Hi folks,
I have a 1977 strat and the neck shifts when applying pressure to it.
What is the best way to fix this without drilling extra mounting holes?
Many thanks
Rob

Take it to a good luthier preferably a Fender gold star authorized repair shop. This is not an uncommon problem with some mid 70's Strats and one reason they went back to a 4 screw neck plate. Those guitars are becoming more valuable and worth spending the money for a professional repair.

Welcome.

Not to contradict the other poster but NEVER presume that just because a factory authorized facility regardless of whether it has a 'gold' anything in its title has service personnel competent enough to successfully accomplish each and every task that comes their way, especially one like this.

It would involve gluing hard wood laminates to the side areas of the body which hold the neck and meticulously shaping these laminates down to size and shape so that they perfectly sit in the body curves and perfectly accept the interlocking neck heel. The body's curved edges and side must have absolutely no play whatsoever when the neck is reinstalled while keeping in mind that the neck MUST mate exactly to OEM specs or your intonation and string spread shall be compromised. Then there's the spot finishing considerations where these laminates were added as they will surely show. Further, the two wood screw holes of the neck plate would have to be doweled and redrilled as the existing ones are certainly stretched out by now as is the probability of the lower screw's metal disk's threaded hole where the disk would need replacing too. Needless to say, aside from the high expense, this procedure too would permanently alter the 'OEMness' of the instrument. Lastly, with the guitar being subjected to even 'ordinary' use from this point on (including while being transported in its case), there still is no guarantee that this problem will never, ever return.

Unfortunately, the 4th screw (under the neck plate) is still the most prudent, stable and economical.

As always, all the above is merely IMO where YMMV.

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You dig?

Martian you are the man! lol

That's what they pay me the big money for!

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You dig?

They should!

Just for those as don't know, Martian has decades of experience at this stuff and very excellent knowledge of this issue in particular. His advice is as good as it gets and can be taken as such.

(Sometimes when folks are new to a Forum they don't know which bits to take seriously. Now they do! )

Cheers - C

Thank you so much!

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That's a fact!! Martian is one of our esteemed gurus! He is exceptional in the pickup/electrical areas of the guitar!!

I thank you too!

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Whenever someone asks a technical question I always skim and see what Martian has to say, heck he's who I ask for advice on electronics.

In short, if you have a technical question, you won't go wrong ignoring what the rest of us have to say, and just reading his posts.

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

You really are too kind. Of course, I truly do appreciate it.

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Poor Martian. One post full of good advice - then he has to do another half dozen politely thanking everyone for their friendly comments!

Good manners cost nothing - except to the owner of those good manners, it seems!

Cheers - C

I profoundly do appreciate all the kind words and hope you all know that I never take such praise for granted nor get a 'big head' from it either.

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I humbly bow to Martian's wisdom in this instance. I only know that my Luthier is a certified fender repair shop and he does excellent work and I have never had a problem that he couldn't fix. He is not a big box retailer. However I don't own a Three bolt Strat either... just trying to help.

Our compliments about Martian's skills were in no way diminishing your contribution to this thread at all. Please don't think that. You have helped a lot of posters.
I think we were just trying(maybe not in appropriate place) to let the new members know that they can pretty much rest assure that if Martian gives a suggestion that it should be noted that he is well informed and you can be assured he knows what he's talking about.
Please take no offense as your opinions are as welcomed and appreciated too my friend!