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Post subject: Thickness of Telecaster Neck
Posted: Sun Jul 14, 2019 2:31 am
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Hi All, My first post on this site. I am down in Australia and just about finished making a Telecaster. I purchased the neck fully completed, frets and lovely finish, neck made from American Rock Maple, very nice. I made the body from Australian Red Cedar, lovely timber down here. My concern is,...….the neck cavity is 16mm deep, which I believe is correct.

However when I install the neck it appears too high. The thickness of the neck at the heel end from bottom to top of fretboard (centre of fretboard) is 27mm. From what I can ascertain it should be 25mm.

I don't want my saddles sitting way up high and hence my pickups high also. I am thinking I have to deepen the neck cavity by another 2mm. I am really surprised that the neck which was obviously factory made just seems to thick at the heel end.

Any comments would be appreciated

Paul, Australia


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Post subject: Re: Thickness of Telecaster Neck
Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2019 1:34 am
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That seems a bit high, but then again some (e.g. Roy Buchanan...) considered (very) high saddles to be good for the sound...
And I've met pretty many 26 mm necks, so that would make it only 1mm too high. I might let it be, unless you have a 22 fret neck and the overhang sits uncomfortably high.

But if you choose differently, it shouldn't be too difficult to reroute the neck pocket if you were able to produce the body. Another chance is of course to shave the neck bottom - e.g. how thick is the finish there..?
Shimming is also one option, but since you DIY, I understand it might feel wrong. :wink:


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Post subject: Re: Thickness of Telecaster Neck
Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2019 2:16 am
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I am assuming the neck wasn't a Fender replacement neck, in which case it could be anything.

It could be that the neck manufacturer deliberately makes their necks thicker to provide material for you to taper the neck heel so you don't need to shim. Or it could be their tolerances aren't up to much.

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After all this time I should be better.


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Post subject: Re: Thickness of Telecaster Neck
Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2019 2:29 am
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Some makers make a comment that all Fenders don't comply with the specs... :twisted: https://aperioguitar.com/what-you-dont- ... nd-should/

But in general, in my experience, licenced makers make necks which don't require any more fitting than the originals.


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Post subject: Re: Thickness of Telecaster Neck
Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2019 11:36 pm
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Hi and thanks fellows, I found your responses most informative, particularly that link also. Today I took my neck cavity down an extra 3mm. I started with 2mm, and thought it was still a tad high, so took it down an extra mm. When it is all finished if any fine tuning is needed I'll do that then.

I'm now up to sanding the body and I intend to use a Wipe On Poly finish and then maybe a buffing polish on top of that. I did buy a can of semi gloss lacquer spray and tested it on a sanded offcut. It seemed to be a flat dullish finish, and I wanted a "wow" look.

Any other suggestions, as I wont be near a city to buy the WOP till end of next week.

Thanks again, Paul


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Post subject: Re: Thickness of Telecaster Neck
Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2019 4:02 pm
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Hi Paul, it'd be good to have some photos of the build.

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Post subject: Re: Thickness of Telecaster Neck
Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2019 5:57 pm
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Location: Coastal Bend, Tx.
Quote:
I made the body from Australian Red Cedar, lovely timber down here.


It would be a shame to cover up a fine wood specimen, IMHO. Have you considered Tru-Oil or Tung Oil?
Here's all you need to know about Tru Oil, If I make another guitar it will be finished like this.
https://www.westfarthingwoodworks.com/how-to-finish-wood-with-tru-oil/
MY .02, is sand to 440 or a little higher maybe 600 max before applying finish
After all the coats to your satisfaction are on and dry/cured(7-14 days depending on conditions) wet sand from 800-1200 very lightly
Apply polish of your choice and buff


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Post subject: Re: Thickness of Telecaster Neck
Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2019 9:56 pm
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Hi and thanks for those tips. This is actually the 11th guitar I have made. I am telling a bit of a fib there. The first 10 guitars I made all those from scratch, every part of them. I thought that's it, 10 is enough, no more. Two of my grandsons scored 1 each, oldest son got one. I swapped another two to a bloke for an acoustic (which I later sold). Of those 10 guitars 9 were solid body electrics, one was an acoustic.

Anyway recently I went to a wood expo, possibly the largest one in Australia, and got talking to chap who was a fine instrument maker, a keen woodwork and also an entertainer. He had these necks that he was buying in, made from American Rock Maple, I thought wow, these are beautiful necks. I had since sold my plunge router and he was telling me about his overhead router system. So I got him to cut me a body from Australian Red Cedar. So this is the story on this particular guitar.

I have used Tru Oil before on a previous build. I cant use Tung oil as my wife has a lot of allergies, and that stuff is deadly for her. I really don't like the smell of it either.

So I am finishing this with Wipe On Poly (making it myself).

I'll do a couple of pics directly.

Thanks again
Paul


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