Superstrat Neck Issue

[stevie_bees]

Last year I picked up a cheap San Dimas-style Superstrat for some silly 80's shenanigans. It's pretty decent for the £155 I paid for, especially as it came with a Floyd Rose and Wilkinson pickups. I fitted a pair of Triple Shots and a JB and Jazz to give me all those classic tones, plus a little extra.

The problem I have is that the neck is tilted forward. Looking down the neck itself all looks good and straight. Is it just simply insert a small shim to lie things up better, or do I need to shave a little excess wood away at the heel end of the neck? Would it be better to level out the neck pocket? Any thoughts/help gratefully received.

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[dystrust]

Re: Superstrat Neck Issue

I would check both the neck heel and the pocket to confirm that they're straight, but generally speaking it's preferable to modify the neck pocket instead of the neck heel.

 

[greekdude]

Re: Superstrat Neck Issue

^^^ I agree. A shim might work both ways depending on its geometry and where it is installed.
BTW, are you sure this is not a crack we are seeing there? Also the frets seem short in height.

 

[stevie_bees]

Re: Superstrat Neck Issue

No, it's in the grain of the wood. They are more vintage sized frets


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[Funkfingers]

Re: Superstrat Neck Issue

A photograph from the other side of the neck pocket might help to assess the neck pitch angle.

It possible that the neck is not fitted snugly into the pocket. There could be a bit of rough routing or excess finish in the pocket that needs smoothing down.

 

[InbredJunk]

Re: Superstrat Neck Issue

A full neck pocket shim is the way to go. Don't just stick a pick or a folded piece of paper in there. It will create bigger problems down the road. Stewmac sells them.

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[MetalManiac]

Re: Superstrat Neck Issue

A full neck pocket shim is the way to go. Don't just stick a pick or a folded piece of paper in there. It will create bigger problems down the road. Stewmac sells them.

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Yeah, doesn't look like the neck is twisted either way ( the low E would sit high and the high E would sit low, or vice versa). That said, it may still be warped, with a back bow in the middle, and/ or the truss rod may be tweaked.
I'd take the neck off, adjust the truss rod for more forward relief, if that's what you call it, and then do a full pocket shim to bring the entire neck up like inbred said( although sometimes a shim at either end of the neck pocket is just what the Doctor ordered).

I buy a lot of used parts, and more than a fair percentage have tweaked necks. I can usually make em work with a shim, - as long as I can get some neck relief even on a flatter , like compound radius neck- more relief is needed by me on a 9.5- 12 radius neck.If the truss rod is tweaked to where it won't get relief, cause i like low action, it won't work for me. medium to high action probably would be doable with a shim even if the truss rod wont dial in any relief.

Best case scenario would be a bad shim towards the pickup side end of the neck heel raising the small frets end of the neck too high and/or the truss rod way too loose, but working.

I don't know anything about planing the neck pocket , or the neck heel to match the angle of a warped neck.Shims are the way to go with a neck that has some workable issues, w/o getting very involved. I recently had a neck that was tweaked bad, but the truss rod worked, and with a shim it plays great-not perfect, but better than I could have ever hoped for. The Warmoth Unofficial forum has good info. on dealing with stuff like this.

 

[stevie_bees]

Re: Superstrat Neck Issue

I'll upload a pic tomorrow of the other side to give a better view of the neck pocket.


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[InbredJunk]

Re: Superstrat Neck Issue

Take a pic straight down the neck and one of the side of the neck showing the entire neck as well. I think that would be the best indication.

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[uOpt]

Re: Superstrat Neck Issue

Unless you already looked changes are that there is a misguided shim in there.

I can't count the number of bolt-on guitars where I found a shim and simply dumping the shim made it better.

I also re-leveled a neck pocket with a router which worked out, but it can be tricky to do and is prove to nick the sides of the pocket. Only recommended with practice.

 

[stevie_bees]

Re: Superstrat Neck Issue

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[stevie_bees]

Re: Superstrat Neck Issue

I couldn't get my phone in close enough to get a clear indication of the neck alignment.

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[Darg1911]

Re: Superstrat Neck Issue

I have 2 "strats" and one other bolt on and haven't had to mess with any of them, so I know very little about this. But, from the top photo in your last post, it looks like, maybe, the pocket isn't planed flat. Like there is extra material in the middle. Either that, or maybe a shim already in there at the top of the pocket? Just guessing here, so wait on those more experienced with these things.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Superstrat Neck Issue

I'd take a straight edge to both the pocket and the neck heel and verify that both are perfectly flat. Also, is there any extra paint finish inside the pocket that could be holding the back of the neck heel up slightly?

Love that color, by the way! Where did you get the guitar, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[stevie_bees]

Re: Superstrat Neck Issue

I got it from a small shop in the West Midlands through eBay. I can't remember the name off hand. It's a great colour, and great value considering the Floyd is an original!


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[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: Superstrat Neck Issue

'Zat teh Jack Butler?

 

[d1dsj]

Re: Superstrat Neck Issue

Have you stripped it down and had a good look at the pocket Steve?

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Superstrat Neck Issue

In the top photograph, there is a clear gap between the neck heel and the pocket face, widening towards the headstock.

Either there is something in the pocket, already displacing the neck or string tension is pulling the neck off the anchoring screws.

 

[d1dsj]

Re: Superstrat Neck Issue

What FF said.

 

[greekdude]

Re: Superstrat Neck Issue

In the top photograph, there is a clear gap between the neck heel and the pocket face, widening towards the headstock.

Either there is something in the pocket, already displacing the neck or string tension is pulling the neck off the anchoring screws.

He can verify the 2nd only by pushing with his hand at the opposite trend. Yes, it seems some kind of shim has been wrongly fitted at the wrong side of the heel.