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Post subject: Replacing MIM Telecaster neck
Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2020 10:56 am
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Joined: Wed Jan 22, 2020 10:40 am
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Location: Glasgow UK
Hi, I own a MIM Fender Standard Telecaster, which dates from about 2002. It has a fairly deep maple neck and the really tiny 'vintage' frets.

My other newer guitar (Ibanez RG) has jumbo frets and a fairly thin flat neck, which I find much easier to play. I was wondering about replacing the neck on the Telecaster with a new one. I like the look of the roasted maple necks from the Fender parts store and would rather a genuine Fender neck than Warmoth or something. The 22 fret one has a thinner, flatter neck and jumbo frets but I have 21 frets currently so don't want to have to start moving the bridge forward or anything, so it looks like the 21 fret modern C with narrow tall frets is my best bet.

My two questions are, would this neck fit perfectly on my older model Telecaster? And is it worth upgrading it or would I be better leaving it as it is and thinking about changing to a whole new Telecaster in the future now that I'm more familiar with what kind of spec and feel I find more comfortable to play?

I'd be getting a local guy to swap it and set it up properly, along with upgrading the pickups.


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Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Replacing MIM Telecaster neck
Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2020 5:56 am
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Joined: Tue Oct 08, 2013 2:11 pm
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Location: Iowa, USA
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... ingerboard

$299.99 - 12" Radius- 22 Jumbo Frets- Modern C
Quote:
If you're not sure whether this neck is right for your specific guitar, call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer at (800) 222-4700 and we'll be happy to advise.

You decide if it's worth it. Personally, if the original neck doesn't need a re-fret, I'd leave it alone.
I prefer 9.5" radius on a C neck with Medium Jumbo frets...but I have guitars with 12" and 14" with C and D necks and varied fret sizes as well, and I can adjust to them when I play.
Everybody's different.


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Post subject: Re: Replacing MIM Telecaster neck
Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2020 11:44 am
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Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
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KingInYellow wrote:
The 22 fret one has a thinner, flatter neck and jumbo frets but I have 21 frets currently so don't want to have to start moving the bridge forward or anything

No need to move the bridge when changing from a 21 fret neck to a 22 fret neck; that extra fret is on a "lip"/overhang.

KingInYellow wrote:
would this neck fit perfectly on my older model Telecaster?

With the usual "minor fitting issues to be excpected" clause, Fender's same type necks are interchangeable.

KingInYellow wrote:
is it worth upgrading it or would I be better leaving it as it is and thinking about changing to a whole new Telecaster in the future now that I'm more familiar with what kind of spec and feel I find more comfortable to play?

I think you sort of answer your own question. Just think pricewise, a new neck (250) and new pickups (150<) plus the loco guy fees (?) vs. selling that guitar to buy a new dream Tele...


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Post subject: Re: Replacing MIM Telecaster neck
Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2020 1:17 am
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Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2015 6:57 am
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Location: UK
JM is on the money once again.

Fitting a new neck is no 10 minute job. If considering doing it yourself, and you don't have them, you need to budget another $50 to $100 ($=£) for a set of good nut files. The cheep ebay things are next to useless for anything other than clearing snot out of the grooves.

I am wondering what market Fender is aiming for with these. They are really very close to too expensive to consider fitting on a MiM. That said, on a good body, it could make an awesome guitar.

I also agree with the "play what you got" principal. I have a variety of necks and fret sizes on my guitars. I'll admit that I wouldn't consider any of them to be "perfect" and perhaps my view would change if I found such a beast.

I do find myself tempted by a roasted maple neck for my Fish Face custom body Partscaster, but then the neck is drilled for modern tuners which is less appealing.

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John

After all this time I should be better.


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