Swapping necks qustion

assdksl · November 28th, 2009, 08:15 PM

Hi guys,

Six months ago I got Levinson Blade Texas Standard Pro guitar. It's a strat copy basically, with few extras. I really like the tone. But, the neck is so tin for me. It is some kind of modern oval shape, like on new Fender Deluxe Strats or so. Fretboard radius is 12", which is ok, but, it looks like guitar was refreted with larger wire. Now, fretwork is really lame. Al that being said, I don't like the neck as it is. So I was thinking of getting some Jimmie Vaughan Strat neck, which I really like. The problem is that "neck pocket" on my guitar is a bit longer than on Fenders. It stretches all the way to the neck with only about 0.2" space left from pickup to the beginning of the neck. If I switch the neck for JV, there will b a bit of empty space between the body and the neck. So I was wondering if any of you who had experience in building or repairing guitars could tell me how would that affect the tone? I could fill the gap with chunk of wood... What would you do?

Thank you in advance!

flyingbanana · November 28th, 2009, 11:58 PM

That's a tough one, but from my limited knowledge, you'll need to take it to a luthier or better still, send it to a company like usa custom and ask them to make a neck for it that will fit. It sounds like the specs are different than Fender. Do you know for sure if it's using the 25.5" scale?

I am sure some other smarter person will chime in.

assdksl · November 29th, 2009, 10:18 AM

Yeah, the scale is 25.5" and neck will fit. I tried it with another Fender neck and it fits. The only difference is that original neck has just a bit more length after 22nd fret than Fenders. That is totally unusable area, it has no function whatsoever. So when I mount Fender neck, there is a little gap between the body and the neck. Screw holes are placed identically, only the neck pocket is a bit longer, that all.

Anyway, thank you for for answering!

cmcoram · November 29th, 2009, 11:07 AM

Could you fill the holes on the JV neck and re-drill? Maybe this will allow you to fit the neck snug in the pocket.

glebe digital · November 29th, 2009, 11:15 AM

I think -in your particular instance- I'd avoid the cut&shut, the odd match will cause your re-sale price to take a nozedive....you'd be better selling it 'mint' and buying a guitar which has a better neck for you personally.

The neck's the first thing I look for to be 'my version of perfect' in a new purchase.......if the necks good, it's a good chance the overall tonal characteristics of the guitar will be good.....a bad neck, and no amount of electronic goodies will overcome the initial shortcomings.

Good luck dude.

flyingbanana · November 29th, 2009, 03:53 PM

or...make a 24 fret neck for it. That'll cover up the extra space.

November 28th, 2009, 08:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
assdksl NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Serbia Age: 25 Posts: 6	Swapping necks qustion Hi guys, Six months ago I got Levinson Blade Texas Standard Pro guitar. It's a strat copy basically, with few extras. I really like the tone. But, the neck is so tin for me. It is some kind of modern oval shape, like on new Fender Deluxe Strats or so. Fretboard radius is 12", which is ok, but, it looks like guitar was refreted with larger wire. Now, fretwork is really lame. Al that being said, I don't like the neck as it is. So I was thinking of getting some Jimmie Vaughan Strat neck, which I really like. The problem is that "neck pocket" on my guitar is a bit longer than on Fenders. It stretches all the way to the neck with only about 0.2" space left from pickup to the beginning of the neck. If I switch the neck for JV, there will b a bit of empty space between the body and the neck. So I was wondering if any of you who had experience in building or repairing guitars could tell me how would that affect the tone? I could fill the gap with chunk of wood... What would you do? Thank you in advance!

November 28th, 2009, 11:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
flyingbanana Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Whittier, California Posts: 245	That's a tough one, but from my limited knowledge, you'll need to take it to a luthier or better still, send it to a company like usa custom and ask them to make a neck for it that will fit. It sounds like the specs are different than Fender. Do you know for sure if it's using the 25.5" scale? I am sure some other smarter person will chime in. __________________ Can I be a Strat-Meister instead?

November 29th, 2009, 11:07 AM	#4 (permalink)
cmcoram TDPRI Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Oklahoma Age: 35 Posts: 34 1 Photos	Could you fill the holes on the JV neck and re-drill? Maybe this will allow you to fit the neck snug in the pocket. __________________ Chris Sing a new song to Him; play skillfully on the strings, with a joyful shout. Psalm 33:3

November 29th, 2009, 03:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
flyingbanana Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Whittier, California Posts: 245	or...make a 24 fret neck for it. That'll cover up the extra space. __________________ Can I be a Strat-Meister instead?

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November 29th, 2009, 10:18 AM	#3 (permalink)
assdksl NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Serbia Age: 25 Posts: 6	Yeah, the scale is 25.5" and neck will fit. I tried it with another Fender neck and it fits. The only difference is that original neck has just a bit more length after 22nd fret than Fenders. That is totally unusable area, it has no function whatsoever. So when I mount Fender neck, there is a little gap between the body and the neck. Screw holes are placed identically, only the neck pocket is a bit longer, that all. Anyway, thank you for for answering!

November 29th, 2009, 11:15 AM	#5 (permalink)
glebe digital Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: orkney Posts: 165	I think -in your particular instance- I'd avoid the cut&shut, the odd match will cause your re-sale price to take a nozedive....you'd be better selling it 'mint' and buying a guitar which has a better neck for you personally. The neck's the first thing I look for to be 'my version of perfect' in a new purchase.......if the necks good, it's a good chance the overall tonal characteristics of the guitar will be good.....a bad neck, and no amount of electronic goodies will overcome the initial shortcomings. Good luck dude.

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