Neck plate advice

Hi guys,

I'm a little concerned about the next steps in my telecaster build as I don't think the neckplate I have bought is going to fit.

If I place the neckplate into the neck pocket and push it hard against the bass side of the body it is pretty much flush with edge of the treble side of the pocket.

http://chrisbewick.com/telecastle/wp-content/uploads/neckplate1.JPG

By my reckoning this means that in order to get all 4 screws into the neck I would have to position the plate in this same position on the back of the body. With the plate flush to the edge like so...

http://chrisbewick.com/telecastle/wp-content/uploads/neckplate2.JPG

This looks a bit akward for two reasons...


Its not central on the back of the body.
The 6mm roundover on the back of the body goes under the neckplate.


I've been thinking this through and have had two terrible ideas and one poentially good idea.

Enlarge the neck pocket on the bass side so I can move the neck and neckplate away from the treble side into a central position (This will result in a messy and oversized neckpocket, not really an option).
Reposition the neckplate centrally on the back of the body and go for it knowing full well that two screws will locate in the neck and 2 will probably break out the side or miss completely (This risks damaging the neck and/or body and will be a weak neck joint).
Ditch the neck plate and get some recessed neck screw bushings (http://www.allparts.uk.com/recessed-neck-screw-bushings-3-p-3363.html) instead. Its not a traditional tele but it will look decent and be a secure neck joint.


Right now I'm thinking option 3 is the only way to go. Would you guys agree or is there a 4th option that I haven't thought of?

Thanks in advance.

From here it looks like your neck pocket is no where near square. So option 1 is what your going to have to do. Take a look at the bass side of the neck pocket on my build. Notice how much material you still have, on mine there is none for the first 1/2" or so or option 3 if you feel that the pocket is in fact square.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tsDBv9nCjHA/T2p2IymEWxI/AAAAAAAAECg/RbeVezgzV_0/s800/2012-03-21_19-39-17_358.jpg

Thanks for the reply gearhead. I think the squareness is pretty good. It might need a slight sand in the bass side for fine tuning once I get some strings on but its only gonna be a small adjustment, nowhere near enough to resolve the problem with the neck plate.

Body with neck and straight edge...

http://chrisbewick.com/telecastle/wp-content/uploads/neckplate3.JPG

If it isn't square you can fill the pocket and re route it, but if indeed it is square I'd say your third option is really your only option.

It isn't supposed to be a square. It is a tapered shape maybe...trapazoidal?. The neck measures about 2. 0625 across the 16th fret and about 2.187 across the end of the neck. (The neck pocket itself is usually routed at 2 7/32") Get an accurate measuring tool and find the center of the pocket and draw a line down the length. then go .75 to each side of that line. The holes are 2" apart in length and 1.5 inches apart in width centered in the pocket. The bottom holes should be a distance of .625 from the wall of the end of the neck pocket.

It also looks like whoever routed the radius on the pocket perimeter used too large a radius. That really should be more like a 1/16 D broken edge.

It appears that your center line for your neck pocket was a little off. On the bass side the horn should come to a point at the neck. Also I don't believe most teles are rounded over on the neck pocket section of the body resulting in the gap under the top edge of the plate. Option 3 above is probably the easiest fix.

I think option #3 as well... I'm looking at my '83 telly, and while the neck pocket area isn't razor-sharp, it's not rounded over like the rest of the body...

And as you say, it's not really a "traditional" telecaster, so why stick with something that for this guitar is not going to work?

Franc Robert

Just measured the width of the neck heel. It was 53mm and the plans say 56mm. Oops! I guess that explains why the bass side looks funny to you guys.

Oh well, if I wanted an exact copy I'd have bought a Fender right! :D

I think I better order some of those neck screw bushings.

Inside the neck cavity, place the plate square against the back, instead of either side, and see how it lines up. If your neck fits nice and snug, and lined up with the pup and bridge routes, give it a try. Or get the bushings.

@bullfrogblues - The problem is exactly he same with the plate pushed back as you describe.

I've ordered the bushings, problem solved. Thanks everyone for all your advice!

Just make sure you measure the bushings before you drill for them. Just because they SAY they are 15mm, doesn't mean they actually are.


@bullfrogblues - The problem is exactly he same with the plate pushed back as you describe.

I've ordered the bushings, problem solved. Thanks everyone for all your advice!