Fender Custom Shop Strat Neck Re-Size
This Fender Custom Shop Strat came into the shop in perfect working condition but, the customer felt that the neck was too thick to be played comfortably and wanted it thinned down a bit. This is a service that we can offer on most necks.
Before starting, we need to measure the neck as it is now to get a baseline to work off and to know how much we actually can remove without getting too close to the truss rod. In some cases, a neck may not be able to be adjusted in this way but, you can always come into the shop and check with us to see.
We are using our digital calipers for the most accurate reading. You can see that the neck measures 0.889" at the 1st fret.
Higher up, at the 12th fret, we get a reading of 0.991". The customer has provided us with some guidelines that we will use to remove some of the material and retain a comfortable shape.
After some filing, we have made the neck quite a bit shallower but, as you can see, retained the curvature of the neck. This is a rough shape for now that we will fine tune further in the process.
We then sand the neck at the headstock and heel to ensure the new thickness flows evenly with the rest of the neck. This is both for aesthetic and practical reasons as the excess wood can prevent a comfortable playing experience.
We also are getting a reading of 0.901" up at the 12th fret. While both of these readings may seem like small differences, it is a largely noticeable change in guitars.
Now that we have a more comfortable depth and everything has been shaped, we refinished the neck to match the rest of the neck.
In this close up, you can see the new finish blends right in with the original. This step isn't necessary, as some people may want the worn down look or feel on their necks. There are a lot of options that we can apply to modifications like this, just let us know what you are looking for!
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