Buying my first Stratocaster,held an older MIM standard Strat and a new one , the neckon the older one felt thinner and had a super gloss finish compared to the new ones is it my imagination.. the salesmen told me they were the same thickness but totaly different feel.

Probably not your imagination. While the CNC may machine the necks to the same specs; all the finish work is done by hand so there could be some variation. I think the MIM Strat switched from the gloss to the satin finish about the same time they changed the script logo on the headstock. The finish on the neck does affect the playability of the guitar. Many players complained that the gloss finish tended to be sticky when wet. Its been debated here on this frum on more than one occasion.

zfender,

Welcome to the club.

Keep Jammin! Enjoy Life!

Welcome to the Startocaster club. It is my favorite guitar of all time.

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

that "sticky when wet" situation on the high gloss neck finishes is what kept me away from strats for so many years.

The newer models are not so sticky...and the compound radius neck on the American Deluxe model is amazing.

a light rub with some 2000 grade or finer wet and dry works wonders for the sticky problem , i use it on my epiphones and my 89 mij 50's reissue , cheers
Alan

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