW neck because of the binding. I'd love a 12" radius RW neck no binding

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Revolving necks????

That's AWESOME!!!!

I didn't even know that was possible. Have you ever done the mod?? Does it effect the sound at all?

Also...will the matchup between the neck and the neck pocket loosen up over time?

Dan Erlewine writes about it in one of his books.

 

[dystrust]

Re: Revolving necks????

That's AWESOME!!!!

I didn't even know that was possible. Have you ever done the mod?? Does it effect the sound at all?

Also...will the matchup between the neck and the neck pocket loosen up over time?

My bro had it done on a MIJ Squier Strat, but the tech was lazy and didn't follow the installation instructions. Initially after install it was great; the guitar resonated better and just seemed more lively. It's hard to say for sure if there were any tonal changes, but the guitar definitely felt more alive. With properly installed inserts the fit between the body and neck never changes; it'll fit the same way for the life of the guitar. In fact I got the idea from a boutique clone builder, I think it was either Suhr or Anderson, but I can't remember which.

Unfortunately since the tech didn't properly secure the inserts (they should be epoxied in), they started to work their way out over time. He wouldn't properly reinstall them under warranty on his work, so we opted to have the neck heel doweled and re-drilled for regular screws. In general I think it's a positive, but probably not worth the trouble unless you're un-mounting the neck a lot.