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Post subject: 95/96 MIM Strat - New neck?
Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2018 12:30 pm
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Joined: Tue Aug 21, 2018 12:12 pm
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I dusted off my old MIM Strat and realized that it needs some work. I looked up the serial number and it says it was made in 95 or 96 in Mexico. It has a maple neck with tiny little frets that are in pretty bad shape. The trem is super noisy and the saddle adjustment screws are rusty and way too long. I will probably get a new trem with a bigger block. I have a loaded pickgurad that I was thinking of throwing in, but here is my question: Should I bother getting the neck refretted with some nice med-jumbo frets or should I just get a new neck for a couple hundred bucks? I would not mind a rosewood or Pau Ferro neck but I have no idea where I would buy it for this year. Any suggestions? I appreciate any feedback. Just trying to get my old Strat to play nice so I can learn to play it again. Its been 15+ years.:shock:


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Post subject: Re: 95/96 MIM Strat - New neck?
Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2018 11:37 pm
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Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
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If you absolutely prefer big frets like Medium Jumbos, the quick and cost-effective way is to get a new neck.
Same neck joint type (4-bolt to 4-bolt; 3-bolt to 3-bolt; Deluxe to Deluxe etc.)
Fender necks are interchangeable, so if you buy second hand, the new neck could come from several models.
(BTW; "a couple hundred bucks" sounds a bit high - a new MIM Standard neck is under 200, MIM Classics about 250 straight from Fender. Used necks, in the US, should be way below that.)

But if you like the current neck and fret size: even small vintage frets (by that, I'm guessing you have some Classic series model?) usually have enough metal for more than one fret dressing (leveling/reshaping/polishing); new frets aren't the only solution to worn frets...
And since you name other issues, too, I suggest you have a good pro check the guitar to get a view of what needs to be done and the costs.


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Post subject: Re: 95/96 MIM Strat - New neck?
Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2018 1:56 am
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Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2015 6:57 am
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Hi Loudlizard (nice handle) and welcome to the forum.

It sounds like you are on the way to another guitar - New neck, new loaded pick guard, new trem - not really much left of the original.

Funny things guitars, and I find myself in the same dilemma. We have guitars which, for what ever reason, we don't dig. Is it better to cut the apron strings and sell them on or spend more money and change them?

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After all this time I should be better.


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