Contoured heel and neck screws?

[aguyinaustintx]

The Anderson neck looks like a good idea, but it's definitely not Fender neck compatible. It's machine screws look about level from the photograph, which would be easy to pull off since they are countersunk. So maybe a good approach for a contoured heel is to omit the neck plate, countersink and install ferrules. This would allow the machine screws to be perfectly square. Although a strong neck plate theoretically makes for a stronger joint, I wonder if it makes any practical difference.

 

[stratamania]

Yes, the Anderson and Fender style necks are definitely not compatible.

I have a bass that has neck screws and ferrules, very stable. Also, I have had a couple of Ibanez over the years with a similar setup. I think these types of neck joints work very well.

 

[bagman67]

Just to assist in the analysis, here are photos of an anderson neck and pocket:


Neck:

Pocket:

 

[Last Triumph]

Just for the record, I removed the inserts, dowelled the holes, used standard screws in the same gold as the neck plate and the effect is hugely reduced.

I think main problem was that the countersink head on the machine screws didn't match the profile of the neck plate very well so they didn't seat properly, nor did the colour match help matters - stainless on gold.

It now looks absolutely fine and yes, if you look closely you can see the slight angle, but it's perfectly within reasonable cosmetic compromise and expectations, where previously it was a real eyesore.

It is now, after 6 years, finally complete and the guitar I always wanted....

apart from my next build....

 

[BigSteve22]

Good to see you found an acceptable solution. Congrats on completing your new axe!  :headbang:

 

[Strat Avenger]

I don't know why Warmoth doesn't offer the Fender Deluxe contoured heel. After all, they're licensed by Fender.
I do my own, but that means I can't buy finished bodies from the showcase.
I know they won't work with the Pro neck, but a lot of people buy the Vintage Modern necks.

 

[rauchman]

I don't know why Warmoth doesn't offer the Fender Deluxe contoured heel. After all, they're licensed by Fender.
I do my own, but that means I can't buy finished bodies from the showcase.
I know they won't work with the Pro neck, but a lot of people buy the Vintage Modern necks.

Preferably (rather, should say ….my preference), the Elite contoured heel.

 

[Strat Avenger]

I don't know why Warmoth doesn't offer the Fender Deluxe contoured heel. After all, they're licensed by Fender.
I do my own, but that means I can't buy finished bodies from the showcase.
I know they won't work with the Pro neck, but a lot of people buy the Vintage Modern necks.

Preferably (rather, should say ….my preference), the Elite contoured heel.

Both the Deluxe and the Elite are better than what Warmoth offers now, unless you have the Pro neck.

 

[aarontunes]

I don't know why Warmoth doesn't offer the Fender Deluxe contoured heel. After all, they're licensed by Fender.
I do my own, but that means I can't buy finished bodies from the showcase.
I know they won't work with the Pro neck, but a lot of people buy the Vintage Modern necks.

I hear what you're saying. I really do. I would prefer a more sculpted heel too.

The challenge that Warmoth faces is the extra layer of complexity created by introducing such a fundamental variable. Right now pretty much our entire biz is centered around adhering to Fender's vintage/original USA heel specs. We already spend a massive amount of time and money, on a pretty much a perpetual basis, educating people on that. If you throw another option in there, you have to spend thousands and thousands more dollars educating people on that. And no matter how much you spend, people will still get it wrong, won't read, or won't heed...and Warmoth will be expected to eat those mistakes.

Hanging around this and other guitar forums makes it easy to overestimate the average level of guitar-building knowledge and ability.