I have always wanted a Lake Placid Blue MIA. Figuring I could build one, I ordered a MIM standard body in LPB. the problem, as I see it, will be the difference in string width placement. If I use a MIM standard bridge, it will fit the mounting holes but string placement will be narrower than a true MIA bridge. The MIA neck will fit fine, no problem.

Anyone gone this route before, what did you do for a bridge?

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I remember when we were free!

I replaced my MIM neck with a 85 MIJ neck,
it was the best $125 i have ever spent on music equipment.
the neck fit in the pocket fine, was a bit snug, and had no problems with the bridge.
the best you can do it to try a dry run and bolt the neck on if you have it,
and string up the #1 and #6 E strings and see how it lines up, my guess there won't be a problem.
or tape some fishing line to the #1 and #6 spots on the nut and run it to the bridge,
something to sight in the level of the neck, you can always loosen the neck bolts and slightly tap with your hand to get the proper alinement before doing the final tightening of the neck bolts.

_________________
1986 Kramer Baretta
1989 Samick "The Samick" Les Paul
2007 Fender Strat MIM Deluxe / 1985 MIJ neck
1990 Epiphone Strat
Marshall JCM 2000 DLS 50 watt / Marshall 1960a 4x12

https://soundcloud.com/jim-slimjim-cassi

It depends on which USA neck. MIA Standards have the same narrow string spacing as the MIM standards. MIA and MIM reissues have wider string spacing.

Deluxe necks feature a beveled heel. Not sure if they fit into a MIM body.

What? both my 2008 MIA Standards have wider spacing at the nut than my MIM standards. Are you talking about at the bridge or inertia block?

My understanding was that the American Standards were "wider at the nut" but narrower than "vintage spacing" at the bridge, and that Vintage Strats and MIM were "narrower at the nut" and "wider at the bridge". Is that generally true?

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I remember when we were free!

i didn't know they make different width standard bridges.?
isn't all the spacing done at the nut.?
and if the bridges are different, why isn't there different width pickups.?
the only problem i would see is if the heel is either too wide or too thick.

_________________
1986 Kramer Baretta
1989 Samick "The Samick" Les Paul
2007 Fender Strat MIM Deluxe / 1985 MIJ neck
1990 Epiphone Strat
Marshall JCM 2000 DLS 50 watt / Marshall 1960a 4x12

https://soundcloud.com/jim-slimjim-cassi

Jim,

I get so mixed up with all this spacing variation, I do know my MIA standards have a wider nut, and even though I have small hands and fingers, I love the wider feel of the MIA Standard neck over the narrower MIM Standard neck. At the other end I was under the impression that the MIA had a wider string spacing at the bridge and inertia block, that is at least for 2008 MIA, If the 2012 etc MIA have the same bridge as the MIM I do not know. I did build a Strat with a MIM Deluxe Player body, combined with a 2008 MIA neck. I had to get a vintage spaced bridge for that body, it has 6 hole mounting, but cannot use the MIM standard 6 hole mounted bridge.

I muddle my way through all this stuff and learn something in the process.
OL

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I remember when we were free!

Hi oneal: I think there's a little confusion developing on this thread.

Let's be clear. As you say, the neck should fit the body fine. All Fender neck heels and pockets are made to the same depth and width spec and should be interchangeable.

The spacing at the nut depends on the way the slots are cut in the individual nut. That can be influenced but is not determined by the width of the neck at the nut. You can have whatever string spacing you like at the nut, so long as you cut it (or have it cut) to the dimensions you prefer.

The spacing at the bridge is the significant difference between MIA and MIM Strats. Fender always used a 2 7/32" string spacing at the bridge on their MIA Strats but a 2 1/16" spacing on their MIM and Squier models. The spacing of the six pivot screws follows that of the strings, and the consequence is that it is difficult to simply upgrade the hardware on a MIM or Squier to turn it into the "premium" US level instrument. The idea being that you have to go buy a new guitar instead when you want to move up.

(The caveat is that I'm not absolutely certain if MIMs still use that 2 1/16" spacing or if that has changed in recent years. Someone needs to enlighten us on that.)

So if you use a MIA neck and a MIM body with its original bridge you will have a narrower string spacing at the picking end. It is hard work to change that because it involves filling and redrilling the mounting holes for a new wider US spec bridge, which in turn spoils the finish in that area of the instrument. And the finish, after all, is what your project is all about.

Personally, I'd stay with the type of bridge that came with the body but consider upgrading the block and saddles. People have things to say for and against Callaham parts, but I'd suggest this is one case where their stuff is justified: they do a nice upgrade kit for Mexican bridges.

However, be aware you won't be able to widen the string spacing this way. That is fixed by the bridge plate: nuttin' you can do about that, far as I am aware. Anyhow, here's the page, if it's useful. Scroll down to "Limited Production Callaham Narrow Strat Bridge Assemblies":

http://www.callahamguitars.com/partsstr.htm

Other makers' blocks are also available, and a choice of many saddles is to be found, so long as you are careful to shop for the correct spacing for your bridge plate.

Does any of that help?

Cheers - C

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Ceri, in your reply above, you said "Personally, I'd stay with the type of bridge that came with the body but consider upgrading the block and saddles. People have things to say for and against Callaham parts, but I'd suggest this is one case where their stuff is justified: they do a nice upgrade kit for Mexican bridges."

I know there's a lot of controversy about whether the Callaham upgrades are "snake oil" or basically overkill performance-wise. I'm modding a standard MIM Strat and one of my concerns is the bridge/trem assy since I plan to use the whammy bar frequently (surf guitar stuff). In your opinion, can the standard bridge/trem assy on a standard MIM Strats be set up so that the guitar stays in tune with whammy bar use? If not, would the Callaham replacement be a solution? It looks like the Callaham stuff is higher quality in terms of materials and machining but does that really contribute to stability? I'm not even gonna get into the effect on tone and sustain... I'm just focusing on the stabillity aspect...

Every time I try and post a reply to oldguy's question I get the "sorry, we are experiencing technical difficulties" page. But only on this thread. What the...?

Testing, testing...

Cheers - C

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...Well that worked, but my actual post won't.

It contains no rude words, no troublesome code. What gives, man?

Huh. I'll try PMing you, oldguy. How insanely tiresome this sometimes is!

Cheers - C

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American Standard/Deluxe bridge string spacing is 54mm on the bridges in my house.
American Vintage is 56mm
Mexican/Squier is 52mm

It's a lot better without fractions.

In all honesty, I notice string spacing at the bridge differences far more than I do differences at the nut end.

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No no and no

so your saying that a 6 screw type bridge have different widths.?
not talking about the 2 post type trem bridge.
and not sure about other MIM's but i wouldn't change a thing on mine,
I do not use the trem, and have the noiseless vintage pups,
i play live and in the studio, and see nothing wrong with the guitar at all.
and this guitar stays in tune for days, and i play very aggressively.
I did replace the neck and added new tuners, but that was feel thing,
i can see changing pups, but to change everything on the guitar to try and make it the same as an MIA is a waste of money IMO.

_________________
1986 Kramer Baretta
1989 Samick "The Samick" Les Paul
2007 Fender Strat MIM Deluxe / 1985 MIJ neck
1990 Epiphone Strat
Marshall JCM 2000 DLS 50 watt / Marshall 1960a 4x12

https://soundcloud.com/jim-slimjim-cassi