Who Makes a Neck Like the MIM 69 Thinline RI?

e-merlin · May 14th, 2008, 08:49 PM

I want to replace the neck on one of my partscasters and the neck on my mid 80s Squier Tele's seen better days. I really like the MIM 69 Thinline RI necks. Nice and thick with a slight V or maybe U. I prefer that over the neck on my MIM Esquire RI. So, anyway, I'll be replacing at least one neck in the near future and maybe two with something similar to the Thinline RI necks.

As much as I'd like to just buy a couple of the genuine article off of eBay, I'm not sure I want to spend almost $300 per, which is the going eBay price for the real deal with shipping. So, I'll probably go with an unfinished copy and finish it myself. Heck, I may even put my own name on the headstock.

What I'd really like in my dream world is a maple neck with that back shape, a 7-1/4" fretboard radius (no compound radius, tried 'em, don't like 'em), and low-wide frets similar to some Kramers I've had.

I probably won't go with USACG because I really don't want to have to reshape the headstock (might reconsider if they have the fret size I want).

I've been happy with everything I've ordered from Warmoth, so I'd consider them.

I've never tried Mighty Mite or Allparts but am open to comments on them.

I like hardware from WD, but I don't care for their necks. The vintage ones are too thin and the thicker necks have a 12" fretboard radius.

Other than those, I am not familiar with other manufacturers. I'd settle for an off-the-shelfer if the price and quality are right. Back shape and fretboard radius are most important to me and I'll settle for vintage frets if need be. These necks are going to be for players, not vintage recreations, so they don't have to be period perfect.

All comments welcome.

Dacious · May 14th, 2008, 11:50 PM

The MIM '69RI neck is very similar to a 52Ri neck, having owned both at once. Some people sell the Japanese necks used on Fender Japan guitars, seen them on ebay. I have one and they'd be close except the frets are bigger. They might be the Mighty Mite vintage spec - I don't know for sure but they look the same, with a very 1950's rear headstock profile.

Goluphi · May 14th, 2008, 11:56 PM

Allparts tmf v neck. You're welcome.

boris bubbanov · May 15th, 2008, 12:21 AM

I've got a 69 Thinline neck in my hands, one I've retired due to some dents in the frets.

This neck is superficially like a 50's Classic Tele/ Esquire neck, but there's something odd about the shape.

Buy one of those tools for measuring profiles and see what I mean.

e-merlin · May 15th, 2008, 07:22 AM

To me, the 50s Classic/Esquire neck seems more like a C shape where the Thinline neck is more of a U or soft V, soft V being somewhere between a U-shape and the triangle shape that is the Jerry Donahue neck.

Dacious · May 15th, 2008, 08:13 AM

50's Classic is bigger than both 69 and 52Ri. Almost but not quite as big as a Nocaster. Not quite a Louisville, but not far off. 69 and 52 are very similar to a genuine 70's I had. MIJ/CIJ 50's-type necks are very similar, just seem a little smaller overall to me.

mellecaster · May 15th, 2008, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

I've got a 69 Thinline neck in my hands, one I've retired due to some dents in the frets.

This neck is superficially like a 50's Classic Tele/ Esquire neck, but there's something odd about the shape.

Buy one of those tools for measuring profiles and see what I mean.

I agree...I would describe it as having a deeper shoulder than a 50s Classic ?

boris bubbanov · May 15th, 2008, 02:29 PM

Yes, it is slow to turn in, particularly on the high E side. It almost looks asymmetrical, with the low E side more of a soft V, especially adjacent to the first 7 frets.

Maybe it is just this one neck, but there's a lot going on here.

e-merlin · May 15th, 2008, 02:51 PM

So, Mr.Bubbanov, any special plans for that thar neck? I'm not above spending some of the ol' economic stimulus check on some stimulating refretting tools and fretwire. Heck, I've already got some fret leveling and crowning tools; might as well add to my skill set...

Chumpito · May 15th, 2008, 05:59 PM

Hey there!

Try Acme Guitar Works, they advertise a 69 Thinline pickguard. I have purchased from them before and have been quite happy. Good Luck!

http://www.acmeguitarworks.com/Misce...aster__C55.cfm

e-merlin · May 15th, 2008, 06:02 PM

I'll probably stick with the pickguards I already have. Thanks, though.

Chumpito · May 15th, 2008, 06:02 PM

Sorry!!!!

Posted to wrong thread.

May 14th, 2008, 11:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
Dacious Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Godzone Posts: 2,605 35 Photos	The MIM '69RI neck is very similar to a 52Ri neck, having owned both at once. Some people sell the Japanese necks used on Fender Japan guitars, seen them on ebay. I have one and they'd be close except the frets are bigger. They might be the Mighty Mite vintage spec - I don't know for sure but they look the same, with a very 1950's rear headstock profile. __________________ My other Telecaster is a Thinline The Tele Bible, Ch 1, v 10 Love thy Telecaster, covet not thy neighbour's Strat!

May 15th, 2008, 12:21 AM	#4 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 6,397	I've got a 69 Thinline neck in my hands, one I've retired due to some dents in the frets. This neck is superficially like a 50's Classic Tele/ Esquire neck, but there's something odd about the shape. Buy one of those tools for measuring profiles and see what I mean. __________________ Bubban0v

May 15th, 2008, 08:13 AM	#6 (permalink)
Dacious Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Godzone Posts: 2,605 35 Photos	50's Classic is bigger than both 69 and 52Ri. Almost but not quite as big as a Nocaster. Not quite a Louisville, but not far off. 69 and 52 are very similar to a genuine 70's I had. MIJ/CIJ 50's-type necks are very similar, just seem a little smaller overall to me. __________________ My other Telecaster is a Thinline The Tele Bible, Ch 1, v 10 Love thy Telecaster, covet not thy neighbour's Strat!

May 15th, 2008, 02:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 6,397	Yes, it is slow to turn in, particularly on the high E side. It almost looks asymmetrical, with the low E side more of a soft V, especially adjacent to the first 7 frets. Maybe it is just this one neck, but there's a lot going on here. __________________ Bubban0v

May 15th, 2008, 06:02 PM	#12 (permalink)
Chumpito TDPRI Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Montana Posts: 13	Sorry!!!! Posted to wrong thread. __________________ Chumpito wanna-be guitarist

May 14th, 2008, 11:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
Goluphi TDPRI Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 77	Allparts tmf v neck. You're welcome.

May 15th, 2008, 05:59 PM	#10 (permalink)
Chumpito TDPRI Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Montana Posts: 13	Hey there! Try Acme Guitar Works, they advertise a 69 Thinline pickguard. I have purchased from them before and have been quite happy. Good Luck! http://www.acmeguitarworks.com/Misce...aster__C55.cfm