Question about 3 bolt compatibility with 80's MIJ strat (with pics)

[billy]

Hey hoping someone can help me out here, I am trying to figure out if the 3 bolt vintage modern will be fully compatible with my MIJ 80's strat I have no idea if its 'vintage specs' or not.


Thanks

 

[stratamania]

Can you post a pic of the other side of the neck. Is it 21 or 22 frets?

If 21 frets it may be compatible, else if 22 it would not be.

Check dimensions etc here...

https://warmoth.com/guitar-neck-fit

 

[billy]

its 21 frets, the replacement would be 22, the page you pointed to doesn't really answer my question directly

 

[DuckBaloo]

Bolt up right out of the box? The short answer is NO. The American 3-bolt is actually two wood screws, plus a machine bolt to goes through two dedicated metal disks mounted in both the neck and the body. The neck disk is what the micro-tilt screw presses against and the bolt allowed for a better mechanical tighten after the micro-tilt was set. The MIJ 30-bolt is three wood screws, the middle wood screw isn't as secure (people mess that screw up by trying to use the micro-tilt under tension).

But if you abandon the micro-tilt, you may be able to buy an undrilled Warmoth neck and drill it for the 3 wood screws. Do note that not all MIJ/CIJ Fenders used the vintage-spec Fender neck pocket...2-3/16" * 3" * 5/8", so you want to confirm that. You could also install the micro-tile insert, but then you ware getting into the need for a drill press, may be easier to just sjhim if needed.

 

[stratamania]

Bolt up right out of the box? The short answer is NO.

Not quite.

Actually Vintage Modern can be ordered in the custom options with 3 Bolt Micro Tilt under mounting holes.

https://warmoth.com/guitar-neck-mounting-holes

Back to the OP if your original neck is 21 fret and not 22 frets without an overhang there is a good chance that a Warmoth Vintage Modern will fit if ordered as custom with a 3 Bolt Micro Tilt mounting holes. You would need to provide the 3 bolt mounting hardware. A 22 fret Warmoth neck fits has the 22nd fret on an overhang. You now need to measure the width of the heel of your neck and see if it complies to vintage specs.

Note that I am saying you have a very good chance of it working but it is a case of caveat emptor and not to be taken as an absolute affirmative.

 

[DuckBaloo]

Not quite.

Actually Vintage Modern can be ordered in the custom options with 3 Bolt Micro Tilt under mounting holes.

But as Inpointed out the American 3-bolt offered used by Warmoth is NOT compatible with the Japanese setup. The US Fenders used a machine bolt and insert, MIJ uses wood screws. Starting with a Warmoth 3-bolt heel would actually make it harder.

Better to start with an undrilled neck and drill them oneself.

 

[stratamania]

Not quite.

Actually Vintage Modern can be ordered in the custom options with 3 Bolt Micro Tilt under mounting holes.

But as Inpointed out the American 3-bolt offered used by Warmoth is NOT compatible with the Japanese setup. The US Fenders used a machine bolt and insert, MIJ uses wood screws. Starting with a Warmoth 3-bolt heel would actually make it harder.

Better to start with an undrilled neck and drill them oneself.

Ah, you are right. Now I look closer it does not appear to be a built in machine bolt micro tilt mechanism, so perhaps a neck without holes may be better. The metal part on the Japanese looks as it is for a separate micro adjustment.