Okay, I have a CBS 1979 Fender Strat with the 3 bolt micro-tilt adjument neck. The guitar is in great shape and I've had it since the late 80's. It used to be my main guitar back in the day and saw a lot of rehersals/gigs. So the last time I took her in for a good going over they told me the frets have likely, one more dressing in them before needing to refret the neck. Because of this I have not been playing her much the last year or so but I really want to.

So, I want to get another neck to put on this body and store the original.

My question is: do I have to put another neck with the micro-tilt on it or can I use any neck that will fit the neck pocket? There are plenty of reissue necks out there with the micro-tilt but generally run $300 + and for around that price I can just get the existing neck refretted. Also, my neck is maple fretboard and I'd like to get a rosewood one.

I have seen some mighty mite necks and such but I'm wondering do I have to have the micro-tilt or can I use the existing 3 bolt neck plate on a typical neck?

I appreciate any info the forum may have.

Thanks,

If you owned an original 1966 Shelby AC Cobra with a side-oiling OHC 427 that needed new piston rings and valve seals, would you corrupt that vehicle by swapping the motor out for one from a Pinto?



'Nuff said!

Arjay

_________________
"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

Wouldn't a refret cost less than a replacement neck?

Not necessarily, to refret a maple neck will be in the $300 - $500 range depending on who does it. I have heard various figures.

Seriously dude? That is long way to go to show yourself as a sarcastic elitist. If you don't want to contribute to the thread in terms of helping me out with some info fine, but feel free not to troll. You're not obligated to reply.

Is it sacrilege to consider putting another neck on my guitar? I want to preserve the original. That's the whole point!!!

Go on eBay, and buy a neck from a Mexican Fender Classic Series 70's Strat. I got mine on eBay for $190 including shipping It will bolt right on. It will say made in Mexico ( but only on the back side ). That's the option for a "replacement neck". If I were you, I would play the original until the frets just couldn't fret no more LOL......Only THEN would I refret the old gal. I will play my '74 Strat until it turns to dust. You just can't beat the sound of old wood If you ever do have it refretted, make sure the luthier knows that these Fenders' frets were installed SIDEWAYS. If they pull them out the traditional way, it will chip your fretboard badly. They need to take a punch and hammer and gently tap the fret out from the treble towards the bass side of the neck and it will come out leaving a very nice and clean fret slot!

You asked, pal. If you didn't want an answer you shouldn't have.

Mighty Mite is a budget line of parts which are not worthy of installing on a 32-year old Strat, at least not IMO. It's not sacrilege to replace your neck but it's blasphemy to install some POS. The neck from a MIM 70's Classic as mentioned by another gentleman is a perfectly sensible substitute and it will keep your instrument "all Fender". Do as you will, I couldn't give a sh*t less.

Arjay

_________________
"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

No, I didn't ask for your cork snobbery D-bag attitiude. I didn't ask for your opinion on which neck was worthy, just could it be done without the micro-tilt feature.

I am aware of mighty mite and I wasn't speaking of that as the only replacement option. Again you're not obligated to post responses.

just get the neck refretted. save until you can afford to do so. its
up to you though as arjay gave you another option that you could use as well.
i'll by the neck if you want to replace it though.
now, while looking into a refret, im not sure but some of the old necks the frets were installed from the side and not pressed in from the top. i dont know if yours follows under that though. you will need to check in on that one. if so, you will want the new ones installed the same way to my understanding. if that is the case you will play hell finding someone who can do that in this day in age. if you do however, the cost will reflect that.
hope this help and shines some light on what you might be facing.

_________________
63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

Thanks for the reply,
yeah, I looked at the 70's RI necks as an option. Currently, I didn't see anything under $250 + shipping. I'll keep looking. Still, I wonder if a non micro-tilt neck can be accurately mounted.

Also, Thanks for the tip on the sideways frets. I had not heard that before.

Yes, I love this strat. I've gone too long without playing it. It is a hardtail and weighs a ton. Seriously as heavy as a typical les paul. I asked Fender about and they said it is likely a northern ash body. I havn't seen another quite like it yet.

well since we are talking about it lets see a pic or 3 of it.
we like pic's around here by the way.

_________________
63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

Thanks for the input.
No, I'll not be selling the existing neck even if I do replace it. I want to keep the original one.

But you're right, the sideways frets is likely to elevate the cost of having the neck refretted. I guess ultimately I will have to have it done. I just got to wondering if installing a non micro-tilt neck is possible? Which still has yet to be addressed.


I figured they may be some modders here who may have come across this issue before.

ROck on!!

ok im thinking yes its possible. should be the same but w/o the tilt like you said.
you could always go with warmoth necks as well. yes they CAN be a little pricey but worth it in my opinion. either way, when you go to order tell them what your plans are with it. but i honestly dont see any reason why it wouldnt work out for you.

_________________
63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

Yeah, I'll try to post some soon. But I have to warn you it's not stock.
Based on the tone of some of this thread, that's likely to be an issue,

Since I got it back in about 88' I replaced the gold anodized aluminum pickguard with a black one and the bridge saddles are brass. I assume these are not stock but it was that way when I got it. At one point I had it routed for a bridge humbucker as well. I was playing in a metal band and the single coils just didn't get it done. I've had all kinds of pick ups in it ove the years. EMGs, Duncans, currently has Dimarzio Air Norton in the bridge and a Blue Velvet in neck. Mid is vacant. The Air Norton is generally a neck pickup but it sounds good in bridge for a mid output type setup. The Blue Velvet sounds GREAT!

hey i have several guitars that arent stock. thing is, its yours and you have a great history with the guitar. more valuable than stock if you ask me. however, as a hobby its always fun trying to find parts for a guitar incase ya want to make it stock again. i made a post a while back where i had waited and hunted since 1992 for a stock neck i broke way back when and had to go after market. though i didnt play the guitar any more i on occation looked for a neck. well, i saw a ad on CL for something i wanted a couple months agao. there setting in the background of the pic was a neck. i messaged the guy about the item for sell and questioned about the neck in the background. come to find out the neck is exactly what ive been looking for for almost 20 yrs lol. the neck ment nothing to him so not only did i get the item up fore sell, i also got the neck on the cheap to boot.
cha-ching!

_________________
63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."