Anyone ever use a non-licensed Fender part? There is a guy on ebay who makes a variety of necks made to fit on fender bodies. Anyone bought and used one? Ebay name is karosaguitars. I love the look of the necks, awesome use of many different woods. But are they worth it? Some reviews on some biased websites claim they are junk while others say they're great. So which is it?

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"Epitaph on a blues musician’s tombstone: “I didn’t wake up this morning”" Davy Knowles


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Yes. As with anything, you typically get what you pay for.

For me and replacement necks (or bodies), its Warmoth or bust.

YMMV.

+1 warmtoh is top notch. you can get pretty much whatever you want, however you want it with warmoth.

Hi DetroitBlues: I've used WD Music S-type necks, which to the best of my belief they build themselves rather than farming out. Though that is not catagorical.

Anyhow, I've found those very good indeed, without the slightest requirement for tweaking prior to fitting. Nice timber, completely stable, good fretting. I'm not absolutely certain whether they are licensed by Fender. You'd think they'd have to be given that they reproduce the trademarked headstock shape - but I don't remember ever seeing them describing their necks as "Fender licensed", so I don't know...?

I don't know the Ebay seller you are talking about. Care to post us a link to his page(s) so's we can check it out, please?

Cheers - C

http://stores.ebay.com/karosaguitars?_rdc=1

This is his store. Very interesting woods. No two are ever the same. A new batch comes out every couple of weeks. None of them ever have the same wood types...

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"Epitaph on a blues musician’s tombstone: “I didn’t wake up this morning”" Davy Knowles


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Ha. That's interesting, thank you.

D'ya know, I have a foggy sensation we have seen that gentleman's work here on the Forum before. I have a feeling a Forum user bought one of his necks - but I've been searching and can't find an old thread about it. It would be a long time ago, whenever it was.

I just can't remember what was said about these necks: I don't want to get it wrong from memory and so won't speculate.

There's something odd about where the neck joins the headstock, though - aside from that weird triangular trussrod cover. He's not showing us a side shot, but it almost looks as if the wood doesn't curve down to the face of the headstock behind the nut, the way a Fender does. Can't make out how it is shaped, though.

Hmmm. I'd want to know more before buying. My doubts are raised by someone who apologies for the roughness of his nuts, saying he's not very good at making them. Good grief, why not? Honestly, that's not the difficult bit of building a neck!

I wonder how much they tend to sell for? Have you been watching his auctions and seen what the final prices end up as?

Anyway; very interesting, thanks. Please tell us if you pursue it further.

Cheers - C

They are very interesting necks. I've never seen the price of one go for more than $90 or so. I'm sure I could ask him for a side view shot. I am betting the neck doesn't curve like most Fenders. Then again I would think it has too because how are you going to get to the truss rod nut? I did notice he has changed to a different truss rod though. I've been thinking of creating a parts caster (telecaster to start) and thought one of those exotic woods would be cool. I just want a honest opinion on it.

The nut is an interesting remark on his part. I'm guessing he just buys a stock pile of preslotted nuts and glues them in. He probably doesn't have the proper tools for making a nut or doesn't care.....

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"Epitaph on a blues musician’s tombstone: “I didn’t wake up this morning”" Davy Knowles


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When it comes to necks I stick to Warmoth. Yes, they may be pricey, but I've never been less than astounded when I received the final product. You know you're getting quality. Even the previously owned ones I've snagged off of eBay.

I remember back in the late 90's and early 00's when Fender offered necks for sale in retail outlets. I wish they still did that.

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There are ample numbers of reputable neck alternatives to some unknown builder with a self-admitted dubious track record -- I'd look for a genuine Fender neck from one of the Ebay chop shops or a custom build from Warmoth, USACG, Allparts, etc before betting the ranch on this. A guitar neck is akin to the keel of a ship or the box-beam structure of a 747's wing......if you screw the pooch here, the entire guitar is toast.

HTH

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

I wish they still did that. Even if the serial number represented it being an aftermarket neck. Just like I don't like how Warmoth or Mighty Mite are authorized dealers, but they don't put Fender logos on them. If you're an authorized dealer, put a Fender decal on it!

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"Epitaph on a blues musician’s tombstone: “I didn’t wake up this morning”" Davy Knowles


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I think the distinction is, companies like Warmoth, Mightie Mite, Allparts, etc are licensed by FMIC to produce a Fender-spec neck but not authorized to actually mark it as such with a headstock decal.

I'm not in any manner a corporate lawyer here -- merely speculating.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

I wonder if the Fender moderator could explain this...

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"Epitaph on a blues musician’s tombstone: “I didn’t wake up this morning”" Davy Knowles


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I've had to parts-o-casters put together.

Warmoth Strat: Warmoth Strat bodies are pretty nice, but not entirely accurate. They are close. The neck was perfect. I can't tell the difference.

Allpart Tele: Body seems spot on. The Neck seemed pretty good too, but the back of the head stock is a little different. Kind of like an 80's Japanese Tele neck.

Paris

Warmoth has some seriously great stuff. But at the prices they are asking, you might as well buy a used American instrument. $700 for a finished guitar body? I think not! They are priced decent if you want a raw looking piece to finish properly...

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"Epitaph on a blues musician’s tombstone: “I didn’t wake up this morning”" Davy Knowles


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