60's/50's neck swap?

[Pigeon Crowe]

Hey there,

My Dad has always wanted a fiesta red strat with a rosewood neck and I've always wanted a 60's strat with a maple 'board so I suggested that after I get a job and earn some cash then I'll but a 60's strat and he'll buy a 50's fiesta red strat and we'll just swap the necks.

My only concern is that there might be some issues with the swap as in intonation, alignment or other problems.

I just wanted to know if anyone knew much about the necks and if they thought the swap would work cause if not then we'd have to get a tech to do it and the overall cost would be about a grand

Thanks,

Pigeon

[alnicopu]

Assuming the scale lengths are the same and the bolt patterns match up, I don't really see anything more than maybe a pro setup for each guitar. Whats that, 50 bucks per guitar? I'm not a guitar tech, per say, but strats and teles are pretty much made for swapping stuff out. There are all kinds of sites that can step you through a rudimentary setup. Personally, I can't think of a better father/son project to undertake. There's only about a bazillion folks here that can help you guys out. Your glass is half full here buddy, go make a memory with your old man.

You can just about pound nails all day with a strat or tele and gig with them that night.

[Paul45]

A grand? To swap over a couple of necks??? Have I read that right?

If they're both Fender guitars there shouldn't be any problem at all.I've swapped over lots of necks looking for the right combo.If you lived closer to me I'd do it for you for nothing.

[loopy reed]

They should fit exactly the same.

[MahoganyStratDZ]

I've made this swap. The 60 neck into 50 set-up may need a slight saddle height adjustment.

Sometimes the body/neck bolt set-up may be slightly off, but it will fit.

[flyingbanana]

Not for a grand. If we read that correctly, you are getting strung along...so to speak.

Take the strings off of both guitars.
Unbolt the necks.
Swap them.
Tighten the screws again.
Restring.
Tune up and intonate each guitar.

This doesn't cost a grand. Maybe....100 bucks. Should be less, not including the strings. There is a slight chance of the neck holes and body holes not lining up perfectly, but normally everything goes right together.

[shorty1]

When you get the guitars,get a taxi to Glasgow and i'll swap the necks over and set them up,you will save over £800.

[Loco]

I changed the neck on my 2003 Classic 50s Strat recently for a replacement dated 2011. There's a more obvious gap in the neck pocket than there used to be, but nothing to worry about.

[BritishBluesBoy]

Originally Posted by Pigeon Crowe

overall cost would be about a grand

A grand??? No way... Get your screwdriver out and do it yourself, it's easy.

[Rod Parsons]

Maybe you mean $1000.00 for cost of both geetars plus the tech cost? What models were you thinking of getting?...

[D.Allen]

Easy to do yourself just remember to tighten the bolts in a pattern not one at a time so it seats well.