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Post subject: Some help finding the right Strat for me please...
Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2016 5:37 am
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Hi all,

I'm looking to buy either a high-end Mexican or possibly a standard American, haven't quite decided on that yet but I'm having a little frustration with the lack of choice when it comes to necks. I'm in the UK and been mostly using Andertons online store to browse different guitars but no matter how many I look at it seems that all guitars just have a standard 9.5" raduis with 42mm nut and the modern "C" shape neck.

This seems odd to me that Fender are just going for a one-size-fits-all approach. Where is the choice? I'm looking for a bigger raduis (hopefully 12") with a chunkier neck (ideally a soft "V" or maybe a "D" shape) and I like a little more distance between the strings, so 43mm nut is what I've been looking out for.

Can anyone explain why all strats seem to have the exact same neck or am I just looking in the wrong place? I have my heart set on a Fender as I love the sound and I've always wanted a Strat and a Tele of my own. Being an intermediate player with a budget though, I'm not ready to consider custom shop for a few years, I just want a reliable workhorse instrument for the forseeable future. Any advice on how I can find what I'm looking for would be much appreciated.

Many thanks for any help you can provide.


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Post subject: Re: Some help finding the right Strat for me please...
Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2016 5:56 am
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Welcome to the forum.

Rather than ponder and cross reference specifications you would be better going and trying.

You can convince yourself that something may, or may not, feel good but, until you get it in your hands, you wont know for sure.

As is apparent Fender have tried many neck shapes over the years and haven't stopped making certain sizes just to be difficult. They stopped because the majority of people who tried the different shapes bought a particular shape and not the others. They stick with the popular choice because the popular choice sells.

There are alternate shapes available (as you will no doubt have established reading the specs) but not necessarily in the profile you might think you are looking for. Also, humans are quite adaptable and you might be surprised how you can get on with a neck (even come to like it) even though it may not be exactly what you think you want.

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Post subject: Re: Some help finding the right Strat for me please...
Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2016 7:49 am
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These are really good https://www.andertons.co.uk/p/014110037 ... -fretboard

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Post subject: Re: Some help finding the right Strat for me please...
Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2016 7:57 am
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stratmangler wrote:


Solid call. Has the OP's name all over it ;-)

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Post subject: Re: Some help finding the right Strat for me please...
Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2016 8:25 am
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John Sims wrote:
Rather than ponder and cross reference specifications you would be better going and trying.

You can convince yourself that something may, or may not, feel good but, until you get it in your hands, you wont know for sure.

Good point yes. I should have clarified that the preferences I stated are the result of trying out various styles and shapes over the past few years. I've always found the slightly flatter necks with the wider string space and chunkier necks to feel more natural to me. I know it's basically a "Gibson" neck and many have said that I should look there but for whatever reason, their guitars just don't seem to click with me. It's odd but I guess so am I :/

stratmangler wrote:

Thanks, I hadn't spotted that one.


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Post subject: Re: Some help finding the right Strat for me please...
Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2016 8:28 am
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Spirit X wrote:
stratmangler wrote:

Thanks, I hadn't spotted that one.

Still modern C shape and narrow nut width, though.

Fender bases what it makes on what sells. And like it or not, a lot of buyers are going to be young people with small hands or older people with limited dexterity. It's like socks and gloves and "once size fits all" - no, it bloody well doesn't, but those who it fits don't appreciate the problem.
And not only age is a factor, but people with sub-Saharan or Nordic ancestry tend to have bigger hands (and feet (and you know what they say...)) than Central/Southern Europeans and Asians.
And Kalamazoo, MI had a different demographic than Fullerton, CA.

That said, Fender used to have models with wider nuts back in the 50s and 60s, but now, even the "reissues" of those have narrow nuts. It's much cheaper for them to have standardized parts and procedures.


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Post subject: Re: Some help finding the right Strat for me please...
Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2016 6:30 am
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You could take a look at the American Elite series.

Compound Back Shape - Modern "C" to "D"; 9.5"-14" Compound Radius with a 42.8 mm nut width.


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Post subject: Re: Some help finding the right Strat for me please...
Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2016 10:21 am
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Yeah, I've been looking at those! I could be pushed if they really feel that good to me but the price is more than I was intending at the moment. Will have a go on one next time I'm shopping and see how it feels though.


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Post subject: Re: Some help finding the right Strat for me please...
Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2016 5:54 pm
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I have found it difficult to buy a Fender with the neck just like you want it. Frets especially. About the only way to get exactly what you want is to go with Warmoth, etal. They aren't too high.


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