I took one of my Strats apart, unbolted the neck from the body and now can't put it back together! I noticed there was a shim in it and when I took the neck off, it came out and now I can't figure out where to put it back in. Can someone direct me to a step by step process of how to put it back properly please? I didn't think it was such a major job.

How big and thick is the shim?

Is it needed, or was it for resolving a fretting out issue?

I've used a folded post-it note in the neck pocket sometimes. As small as it is, it allows setting the action a little more towards my preference.

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The shim is 40mm x 65 mm and it is 1 mm thick. Not sure why it was in there, but obviously there was a reason for it!

Okay, roll a tiny piece of scotch tape and tack on back of shim, then stick it in the neck pocket.

Put the neck on and while holding at the side, position neckplate.

Put in first top left then back right bolts finger tight (keeping good grip on neck/body).

Then put top right and back left bolts on finger tight and tighten each until secure.

This isn't rocket science or spec'd out, just my way of doing it and it's always worked well for me.

Good luck!

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I followed thru that and I know its notrocket science, but somehow the neck and body is slightly out of align and there is about a 2 mm gap between the side of the body cavity and neck, it should just screw back in nicely as you siad, but somehow, its not doing this...

Is the gap on both sides? Are all the bolts firmly tightened?

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

Hi stratgib: where did you put the shim?

It almost certainly belongs at the end of the neck pocket closest to the pickups, between the curved end of the pocket and the screw holes. It is there to raise the high end of the fingerboard a touch and so make the whole neck lean back a very small amount.

Try that.

Cheers - C

I'm not sure how a 1mm shim can leave a 2mm gap?


Also, I'd try it without the shim, then if it needed it, add it.

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

Thanks, got it back in, somehow, don't know how, but I did. All good now.

Glad to hear it!

_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!