Neck pocket not deep enough for Fender neck

[BlueAttitude]

Guys, I have a problem which hopefully someone else has come across before!

I recently bought a strat body which I have added a neck from a '94 American Standard strat. Problem is the neck pocket is not deep enough, meaning the action is way too low. By adjusting the bridge screws almost all the way out I can make it work, but with that much angle over the bridge pieces it just doesn't "feel" right, plus I imagine strings will break much sooner.

I thought maybe they made a mistake when they cut the bridge pocket, but it is exactly 5/8", which is supposed to be Fender Standard. However when I measure the pocket in the Fender body I took the neck from it is deeper, at least 11/16" deep, maybe a bit more.

Any thoughts on how to fix without losing tone/sustain? I don't know much about woodworking, is it possible to remove 1/16" of wood from the pocket without messing up the body?

 

[stratamania]

Have you tried putting a shim in the pocket ?

 

[BlueAttitude]

Have you tried putting a shim in the pocket ?

Problem is the pocket is not deep enough, adding a shim would make it worse.
Or do you mean putting a shim at one end to tilt the neck forward? That would probably work, but wouldn't that reduce the sustain because the neck will no longer be in solid contact with the body? (I've never used a neck shim before)

 

[rgand]

You could try a shim and see if it hurts the sustain any. You can always take the shim back out if it's a bust. Outside that, I think you're looking at some woodworking to make it fit better.

 

[TBurst Std]

Ahhh. Yes 5/8 is Std. Before CNC I am certain over and under spec parts were sorted together to make some usable. Even with CNC now, I'd be surprised if the same thing didn't happen. The fact is you have an angle issue, and it appears your neck is out of spec.

You have 3 options:
Bring the neck into spec
Shim the neck to get the correct angle
Get a new neck

Of those options, shimming is the least obtrusive. It won't fix the overall issue, but it will allow you to get the proper angle. Other adjustments would still need to be made.

If you know a serious wood worker, could they shave the neck heel?

Get a new neck.

 

[mayfly]

If we're sure that the neck is out of spec, I'd fix that first.  Besides, talking a little of the neck heel is a LOT easier than re-routing a neck pocket.

 

[BlueAttitude]

I just saw in another post here someone mentioned this bridge which looks like it would also fix my problem because the plate is quite a bit thicker than the standard Fender bridge: https://store.hipshotproducts.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=166

Anyway, I have a few options to think about now, thanks for the replies everyone

 

[Fat Pete]

Or, put the neck back on the original body, sell that complete guitar and buy a Warmoth neck.

 

[stratamania]

Have you tried putting a shim in the pocket ?

Problem is the pocket is not deep enough, adding a shim would make it worse.
Or do you mean putting a shim at one end to tilt the neck forward? That would probably work, but wouldn't that reduce the sustain because the neck will no longer be in solid contact with the body? (I've never used a neck shim before)

Yes that's what I meant but as others have said if the neck is off spec that may be worth sorting out first.

Shims have been used for a long time on bolt on guitars. With regards to sustain it will depend on how good or otherwise the shim is.

 

[bbl4ck]

If you end up going the shim route, I would consider these from Stewmac:

http://www.stewmac.com/Materials_and_Supplies/Bodies_and_Necks_and_Wood/Electric_Guitar_Bodies_and_Necks_and_Wood/Electric_Guitar_Necks/StewMac_Neck_Shims_for_Guitar.html

Good luck and keep us posted as to what ends up working...

 

[BlueAttitude]

If you end up going the shim route, I would consider these from Stewmac:

http://www.stewmac.com/Materials_and_Supplies/Bodies_and_Necks_and_Wood/Electric_Guitar_Bodies_and_Necks_and_Wood/Electric_Guitar_Necks/StewMac_Neck_Shims_for_Guitar.html

Good luck and keep us posted as to what ends up working...

Oh, I like the look of those! They would certainly keep a solid connection between the neck and body.
Thanks for the tip!

 

[Steve_Karl]

Or, put the neck back on the original body, sell that complete guitar and buy a Warmoth neck.

That would be my vote.

 

[vetteman]

I ended up with an angle issue on one of my builds and as the neck was unfinished Canary wood I simply sanded down the heel end to get a good fit and put the saddles down where they need to be.  Used some 3M Stick-it sandpaper (from a local auto body shop) stuck to my kitchen countertop (while my wife wasn't looking) and carefully took some off the heel.  I recall taping something to the neck to help set the angle, but you have to be careful to not 'rock' the neck in any way.  A little redneck, I know, but it worked.

 

[BlueAttitude]

I ended up with an angle issue on one of my builds and as the neck was unfinished Canary wood I simply sanded down the heel end to get a good fit and put the saddles down where they need to be.  Used some 3M Stick-it sandpaper (from a local auto body shop) stuck to my kitchen countertop (while my wife wasn't looking) and carefully took some off the heel.  I recall taping something to the neck to help set the angle, but you have to be careful to not 'rock' the neck in any way.  A little redneck, I know, but it worked.

I ordered a set of neck shims from stewmac, going to try that first before doing anything more drastic. They haven't arrived yet, must be stuck in customs (I'm in Canada). Hopefully net week!
Nice car BTW, TR4? I used to own a TR6.

 

[vetteman]

WAY off the original topic, but you asked!  It's a '67 TR4A with a Chevy 350 in it, backed by a close ratio Muncie 4 speed.  Had it out earlier today, suspension design has come a looooooooong way since the 60's.  Too many brick streets and railroad tracks .

 

[pcxxx]

Old thread I know but...
I recently bought a Strat neck and body from Warmoth. The bridge I bought is a Callaham trem.
I have decked the bridge.
My issue has been the same ie neck sits way too high and as a result the saddles are maxed out and the action is unplayable, too low.
Using a 0.5mm shim at the neck end of the pocket does help. However, this is a 'band aid' solution.
All measurements are correct, the neck is right, the body neck pocket is right and the bridge is right. The end result is not, 1 + 1 + 1 = 3.5!

Re Stewmacs shims; the pre cut and drilled shims are not reversible as the neck pocket is slightly tapered but they sell 'blanks' to tailor. Pity the don' make the reversible option as reading the reviews on the shims there is plenty of demand for shimming the neck end of the pocket.

Pity Warmoth won't do custom pocket depth or sell me a 720 mod top rout strat.

 

[stratamania]

Also, check you do not have any finish in the neck pocket that could be causing the neck not to seat fully.

 

[BroccoliRob]

is the the callaham a vintage bridge with the six screws? i don't think those are "supposed" to be decked. I usually see them with a little 'lift' on the back.

 

[Cagey]

Re Stewmacs shims; the pre cut and drilled shims are not reversible as the neck pocket is slightly tapered but they sell 'blanks' to tailor. Pity the don' make the reversible option as reading the reviews on the shims there is plenty of demand for shimming the neck end of the pocket.

Not sure what you mean by "reversible", but these will give you a nice predictable angle in whichever way you need to go, but you have to do your own drilling and corner adjustments for fitment.

They're kinda pricey for what they are, but hey - if they work, they work. Tough to argue with success.