Guitar Nut width question

[WindsurfMaui]

OK I need a ruling on what is the nut width of my new Warmoth Strat neck. I love Warmoth products and general have no complaints but I am confused on what is the width of my new Warmoth neck. I ordered this 1 11/16 sized Vintage Modern neck a few weeks ago and was very happy when I took it out of the box. It looks and feels great. But i wasn't ready to set it up yet so I just put it back in it's shipping box. Friday my Stew-Mac Tuning machine hole jig arrived and I started to think about setting up the neck so I could attach it to a Strat guitar body I own. I put a ruler up against the nut and it seems to be saying the width of the nut is 1 5/8. But on the heel the markings say 1.69 inches. So I can't tell if I am measuring wrong or if the neck was marked incorrectly. In most thing I wouldn't worry about 1/16 of an inch however if Warmoth is selling necks by the 16th then I expect it to be accurate. So look at these photos and tell me if I have it wrong.

 

[timezon3]

I think the 1.692 is the weight (in pounds) of the neck.  Not sure what to say on the nut width.

TZ

 

[Fat Pete]

I'm pretty sure it is the nut width handwritten on the heel. I'd be very surprised to see an inaccurate measurement there as it's obviously done after sanding etc. to confirm that the individual neck is to spec. It's hard to measure a curved surface with a straight rule without getting a parallax effect - and impossible to tell from a photo.

Obviously mistakes can happen, but if you're concerned I'd check it with some digital callipers like these before you start packing it up for return:

They're cheap and very useful things to have.

 

[stratamania]

I think the 1.692 is the weight (in pounds) of the neck.  Not sure what to say on the nut width.

TZ

It is the width. 1.625 would be 1 5/8 and 1.6875 would be 1 11/16. There probably is a degree of tolerance for sanding. But 1.692 is close to 1.6875.

 

[aarontunes]

It is the width. 1.625 would be 1 5/8 and 1.6875 would be 1 11/16. There probably is a degree of tolerance for sanding. But 1.692 is close to 1.6875.

This is correct.
The weight of necks is never recorded.

 

[WindsurfMaui]

I assumed the number on the heel is Warmoth measurement of the nut width. But I can't explain the difference between their number and what I see on the ruler. The ruler is from Stew-Mac so I assume it is quite accurate.  Has anyone experienced a width mistake from Warmoth in the past? Is this a common issue? Does anyone know what the orange dot on the heel means? It is a beautiful neck and I'm hesitant to return it even if it is the wrong width. I admit I know nothing about wood but I liked the parallel grain pattern which is why I selected it. Thanks for the help.

 

[aarontunes]

The dot on the heel indicates that it received a factory finish.
I can't explain the apparent different between the width that is written on the heel, and what I'm seeing in the photo with your ruler. There is always some variance due to sanding, but it shouldn't be that much. A caliper would be the most accurate way to measure the nut width, and as mentioned already....they are super useful tools to have around, and not that expensive.
We generally don't discuss the specifics of people's orders openly on internet forums, but if you decide you want individual help with this please contact our customer service team.

 

[WindsurfMaui]

Double AA thanks for the help.

 

[stratamania]

It looks and feels great.

Is this not the most important thing?