Hi everyone. I'm in the process of setting up a 1990 Strat Plus that came with a funny looking wrench. One side has the allen wrench that is crimped into a nickle metal piece that has two prongs about 1 1/2 inches apart. What is the two pronged side for? I think the allen side will fit into the hole in the neck plate for the microtilt adj. Correct? Is there any info. here at the Fender site or any other site on how to properly do the microtilt neck adjustment?

Thanks for your help. Play that thang!

I don't own a Micro-Tilt neck guitar, but the Strat Setup guide seems to cover it.

http://www.fender.com/support/stratocaster.php

Gil

_________________
Where ever you go, there you are

1998 Ovation 1861 Standard Balladeer Natural
Taka - 2005 Squier '51 Black
Yume - 2006 Squier Strat Cherryburst
Houbi - 2008 Fender VG Strat Blizzard Pearl - won here
Fender Super Champ XD; Vox DA-5

Thank you, Gil. That helped a lot. Have you ever had to shim your guitar to adjust neck tilt? Anyone know what the two pronged side of the tool that came with this Strat is for?

I've never had to shim any of my necks.

I have no idea about the tool.

Gil

_________________
Where ever you go, there you are

1998 Ovation 1861 Standard Balladeer Natural
Taka - 2005 Squier '51 Black
Yume - 2006 Squier Strat Cherryburst
Houbi - 2008 Fender VG Strat Blizzard Pearl - won here
Fender Super Champ XD; Vox DA-5

Can you post a pic of the tool?

_________________
Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
Authorized WD Music Products Dealer
F/A Official Southpaw Compliance Certification Tester http://faamps.com/

http://www.facebook.com/cafeathers


I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

+1

This is the tool that came in the case. It is a used '90 Strat Plus.

Looks like it might be used for removing volume + tone knobs.

Good call, ndngary! It seems to fit just right under the knobs. I didn't pull one off, but you have me convinced that it is for exactly that, and it fits. Thanks!

First time I see that tool. Learn something new every day.

Yeah, I did it to my Telecaster when I first got it (used). It's a MIM Standard, so it doesn't have microtilt, but it's a relatively simple procedure. I just used a .50 pick in the neck pocket and it works just great. My problem was that the saddles were too low for any sort of downward adjustment so I shimmed the whole neck up and took it from there. It was part of the obligatory post-purchase setup -- the guy who I bought it from, incidentally, was a professional musician and his inability to set up a guitar properly astounded me.

Yeah, Vulcan. I understand that some guys don't want to take on certain jobs like shimming the neck and other adjustments. I know that anyone can do it, it just takes time, effort, and a bit of knowledge. I'm not intimidated by things like that, but I have friends who consider themselves not mechanically inclined. I say they're lazy. LoL

By the way, the microtilt adjustment worked well.

I totally agree Gunmetal. I realized after I did it that there are a plethora of videos on the net detailing every step, but I just took my time and it worked out fine. It helps that my father has been playing forever and is always available to answer my inane questions. Moreover, I've always enjoyed tinkering, sometimes to the point where I'll spend hours "fixing the action" on a guitar that already plays great. It's a little alarming when you first unbolt that neck though; guitars don't feel good in two pieces!

LoL I hear you, Vulkan. But it sure looked like fun when Pete Townshend and Hendrix "removed" the necks on their guitars back in the day. Just once I'd like to take a cheap knock off guitar and do a Hendrix customization, if you know what I mean.

I' ve thought the same thing, but I've never been able to bring myself to do it. Destroying an instrument, even a cheap horrible instrument, is tantamount to destroying art in my mind.