Fender neck pocket too shallow?

[Sorbz62]

I have had a Fender body with Warmoth neck for a few years, played well with a low action.

I have just bought another Fender body which seems to have a similar neck pocket depth but, and this is strange, I cannot get the action HIGH enough. The strings are all fretted out and the bridge is set mega high!  What do I have to do to get a nice action with this body? 

Cheers,
Jim

 

[Cagey]

It sounds like you may have an angled pocket on that body. The depth should be 5/8" (.625") everywhere in the pocket. If it gets deeper toward the head end, it's angled and you'll have the problem you do.

Angled pockets are usually used on carved-top bodies, or where you'd use an unusually high bridge like a Tune-O-Matic.

 

[Sorbz62]

The funny hing is that it is a Fender Strat body - normal, flat top etc???

 

[AutoBat]

I thought the same thing when I first put on my W neck.  Turns out I didn't press down on the neck well enough when I was putting the screws in.  I loosened them up, seated it well, retightened and it was magic.
You can get the neck surprisingly stable and still not have it flush in the pocket.  It's possible you may need to sand your pocket a bit because they're not always made to the exacting standards as W, especially if it's an older model.

 

[Cagey]

The funny hing is that it is a Fender Strat body - normal, flat top etc???

Right. Well, don't let that fool you. Don't make assumptions; measure it.

Also, Autobat's suggestion is good, too. Fender parts aren't always as faithful to the Fender design specification as Warmoth's are, so the neck may be sitting a bit proud.

 

[JaySwear]

+3 on pushing the neck down. Had that problem on one build I did. I freaked out a little, took the neck off, pushed it down fully, and it was fine. Hope the fix is that easy for you!

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

I have an early 90s MIJ Strat.  It originally had a non-recessed locking trem.  I retrofitted a 6 hole trem on it.  Long story short, I shimmed the middle four string saddles because of an angled neck pocket.

 

[AprioriMark]

I've encountered this issue on many Fenders; usually MiM or MiA.  The Warmoth Pro necks require jacking the saddles up pretty darned high.  I actually also noticed this with a Warmoth Pro neck and an older Warmoth strat body.  I actually enjoy the extra clearance for aggressive strumming and offbeat ska stuff.

-Mark