custom aftermarket neck, options?

[Selsaral]

I am pondering building a parts guitar. I need the neck to have a 1.65" nut width like on a MIM Fender, but it appears that places like Warmoth simply don't offer that at all. Only musikraft will do that. But musikraft will only do nitro finishes, no urethane? I also don't want the 10-16 compound radius on a Warmoth. 9.5-12 would be the only compound radius that I am interested in.

 

Does anyone have experience with this?

[Ratae Corieltauvorum]

 

I am pondering building a parts guitar. I need the neck to have a 1.65" nut width like on a MIM Fender, but it appears that places like Warmoth simply don't offer that at all. ?

 

 

That's about 42mm, why would 43 be so bad? Warmoth do 1 5/8 and 1 11/16, your hand won't know the difference, just your head

[Selsaral]

 

That's about 42mm, why would 43 be so bad? Warmoth do 1 5/8 and 1 11/16, your hand won't know the difference, just your head

 

 

Actually I have a Fender american strat with the 1.685" and two MIMs with the 1.65" and I notice it immediately. I've spent some time trying to figure out if it's just the fact that I play the MIMs more and I am concluding I flat-out prefer the 1.65". It's on bar chords that I notice it.

 

Trust me, I wish I didn't prefer the 1.65", cause it's seriously limiting my options. Other than this little detail, Warmoth does everything I want, and I want to get the body from them too.

[Robert Kortus]

Also, Warmoth offers necks without compound radius fretboards.

[Selsaral]

 

Also, Warmoth offers necks without compound radius fretboards.

 

 

True, and if I went with Warmoth I'd do a 9.5. But I'd love a particular compound radius and they only offer 10-16. Do they not advertise other options, or they flat-out won't do them?

[Badside]

 

Actually I have a Fender american strat with the 1.685" and two MIMs with the 1.65" and I notice it immediately. I've spent some time trying to figure out if it's just the fact that I play the MIMs more and I am concluding I flat-out prefer the 1.65". It's on bar chords that I notice it. Trust me, I wish I didn't prefer the 1.65", cause it's seriously limiting my options. Other than this little detail, Warmoth does everything I want, and I want to get the body from them too.

 

 

Seriously, I doubt this is the only reason it feels different. Is it possible they have different radius? What about the back profile?

 

By the way, Mighty Mite makes 9.5-12" compound radius necks. Of course, they are not on the same level as Warmoth/Musikraft, but they come already finished and with a slotted nut. Low-risk investment for a first project.

 

By the way, there's Usa Custom Guitars too, but they're not Fender licensed so the headstock shape is slightly different.

[Selsaral]

 

Seriously, I doubt this is the only reason it feels different. Is it possible they have different radius? What about the back profile?

 

 

Same radius, 9.5. Very similar neck profiles. My Samick Greg Bennet has a completely different neck profile, and a 12" radius, but the nut width is 1.65" and I feel the same bar chord comfort. I've spent a year messing with this and I am forced to conclude that this is the factor.

 

Maybe it's time to spend a month trying to bond again with my Fender American Strat to absolutely, 100% sure I can't cope with the 1.685"?

 

 

By the way, Mighty Mite makes 9.5-12" compound radius necks. Of course, they are not on the same level as Warmoth/Musikraft, but they come already finished and with a slotted nut. Low-risk investment for a first project.

 

 

Yeah I was looking at them too, and that's the compound radius I wanted. But my building skills are low, so I need the parts to be really good, including the finish and fretwork.

 

 

By the way, there's Usa Custom Guitars too, but they're not Fender licensed so the headstock shape is slightly different.

 

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I am actually not too attached to headstock shape, but I would prefer the licensed shape.

[Belva]

USACG offers the 1.65. They also don't charge xtra for a straight radius like Whoremouth. Plus Tommy will work with you so you get what you want. Whoremouth has terrible customer service in that respect. Be prepared to do your own nuts:facepalm: as Tommy doesn't. I prefer doing my own nuts anyway. Been doing them since I was about 10 years old.

[Orange Jackson]

Be prepared to do your own nuts:facepalm: as Tommy doesn't. I prefer doing my own nuts anyway. Been doing them since I was about 10 years old.

 

I agree that warmoth does a very poor job with installing nuts. Basically they glue a stock nut into your new neck, no fitting. This means that you have to pop it out and make it fit right, that is if you want your new neck to play well.

 

First Act and Yamaha can place a perfectly cut nut into there lowest end guitars, it's a wonder why warmoth can't do the same.

[Selsaral]

USACG offers the 1.65. They also don't charge xtra for a straight radius like Whoremouth. Plus Tommy will work with you so you get what you want. Whoremouth has terrible customer service in that respect. Be prepared to do your own nuts:facepalm: as Tommy doesn't. I prefer doing my own nuts anyway. Been doing them since I was about 10 years old.

 

Ah OK that's very helpful. They'll even do the other compound radii I like. 7.25-9.5 is sweet, and I am also interested in a 9.5-12.

 

But the nut factor alarms me. I thought that this was one of the advantages of Warmoth, so I am alarmed to hear they don't do a great job. A earvana nut was something I was thinking about. Either way I have no idea how to install or fit a nut.

 

I suppose I could find a tech I trust to do this for me.

 

Other than the nut, USACG has most of everything I want in a neck, including the 6105 SS frets and satin finish. Also they offer pretty much any neck contour which is great.

 

Sounds like you have experience with USACG and you like their products?

[d_dave_c]

I totally understand why you wouldn't want to go with Mighty Mite. Their necks are fine, but it sounds like you want more than just fine for this.

 

I have never used a USAGC neck, but it sounds like that would work. I have heard very good things about them.

 

The other place to try would be Guitar Mill. I have used their stuff, and it is top-knotch. Mario will make sure you get what you want.

[Selsaral]

 

I totally understand why you wouldn't want to go with Mighty Mite. Their necks are fine, but it sounds like you want more than just fine for this. I have never used a USAGC neck, but it sounds like that would work. I have heard very good things about them. The other place to try would be Guitar Mill. I have used their stuff, and it is top-knotch. Mario will make sure you get what you want.

 

 

Thanks for the advice. It's hard to tell if Mighty Mite is OK or not. Their website doesn't tell me anything about what they offer.

 

Guitar Mill looks cool but they don't offer many things I am looking for, such as a 1.65" nut width, stainless steel frets or urethane finishes.

[warriorpoet]

USACG necks are awesome.

 

 

Tommy is the man- he gets you EXACTLY what you want- down to the tiniest detail.

 

A closeup of that wenge/ ebony neck:

[Angry Tele]

USACG all the way.

[Belva]

Ah OK that's very helpful. They'll even do the other compound radii I like. 7.25-9.5 is sweet, and I am also interested in a 9.5-12. But the nut factor alarms me. I thought that this was one of the advantages of Warmoth, so I am alarmed to hear they don't do a great job. A earvana nut was something I was thinking about. Either way I have no idea how to install or fit a nut. I suppose I could find a tech I trust to do this for me. Other than the nut, USACG has most of everything I want in a neck, including the 6105 SS frets and satin finish. Also they offer pretty much any neck contour which is great. Sounds like you have experience with USACG and you like their products ?

 

Yes. I had questions about the contour. I already knew I wanted a 12" radius and 6130 frets. I took some measurements of the contours on 2 of the guitars I owned at that time and told him how I felt about each one. He made a recommendation that is perfect for me. I went back and got another neck with different woods but the same shape. Both feel the same and I now can't decide which my fave guitar is.Customer service and product quality are exemplary.

It will cost around 50 to 75 bucks to have a pro do your nut. The girls downtown charge $40 but that's a whole 'nother type of nut job!!:poke: A pre cut will need adjustments so I'd either learn to do your own or find a good tech.

BTW I don't recommend an Earvana nut. Too much neck mod for too little gain.