I have a CIJ '62 RI maple Stratocaster neck (serial no. R98XXX) that I would like to use on an appropriate Stratocaster body.

After installing this neck on a couple of different MIM bodies, I have noticed a sizable gap (approx. 1/8"+) between the heel of the neck and the top of the pickguard. In comparing to other Strats, this seems wrong.

Other than a MIJ body, would an American Strat body better accommodate this neck and eliminate this gap?

Thanks.

It might be a flaw of that particular neck... I've had success melding MIM & MIJ/CIJ necks and bodies in the past with no problems. Similarly, I've had some that were VERY snug and some that were a little loose. It's the nature of the beast when building a strat from parts. I don't know that substituting a MIA body will solve your problem.

+1

I've had similar experiences with my builds as well.

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