Neck Choice Question

This question has probably been asked to death, but new questioning brings fresh answers I guess.
I'm thinking of making yet another T-Build. In the past, I just grabbed Mighty-Mite necks and bought Fender tuners. Sometimes though, I see MIM necks complete with the tuners, etc on eBay and wonder if they would be better necks. I know there are more expensive after-market necks out there, but am only looking in the $100-$200 complete range.
Another thought that it raises, is that with the Mighty Mite necks, I can stick on my own name and model, and even touch up, because they are just urethaned. With a MIM neck, I'd be stuck with whatever is written on it and to sand it off, would mean polyester work, and I'm not up for that.

Here's a thought.

Try building your neck from scratch. It's not as hard as it seems.
It can be done with a minimal toolset.
You are only a few clicks away from boatloads of different methods, 100's of full color photos and step by step instructions.

It sounds like you have ample experience making bodies so I would think a neck wouldn't be all that of a challenge.

good luck - jb -

Here's a thought.

Try building your neck from scratch. It's not as hard as it seems.
It can be done with a minimal toolset.
You are only a few clicks away from boatloads of different methods, 100's of full color photos and step by step instructions.

It sounds like you have ample experience making bodies so I would think a neck wouldn't be all that of a challenge.

good luck - jb -

Thank you for that input. I would take great pride in making my own neck, however I live in a townhouse and have just enough tools and space to make the body. Doing a neck would be beyond my scope at this time, and since mass produced necks are so relatively cheap, I'd rather focus on body creation.
So for now, I guess I just need some advise on the original question.

If you have room for a workmate, you have room to make a neck.

If you have room for a workmate, you have room to make a neck.

Ok, well then I'm too lazy or lack focus.:wink:
Back to my question, cheap jobber neck, or good used MIM one?

I don't trust the quality of Mighty Might necks. For the price, it's like going into a grab bag, you get a somewhat decent neck or you get a crappy built neck. The fret edges are terrible and so are the setting of the frets. For $40 dollars or so more, get yourself an Allaprts neck unfinished. There will be a noticeable build difference, and worth it.

I've used one Mighty Might neck , that was one to many. Spend the money on a decent neck I like Warmoth just my preference. I would agree with building your own, I do all mine now. If space is a problem just stand it on end.

Ditto Warmoth.

I have perused the neck making info now, and so much is needed to be obtained in order to make a neck, and if I'm only going to make one more guitar, that'll add up to more than it's worth. I would need all the specialized tools, files, sanding blocks, etc. Then a good piece of straight maple, nut material, and either a truss rod assy, or the material to make one.
I still haven't got an opinion yet though on MIM necks vs.after market?

I'd go with MIM over mighty mite. If you like vintage frets the older MIM necks go for even less $. With patience a warmoth or USACG will fall in your lap for under $200. I got a USACG neck recently for a steal on ebay, it's waiting to be permanently mated to an alder Am. Special body.

For under $200 NEW I would go allparts over MM and use a tru-oil or other cheap easy finish.

I'd go with MIM over mighty mite. If you like vintage frets the older MIM necks go for even less $. With patience a warmoth or USACG will fall in your lap for under $200. I got a USACG neck recently for a steal on ebay, it's waiting to be permanently mated to an alder Am. Special body.

For under $200 NEW I would go allparts over MM and use a tru-oil or other cheap easy finish.

Thank you for giving neck choice answers. :lol: I have used MMs to make the ones I have so far and yes the fret ends are sharp, but for my lame playing the rest of the neck has seemed ok. I bought a fret file and when I change strings next time I will dress these necks properly.The MIM guitars do have smoother edges on the guitars I have.

I will have to keep my eyes open for the right deals. I went on the Warmoth site, and the choosing was too convoluted for me. Too many additions and options. I just want a basic neck with the same configuration as Fender.

Just joined the forum. I'm looking at a new build myself, and considering necks. A new Carvin neck goes for $159, paddle headstock, but it is angled contrary to traditional T design. I'm not a traditionalist, and i may have to just try one, since i have always heard good things.
I have built necks, and even have a couple of blanks in the shop, but I'm like you, the extra work is a bit too much with bolt style guitars. I'll reserve the extra effort for set and neck through designs. Just wanted to put another option forward, in case it interested you.

Just joined the forum. I'm looking at a new build myself, and considering necks. A new Carvin neck goes for $159, paddle headstock, but it is angled contrary to traditional T design. I'm not a traditionalist, and i may have to just try one, since i have always heard good things.
I have built necks, and even have a couple of blanks in the shop, but I'm like you, the extra work is a bit too much with bolt style guitars. I'll reserve the extra effort for set and neck through designs. Just wanted to put another option forward, in case it interested you.

I just went on the Carvin site to look. That is a funky angle for sure. I'm not super traditional, but that would trouble me I reckon.
Yes I think making a neck is like re-inventing the wheel as they are not really individual if one is making a traditional Tele. The body however, can be made in so many ways and in so many materials. I'm considering making this next one out of BC Pine Beetle wood with it's natural blue stain. I had said I've made enough, but my wife wants one made for her as a decoration as she doesn't play, so I thought I'd go artsy.

I'd go with MIM over mighty mite. If you like vintage frets the older MIM necks go for even less $. With patience a warmoth or USACG will fall in your lap for under $200. I got a USACG neck recently for a steal on ebay, it's waiting to be permanently mated to an alder Am. Special body.

For under $200 NEW I would go allparts over MM and use a tru-oil or other cheap easy finish.

This will be a head-slapper when I get a reply,but what is the "CG" in USACG?


@peterpicker
Artsy :lol:
I thought about doing a refurb on my Douglas Tele. I was always disappointed with the foto top. I have an old set of ACU uniforms that would make a great fabric top tele. It could be my deployment guitar. Artsy, and functional.:lol:
I like the paddle headstock because of the ability to shape it myself, but I'm also unsure of the headstock angle on a tele. I might build one for a "select wood" bolt guitar.

USA Custom Guitar

head-slap :-)