Is there anything inherently "wrong" with putting a 57 RI strat neck on a 62 RI strat body? I like the look of the maple necks more than the rosewood fingerboards.

I don't see any problem. The only structural difference in bodies is, the '62 type has the "shoulder" in the control cavity for an extra pickguard screw. And that will not be visible once the instrument is assembled. I do think however that the single-ply pickguard "belongs" with the maple fretboard (at least on "re-issue" type guitars) but that's my personal preference. Have a ball with it......Stratocasters are like '69 Camaros. Born to hot-rod!

Arjay

Hi pdb3s, welcome to the Forum.

Well, they did have maple fingerboards in the '60s too - but I do know what you're getting at. In fact, I know so well I did exactly what you're talking about myself. Here's my '50s style neck on a '60s spec bod:



Seems to work...?

Cheers - C

Thanks for the replies. I guess I was wondering why Fender is only producing the 62 RI with rosewood fingerboards right now. I've played both the 62 and 57 and they sound really different. I didn't know if the rosewood fingerboard enhances the tonal qualities of the pickups in the 62 RI or vice versa...? If not, I think I'm going to go ahead with my little project.

Fender just made the '57 and the '62 the way they are to have an example of each with the RW and Maple fingerboard.
They aren't exact reproductions and I think they use the same pickups that were based on an example of a good '61...that's the way I remember it.
Like someone said there were '60s Strats with maple necks....I guess those were maple slabboards,maybe....someone will know without looking it up.

Good. That's what I assumed, but you never know.