Problem attaching Warmoth neck to Strat body

[thaus]

Greetings! Just got a great deal on a Squier Strat ($40).



I love the colour but don't like the neck. As luck would have it, when I recently purchased my VG strat, the guy threw in a brand new Warmoth maple neck.




I thought maybe I would use the maple neck and attach it to the Squier Strat body. I took it apart today and found that holes through the guitar are not centered.



Here is a pic of the neck that came off the guitar. It said Squier Affinity on the headstock. As you can see, the holes are not very straight and the neck-plate sits off-centre.



Any suggestions would be very appreciated since I am a total novice when it comes to taking apart and putting together guitars. I thought this would be a good way to get into it. My plan is to install some DeTemple PuPs and a better bridge. (once I get the neck on).



My question for the experts here is if this will be a problem? Should I fill the holes and redrill?

[aunchaki]

Wow. This is the day for people who have the same problems I have! I also have a Squier Strat body (mine's black) with mis-drilled holes. I have a nice neck that I got for free off a friend's Squier Bullet. I lightly re-shaped the heel on the neck (it was somewhere between the rounded Strat heel and squared-off Tele heel). The four holes drilled in the neck are properly-spaced (a neat rectangle in the center of the neck).

My body's four drilled-through holes are NOT centered on the pocket! Ack. I'm still in the middle of this project. Here's my plan. I have 1/8-inch dowel to plug the existing holes in the body. Since both sides are covered (by the neck and neck plate), I don't care about cosmetics. I'm just making sure that the dowels do not stick out on either side (I don't want them interfering with anything).

I've got some extra neck screws. I'm cutting four screws about 1/2-inch long and screwing them by hand in the existing neck screw-holes, so that just the points stick out. Then I'm fitting the neck into the body (it's a tight fit) and pressing down to make four marks in the pocket. I'll carefully drill from the pocket side. I do NOT yet have a drill press, which is what's keeping me from just doing it. The four holes have to be (near-)perfect on BOTH sides.

Anyhoo, that's what I'm doing. I'll take pictures along the way. Right now I'm still gathering the pieces.

[aunchaki]

BTW, sweet body. I love the color and for $40 you can't go wrong!!

[boris bubbanov]

Woodworker's Supply has a jig for drilling 90 degree accurate holes I've been meaning to check out, aunchaki.
When I see a heel with the screw holes that far off to one side, I'd be thinking about plugging those holes and redrilling those based on where the neck plate wants to be centered, thaus. With a body that nice looking, I'd want a real solid link between it and the neck. I don't think neck holes that close to the edge will hold in tension with energetic playin' jus MHO.

Bubbanov

[thaus]

Originally Posted by aunchaki

Wow. This is the day for people who have the same problems I have! I also have a Squier Strat body (mine's black) with mis-drilled holes. I have a nice neck that I got for free off a friend's Squier Bullet. I lightly re-shaped the heel on the neck (it was somewhere between the rounded Strat heel and squared-off Tele heel). The four holes drilled in the neck are properly-spaced (a neat rectangle in the center of the neck).

My body's four drilled-through holes are NOT centered on the pocket! Ack. I'm still in the middle of this project. Here's my plan. I have 1/8-inch dowel to plug the existing holes in the body. Since both sides are covered (by the neck and neck plate), I don't care about cosmetics. I'm just making sure that the dowels do not stick out on either side (I don't want them interfering with anything).

I've got some extra neck screws. I'm cutting four screws about 1/2-inch long and screwing them by hand in the existing neck screw-holes, so that just the points stick out. Then I'm fitting the neck into the body (it's a tight fit) and pressing down to make four marks in the pocket. I'll carefully drill from the pocket side. I do NOT yet have a drill press, which is what's keeping me from just doing it. The four holes have to be (near-)perfect on BOTH sides.

Anyhoo, that's what I'm doing. I'll take pictures along the way. Right now I'm still gathering the pieces.

Thanks for the tips. Looks like filling with dowels and re-drilling is the way to go. A question about the dowels. Will any hardwood do? Also, is it better to take a drill and open the holes a bit so the dowel fits better? Right now the holes seem very uneven (in diameter).

[thaus]

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

Woodworker's Supply has a jig for drilling 90 degree accurate holes I've been meaning to check out, aunchaki.
When I see a heel with the screw holes that far off to one side, I'd be thinking about plugging those holes and redrilling those based on where the neck plate wants to be centered, thaus. With a body that nice looking, I'd want a real solid link between it and the neck. I don't think neck holes that close to the edge will hold in tension with energetic playin' jus MHO.

Bubbanov

Thanks for the tip Bubbanov. I think I will fill and re-drill. Unfortunately my wood-working skills suck but I think I may be able to do the dowel thing! Same question for you........does it matter what type of wood to use for the dowel? And should the existing hole be drilled out to better fit a dowel?

It is a nice body that actually looks better with a rosewood neck but the one that came with the guitar is in terrible shape........plus I prefer maple and the warmoth neck is nice!

[Razzamatazz]

I'd keep the holes in the body as it is and put dowels in the Warmoth neck if there are already holes in there.

When you redrill the holes in the body, you might damage the lacquer so badly that the neck plate won't cover it up.

[thaus]

Originally Posted by Razzamatazz

I'd keep the holes in the body as it is and put dowels in the Warmoth neck if there are already holes in there.

When you redrill the holes in the body, you might damage the lacquer so badly that the neck plate won't cover it up.

I thought of that as well but the neck plate doesn't cover the existing holes totally......someone went a little crazy when attaching the last neck, hence the holes being very off-centre. The Warmoth neck does have pre-drilled holes but they will actually be a good guide for the new ones.

[daddyopapa]

The holes in the body need to be the correct size even if they're off centre. If they are ovaled out, the neck won't be stable. I'd drill out the mounting holes in the body and neck with a new 1/2" forstner bit (a special bit that cuts an accurate hole in wood.) The new holes on the body don't need to be centred - arrange the holes so they are hidden under the neck plate. Don't go too deep in the neck. Then I'd buy a maple 1/2" dowel and using a sharp back or dovetail saw, cut the dowel into plugs that are slightly bigger than you need. Glue the plugs int o the holes with yellow carpenters glue and let dry overnight. Trim with a sharp chisel till flush. I'd sand the neck plugs smooth and give it a coat of lacquer in the repair area only. Do a bit of touch up on the body with model paint just to seal the wood. Hopefully the neck plate hides the repair. Clamp the neck plate, body and neck, and drill 4 new holes of the correct size. Don't go through the fingerboard.

[tele12]

Originally Posted by Razzamatazz

I'd keep the holes in the body as it is and put dowels in the Warmoth neck if there are already holes in there.

When you redrill the holes in the body, you might damage the lacquer so badly that the neck plate won't cover it up.

Don't do that, keep the holes in the neck as they are. The Warmoth neck is worth way more than the body is. Eventually you will probably want to upgrade the body, and if you keep the neck as it is you will be able to do it.

[shakedancer]

That's a cool color. I will never again try to put a non Fender neck on a Fender body.

[thaus]

Update.........I first tried the dowel-fill maneuver which was successful. I bought a jig that lets you use a regular drill and get perfectly straight holes but when I set the thing up, it just did not inspire confidence! I promptly packaged that baby up and decided to send the whole kit to a local guitar tech. For a bottle of gin he properly filled the holes (he said they had been ovaled-out), let it set for 2 days and used a real drill-press to properly position the neck into the pocket. I haven't seen the guitar yet.......I should have it at the beginning of next week and will post pics of the finished guitar! Thanks again for all the replies and advice...............

[DAVID KORNBLATT]

Originally Posted by thaus

Greetings! Just got a great deal on a Squier Strat ($40).



I love the colour but don't like the neck. As luck would have it, when I recently purchased my VG strat, the guy threw in a brand new Warmoth maple neck.




I thought maybe I would use the maple neck and attach it to the Squier Strat body. I took it apart today and found that holes through the guitar are not centered.



Here is a pic of the neck that came off the guitar. It said Squier Affinity on the headstock. As you can see, the holes are not very straight and the neck-plate sits off-centre.



Any suggestions would be very appreciated since I am a total novice when it comes to taking apart and putting together guitars. I thought this would be a good way to get into it. My plan is to install some DeTemple PuPs and a better bridge. (once I get the neck on).



My question for the experts here is if this will be a problem? Should I fill the holes and redrill?

i just wanted to let you know that mike detemple doesnt make his pickups they are repackaged mike lull/jason lolar pickps and hes passing the cost on to you

[thaus]

Originally Posted by DAVID KORNBLATT

i just wanted to let you know that mike detemple doesnt make his pickups they are repackaged mike lull/jason lolar pickps and hes passing the cost on to you

I've had a look on the Lollar website and he doesn't offer any pick-ups that have the same specs as the DeTemple PUPS..........from what I have heard and read, the DeTemple PUPS are specially made for DeTemple to his specs. I have yet to hear anything negative about the tone from these PUPS; and yes, they are a little pricey!!