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Each Fender model has a specified nut width; some wider, and some narrower. For example, all Fender Standard Strats (made in Mexico) have the same nut width. All made in America Standard Strats have the same nut width, which is slightly wider than the Mexican Standards. There were some Mexican Deluxe models that had the same nut width as the American Standards. Fender's website lists the specs of each model. It is possible that due to cutting and sanding of the necks there might be a tiny, tiny, difference; barely measurable. But no, Fender does not offer different nut widths on the same model. You can't buy an American Standard Strat that has the nut width of the Mexican Standard. Just like with the nut width, different models may also have different sized bridges and string spacing. There is no choice for the customer; you get what they make. Although, Fender would be happy to have their Custom Shop build whatever you want, but you'll pay a lot more than buying a production model guitar.

The solution would be to play different models with different nut widths and find the one you like. If it doesn't have other features that you want, then you could always buy parts separately and put them together, such as putting a Mexican Standard neck on an American Standard body or whatever.

Special Runs are normally models made in limited number. Colors, pick-up configurations, or other cosmetic changes are made, but the basic specs such as nut width stay the same as the regular model.

Thanks, Think Floyd. Outstanding answer/response.
I have several "Fender" Strats. And several Warmoth Strats.

Question. You stated all models will have the same Nut width.
Will all models be consistant with regards to the fretboard radius?
And to the back side neck deminsions?

PLMK. Thanks. Toppscore

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Within a model this should be consistent with regard to fingerboard radius. Most modern-style Fenders will have a 9.5" radius and most reissues will have a 7.25" radius. Again - from all our other discussions these are just "rules of thumb" for the current Fender lineup. For example, the current-spec American Deluxes have a compound radius that runs from 9.5" up by the nut to 14" below the 12th fret - and the Fender Select series has that same type neck.

The neck shapes are generally pretty consistent - however, if I'm remembering correctly from picking them up over the years some time in the early 1990s the necks on American Standards, Strat Plus/Plus Deluxe/Ultras might have gotten a bit thicker. Maybe memory is failing, but I remember the early ones (at least the 80s models) as haveing a fairly thin neck. It could just be that there was more variance back then then there is now and I just happened to grab some with thinner necks.

Also the neck specs can change when a model changes - for example, the USA reissues also had fairly thin necks best described as a "small-shouldered C" shape in the beginning, and both the '57 and '62 had the same neck shape. This shape was used for the two years that CBS was still in charge (1982-1984) and was the shape FMIC used when these went back into production in late 1985. In 1998 Fender revamped the American Vintage series and changed the '57's neck to a more correct V-shape (and they made the '62's neck a bit more of a full "C"). Interestingly enough that original thin "small shouldered C" shape is what David Gimour prefers and is what they use on his CS Signature models.

That being said, you will find that the neck on a 1998 AV '57 Strat is going to be pretty consistent with the neck on a 2012 AV '57 Strat - however, the post-1998 necks will be different than the necka found on a 1984 or a 1987 USA '57 Reissue Strat (but the 1984 and the 1987 will be very similar).

Thanks, John C.
Never gave it a thought. Just picked up and played.
But, some were harder on my wrist and thumb joints.

Basically, what I am understanding within this thread,
is that once a "Fender" production run starts, all the necks,
nuts and fretboards will be the same dimensions.

The exceptions will be special orders, custom shop orders.

Thanks again. Toppscore

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Neck thickness is probably the only spec that can vary from guitar to guitar. Two exact same model guitars can have the same nut width, radius, string spacing and neck shape, but could have different neck thicknesses. I assume that one batch of necks would be similar, but the next batch cut could end up being thicker or thinner for a number of reasons.

I experienced a perfect example of this a few years ago. I was checking out Epiphone Sheratons, and tried them at 2 local stores. (BTW, these 2 stores were part of a 3 store chain.) At one store, every Sheraton felt uncomfortable because the necks were too thin. At the other store every neck was too thick. These were all brand new guitars. Weird!

I could never buy a guitar on-line for this reason. I don't want the hassle of returning a guitar because the neck was too thick/thin, even though I played the exact same model locally and it felt perfect.

Hello Toppscore: it is right that this thread is settling down to talk about neck thickness, because width at the nut varies comparatively little and the string spread can be changed simply by cutting a new nut. Whereas the thickness (front to back) of the neck and the shape of its carve vary by a large amount and have a major impact on how the neck feels in the player's hands.

Aside from classical guitars, nearly all guitars are around 42-43 mm wide at the nut (give or take). However, I have a Telecaster which is nearly 23 mm thick at the first fret rising hardly at all to 24 mm at the 12th and with a very round "baseball bat" carve to it. Whereas I also have an American Strat which is just over 21 mm at the first rising steeply to 25 mm at the 12th and with a much flatter C-shape carve. Those necks feel amazingly different, although they both have a 42.5 mm wide nut.

Some Teles have even thicker necks than mine, while many Ibanez guitars built for shredder type playing have even thinner necks than my US Strat.

So thickness and shape are the most important things to consider - though you will never see thickness quoted on a manufacturer's list of specs, probably because it is too difficult to control very precisely, depending how heavy-handed the guy on the sanding machine is the day the neck is made.

Some thoughts.

Cheers - C

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Thanks, Ceri. So, neck thickness is not advertised for the reason of inconsistency.
Good to know. Man, am I going to give my guitars are run through the mill.
Get the feeling with awareness.

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