2008 Squire Bullet + Allparts Fat neck?

[telemomo]

I just ordered a new Daphne Blue Squire Bullet for $85 shipped. My hope is (and my fingers are crossed right now) that I can replace the neck with an Allparts FAT neck.

Should the Allparts replacement necks fit right into the Squire Bullet pockets? Will the screw holes line up? How about a Fender neck plate?

I have been jonesing to put together a "Partsocaster". I figure if the Squire will take the FAt Allparts neck, I will be way ahead of the game at less than $100 for a finished body and any other parts that are "good" on the Squire.

Of course I will play the Squire in stock form for a few days, but I do already have some Fender CS Texas Special Pups just waiting.

Thank you for any experience or information you can share about the Squire's compatibility with Fender parts.

Mike

[telemomo]

I may have done a little better than first thought. The photo of the Squire I purchased is actually a Squire Deluxe Stratocaster. I hope the seller does not try a switcharoo. They are a music dealer and it was an ebay purchase(oh no!). The Deluxe sells for $249 on MF!



Mike

[boris bubbanov]

It may work. The 2 things to be concerned about is the Allparts neck being thicker in the heel than the Bullet, and also you may be getting borderline neck heavy.
If I recall right, Rob DiStefano might be doing Bullets this way. Try the search function here, I think there's at least one yeasty thread on this subject.

[telemomo]

Thank you Boris:

I will PM Rob about the neck. I sent the seller an email because I just purchased the item. The photo clearly displays the guitar's serial #. It is a Deluxe Strat pictured. I hope they hold up their end of the bargain... $85 is a SMOKIN deal!

Mike

[Kid Klash]

The neck plate holes will line up perfectly; can't speak for the neck pocket or the thickness of the heel of the AllParts fat neck.

[thaus]

PM Rob DiStefano, he has assembled enough of these to know! Rob did a pink one for me a while back and it is a really good guitar; tone and playability are top-rate. The stock neck is very good so I would suggest trying it before you change it. It is much like an AM. Std neck, just needs a little tweaking (which Rob did thank you!) to get it perfect. This guitar is now on par with my more expensive American-made strats.

[telemomo]

Thanks guys. Delivery is scheduled for this Wednesday 4/16. I am looking forward to seeing what I get. I already contacted Rob DiStefano. He is going to finish an Allparts FAT Rosewood neck for me in Reranch Amber, install a bone nut, dress the frets and install some vintage staggered tuners for me.

Rob has an Allparts FAT rosewood neck on one of his custom Squire Bullets and states that he loves it.

I also ordered the obligatory Mint Green pickguard and cream colored parts.

I did not really need another guitar. I am sure my wife will reinforce that fact for me when she realizes what I have done. But, I have ALWAYS been jonesing for a Daphne Strat since I saw one in a local music store in the late 1960's. As far as aesthetics go, this should get pretty close to my definition of the "ultimate" Strat. A Shell Pink or aged Olympic White finish are right there too for me.

So, if this thing can be assembled and set up to be the level of player many others claim to have developed, I will be thrilled. From what I have read here, Rob does great work, so the neck should be killer!

Wish me luck. I will post my results, impressions, and photos when it is complete in a couple weeks or so.

Thanks again.

Mike

[thaus]

You will be more than happy with Rob's work! My DiStefano modded Squier Bullet plays as well and sounds as good as my other much more expensive strats. Granted, the whole guitar cost about $400 once everything was replaced but it still is better than any MIM that I have played and the tone from the Keystones is really nice............

[telemomo]

thaus:

The great thing about growing up without any money is that buying relatively modest things can still make me so excited. I honestly can't wait for my Squire Deluxe to get here.

I am into it for $450, but even if it does not meet my expectations, I will only lose on the $85 purchase price. The other parts are all superior and I will be able to use them on any other Partsocaster in the future.

I notice a lot of people like the Keystones on this Forum. I already have an extra set of Fender CS Texas Specials, so I will give the Seymour Duncan Design pups that come on the Deluxe a chance and then try out the Texas Specials.

I will keep you posted.

Mike