Thinking of getting this Neck from Musikraft.

[harkkam08]

I am trying to get the neck as accurate as possible to the 68 black fender that JImi was playing later on in his career, BOG, Wright, RAH etc.

This is what I've selected at Musikraft tell me if I got it right and thanks to ToneSlinger for his help in guiding me in the right direction.


Head Stock Orientation: Reverse for Right Handed Players
Head Shape: CBS Style
Scale: 25-1/2" Standard Fender
Number of Frets: 21 (Standard Fender)
Nut Width: 1-5/8"
Heel Width: Standard Fender 2-3/16"
Neck Wood: Rock Maple
Finger Board Wood: Rock Maple
Finger Board Style: Veneer Style .100 Thick +$35
Tuner Hole Size: Kluson 11/32"
Trussrod Option: Single Acting Adjust at Heel
Finger Board Radius: 7-1/4"
Finger Board Inlay Top: Black Phenolic
Finger Board Inlay Side Markers: Imatation Clay
12th Dot Spacing: Wide 1.035 Pre 1964 Style
Fret Size and Type: Vintage 6230 .080 X .043
Nut Style: Fender Style Flat Bottom
Back Profile Thickness @ the 1st and 12th Fret: Med C .83 to .92
Custom Up-Charges: None
Nut Installation Option: Slotted TUSQ Nut NATURAL +$35
Finish: Sealed with Shellac
Additional Options: Heavy Rolled Finger Board Edges + $15, Install Vintage Style Kluson Tuners + $69
Shipping Option/Delivery Signature Required: Signature Required (NO)
Comments Section: Let me know if there are any problems

[shakti]

I'm going to do exactly the same...eventually. For now a mid-90s Fender Japan ST67 is doing the work...

The only two things i can notice right away is that it should have F-style tuners, and the 12th fret markers shouldn't be pre-64 style, should they?

[harkkam08]

Im not sure about the tuners I dont know the difference between the F style and kluson and I dont think they even have that as a choice but yes the spacing should not be pre 64 thanks for catching that

[harkkam08]

Hey guys before I place this order Id like to know that I am a GO and if there was anything that appeared out of line.

Thanks guys. Im excited to slap this baby on my ask body strat. Which sooner or later will be changed to an alder.

Does nitro coating make a difference when it comes to the neck in regards to tone, and does it make a difference when it comes to the body?

The finishes are so damn expensive, I was thinking of just using some natural oils and just keeping it a natural wood color.

[garbeaj]

You can get replacement F-tuners from Fender...I would definitely go with those. Just tell Musikraft what you are trying to do and they will guide you for what you need as far as drilling the holes for the tuning machines you choose if you tell them what you are going to be using-same for the neck finish-if you are doing a realistic '68 it would have to be the glossy finish on the entire neck (I'm not sure if that is nitro or polyurethane or what-I'm no expert on finishes, but I do own an original 1968 maple neck strat...) BUT...Musikraft really know their shit and they can tell you what the most accurate finish is. As far as the expense of the neck finish-you are already buying a Musikraft neck which is expensive to begin with...I would recommend getting the best, most accurate finish that you can get:)

[Tone Slinger]

I agree, Garbeaj owns the REAL THING (mines a accurate relic, not the same ).

Shakti is right. You want the black fretboard dots (the ones on the top fretboard edge as you are looking down) he is also right about the 12th fret dots. these are the later 'CBS' style (they are closer togather than the pre CBS).

I would agree again that you want the F tuners (they have F on the backs of each tuner) I think the holes are a little bigger for these than the previous Kuision ones.If I'm not mistaken the holes are the same diameter as the mini Schallers . Regardless, make SURE about the tuning keys you are gonna use (Get the F's). Then get the hole size right.

If not sure, stick with the Klusion diameter. This is gonna be too small, but better too small than too big (its easy to take a round file and make the holes bigger).

I also agree about the finish on the neck and body (Originals had poly and nitro on the neck, though I'd go with straight nitro) . I can turn you on to a GREAT guitar 'finisher' who has very fair rates. He can TOTALLY nail the Woodstock strat (like he did on mine) I'll try again to get some pics up.

[Xplorer]

Oh ...i'd love to know about this great guitar finisher, for some bodys and neck paint/finish , nitro, custom. ( ? ) : )
it's allways so expensive .......

[harkkam08]

Hey guys, I went ahead and ordered it.

I stayed with the kluson tuners, it doesnt bother me that they are not the F style tuners anyway. I think klusons look cool and vintage with a square boxy look.

Would they affect tone in any way the tuners that is?

I also decided to stay with shellac only because even though I wanted nitro I was reading that its a toxic substance and even though it dries I just dont feel comfortable playing on a fretboard with nitro because I am always touching things my computer eating at the same time and playing my guitar.

Now will the shellac alone be a good finish or do I need to get poly put on it?

I also ordered a body from warmoth with these specs

Model Standard Stratocaster®
Orientation Right handed
Core Wood Alder
Top/Rear Rout Top Rout
Bridge,Trem Vintage 6-Hole Tremolo
Output Jack Strat® Top Jack Rout
Mounting Holes Standard 4 Bolt
Tummy Cut Tummy Cut
Forearm Contour Forearm Contour
Countoured Heel Contoured Heel
Finish Black Satin
Finish Black Satin
Pickup Rout, Top Strat®, Strat®, Angled Reverse Strat®
Scale 25-1/2 inch
Neck Pocket Strat® Shape


and getting a custom pickguard that will have the reverse strat pickup near the bridge so it can fit the reverse pickup in the back.

She should look like this except with the reverse pickups

http://www.warmoth.com/Showcase/images/ ... S5485A.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Im having extra contours cut out and a upcharge for a very light 3.0 - 3.5 lb alder body. I know more wood gives a different tone but I like light guitars because my back will thank my me later since I play and practice standing up. I cant play sitting down I feel too constrained and my arms feel stiff.

Except the color of the pickguard is

http://www.warmoth.com/Pickguard/images ... _cream.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I have a MIM reissue strat 70's and it has a vintage fender trem. I was reading that the fender MIM trems are made of zinc so I went ahead and got a gotch vintage trem. Are the MIM trems any good or did I make the right move to buy a grotch?

Im leaving the pickups that came with the MIM resissue they have the low output resistance that I want. As long as the output resitance is the same then pickups are pickups right I mean shouldnt really be that much different?

[garbeaj]

In my opinion the Klusons sound and feel different than the F-tuners...you are really now no longer in '68 Strat territory. Maybe I'm crazy, but putting Klusons on a '68 Strat (real or reproduction) would be like putting a whale tail from a late 70s Corvette on a classic '69 Corvette-it is just not the same. But to each his own-this is your own customized guitar and you can like what you like. New F-tuners aren't very expensive if price is the objection...Just my two cents:)

[harkkam08]

Yeah I will def pick up a set and if I don't like how the klusons sound then I'll change em.

Can I just leave the shellac on the neck or get it poly?

[garbeaj]

Yeah I will def pick up a set and if I don't like how the klusons sound then I'll change em.

Can I just leave the shellac on the neck or get it poly?

Whatever you want...poly is what I believe would be accurate, but if you are just going for what you like rather than accuracy, then really whatever is more comfortable for you:)

[harkkam08]

Haha yes that is true.

I think comfort gives way to accuracy in my case lol.

Ill def post pictures and show you what she looks like and what it comes out as.

[garbeaj]

That's great! Are you doing the headstock decals and everything? "F" neck plate as well?

[harkkam08]

yeah I wanted to do the decals not sure where to get them from though I want the ones that would have been on the 1968 ones. And the neck plate is just a simple plate with no F on it.

Hey guys also where do you get those 1968 green tone chicklets where they .1uf?

[Tone Slinger]

just let me know, I'm not kidding, I have a WORLD class painter/relicer here in North Carolina. His name is Gene. He is honest and fair because he is like US !

His paint is the best. He can turn out F neck plates and accurate body or neck color ( he nailed the Woodstock strat for me). Though he can turn out a Springsteen (sure hope thats German , just to say that Teutonic is probably gonna be of a better origin) ) Tele or a SRV strat.

The Fender Custom shop CANNOT compete with this dude. To CONTAIN 'talent' in a corperate capacity means that you have to have SPINELESS Mother F***ers who will bend as far forward as they will back wards (grab them there ankles) . This means SECOND rate work no matter how you slice it.

I know a man that holds a HIGHER standard.