Neck Replacement Opinions

[Shnook]

Ok, over the summer I bought a nicely modded 50's Classic Tele from a forum member at a great price and in perfect condition. I LOVE the way this guitar sounds. However, I'm having problems adjusting to the vintage neck radius and frets. Also, I'm kind of touch and go with Carpal Tunnel and I've become very picky about necks. In fact, the only neck that doesn't bother my hand at all is the neck on my Peavey Wolfgangs. The 'vintage style' Tele neck numbs my hand for days after playing it. Being that I can't get a Tele sound from the Wolfgang, I'm looking to get a 'Wolfgang' type neck on my Tele.

This took me to Warmoth and low and behold, they can make a Tele neck in the shape of the Wolfgang neck. I don't imagine that it will be exact, but close enough will do. Any opinions on Warmoth's necks or my idea as a 'fix all?' I really like the Tele and don't want to end up selling it because of the neck. Any feedback would greatly be appreciated.

Thanks!

[PeterUK]

Go for it!

If it will enhance the playing pleasure of your guitar, do it. You could either keep the neck for resale purposes or sell it to part fund the replacement.

One thought though. Warmoth only to poly finishes, so if you want nitro, order it unfinished and get your local tech to finish it for you.

Let us know how it turns out.

Regards

Peter

[Bob Rogers]

I've had good luck with the two Warmouth necks I have purchased. Good quality. The frets were quite level. The ends were no worse than most of the cheap imports - meaning they were greatly improved by dressing.

[Shnook]

Cool, thanks for the replies. One thing though about the neck finish. I want the neck like the Wolfgang's, which means unfinished. The Warmoth site highly recommends a finish, but I love the feel of bare wood. I've never had a problem with my unfinished Wolfgang necks since I 'dress' them in lemon oil every string change. Would the same procedure work ok for the Warmoth neck? I don't see why it wouldn't. I'm aware of the extra care that needs to be taken during the dry winter months.

I'm probably gonna wait till after the holidays to do this, so I don't end up spending my X-Mas allowance on myself, but I'll let you know how it turns out when I do.
I get a fairly decent bonus at work, so I'll probably order it with that money. What's the general turn around with Warmoth?

Thanks for the comments!

[Kevin]

Personally, I'd keep the Lemon Oil away from the necks....

The dry winter months aren't usually the problem with unfinished necks, it's the humid SW VA summers that you have to worry about.

What Warmoth is concerned about is the wood not being sealed against moisture absorption. Lemon oil is OK about once a year for a rosewood fingerboard, but should be kept away from maple.

That said, although Warmoth will not warrant an unfinished neck, most will not have any problems with them. A lot of people act as if an unfinisehd neck with necessarily warp, but that's not the case. I've got an 86 Ibanez on which I sanded the neck to bare wood; I've not even had to adjust the truss rod in the last 10 years...

Some people find that a satin lacquer feels close enough to raw wood to suffice and still keep the warranty on their neck. I'm not saying that you should do that, but it may be an option.

[gottliver]

i finished my warmoth neck w/minwax rub on poly. Then I buffed it w/oooo steel wool. It feels very much like raw wood. In fact people who play that guitar ask me why i didn't lacquer the neck!

Its also a good option cause it cleans very easy. Some light buffing w/0000 steel wool takes off any residue and grime off the board and neck.

mark

[GilmourD]

I remember reading somewhere that there is one oil that Warmoth does consider applicable to its warranty coverage. I can't remember what it is, though. And the oil would give you the bare wood feeling.

[Shnook]

GilmourD,

If you remember the name of that oil, please post it.

Thanks,

[GilmourD]

Originally Posted by Shnook

GilmourD,

If you remember the name of that oil, please post it.

Thanks,

I surely will... I know it's not the stuff I use. I use Formby's Tung Oil.

Kevin or Rob DiStefano probably know.

[Kevin]

I have no clue... I thought that they insisted on a hard (i.e., lacquer or poly) finish. Like I said, though, I've got some bare necks that have stayed straight.

I'd keep lemon oil off a maple board, though, cos it will eventually soften the wood and make the frets loose.

[Soapbarstrat]

All Wolfgang necks I've seen had an oil finish and 6105 type frets. I'm not sure what the oil is, but it most certainly has to be either tung, or a linseed type, maybe one of 'em with added resins like 'tru-oil' or even Watco.
I'm not sure if the necks dimensions are much different from your necks, and if that part would make a difference to you.( I know the headstock is quite different)
I suspect the tall and narrow frets are what might be better for your hand troubles, if you like to be able to bend strings easily.
Those frets can be put on the neck you have, and the fret-board radius can probably be changed to that like the Wolfy. An oil finish can be put on the neck you have.

I'm guessing that the Wolfgang neck has a wider nut-width, but it might not be enough to make an important difference.

The shape of the back of the necks might be an important issue, if the tele is something like a "V" neck and the WG is more round, flatter, etc.

[Lyle Caldwell]

I have a sanded unsealed neck on my Strat, and it has never warped in 10 years. However, it has dried out considerably and shunk just a bit, so that every three years or so, the fret nibs begin to poke out from the side (ouch).

[markophonic]

And used Tung Oil on it.

Rub it on....let it sit for a few minutes and wipe off the excess and buff it up with a soft cloth...and presto! a nice smooth, "natural" feeling neck.

[TheJayZizzle]

their satin finished necks are 'a' ok in my book....have used a couple with great results. thurn around could be anywhere from a few days to 8 weeks depending on what you order, or if they have it instock in the thrift shop.

[Rob DiStefano]

Yes, "tung oil" will seal a neck (and in a conversation with Ken Warmoth, he approved and said it would not void their neck warranty) - but not the raw flavor, must be the "polymer enhanced" tung oil (Min Wax, Formsby, etc). Raw tung oil will never cure/harden - yuk. I had used polymer tung oil quite a bit for necks (and bodies) but the longer dry/cure time and having a lesser durability than a good polyU had me stop using tung oil.

[Shnook]

Thanks for all the replys. I contacted Peavey about what they seal their Wolfgang necks with, and they stated that they used Lemon Oil only before it leaves the shop.

I had orginally thought of replacing the frets on the neck I have with 6105's, but then there's the radius issue. I asked around locally about how much all of this would cost and got figures about the same, and a bit more than the Warmoth neck will cost me. So I'm gonna take a chance with Warmoth and see how that goes. I'm just being stubborn about this barewood stuff. But if I HAVE to put something on it, it'll be satin. Peavey gets away with the no finish on the Wolfgang necks because they have the added graphite reinforcement rods. Now, that's something I don't believe I can get at Warmoth. We'll see...

Thanks!!!

[GilmourD]

Originally Posted by Shnook

Thanks for all the replys. I contacted Peavey about what they seal their Wolfgang necks with, and they stated that they used Lemon Oil only before it leaves the shop.

I had orginally thought of replacing the frets on the neck I have with 6105's, but then there's the radius issue. I asked around locally about how much all of this would cost and got figures about the same, and a bit more than the Warmoth neck will cost me. So I'm gonna take a chance with Warmoth and see how that goes. I'm just being stubborn about this barewood stuff. But if I HAVE to put something on it, it'll be satin. Peavey gets away with the no finish on the Wolfgang necks because they have the added graphite reinforcement rods. Now, that's something I don't believe I can get at Warmoth. We'll see...

Thanks!!!

Use the Formby's Tung Oil, which aparently does protect the neck enough for the warranty. The stuff feels great.

[Shnook]

Cool, thanks for the tip. I use Formby's Lemon Oil for the necks on my Wolfgangs. I'll try the Tung Oil on my new Tele neck.

Thanks!

[riggergreg]

If you want to sell that other neck, Shoot me an Email.

[Shnook]

riggergreg,

Will do. Give me a few months and I'll probably be in touch.

[Soapbarstrat]

The Warmoth doesn't come with the frets milled level, but I'm guessing the other option does. One will be a better playing neck, in my opinion.

[BADFISH]

I have Four Warmoth Necks.... Super Stiff and dense maple. I use tung oil on the backs, no warping or problems. Warmoth is really the only company I have had Perfect Experience with. just my experience

[Shnook]

Thanks BADFISH,

That makes me feel a lot better. Were the necks you had made Tele necks? If so, how's the neck pocket fit?

Also, another question. Fender's website says the MIM Classic Tele's are 1.625 at the nut. Warmoth has the 1.58 width, is this gonna make any difference being that it's just a smidge?

[bwbass]

Also, another question. Fender's website says the MIM Classic Tele's are 1.625 at the nut. Warmoth has the 1.58 width, is this gonna make any difference being that it's just a smidge?

I think you mean 1 5/8", not 1.58" - we don't make any necks that width. 1 5/8" = 1.625" No difference! :)

[Dana]

I have a strat made of Warmoth parts, and it kicks butt!

I think if you go with the Warmoth Wolfgang with a satin finish you'll have what you're looking for, and it will still be under warranty.

Good luck. Pls post pics when it's all done.

[Shnook]

bwbass, Your absolutely right. Thanks for correcting me. Sometimes I type faster than I think.

[Shnook]

Thanks to all who have posted their thoughts. You've really helped me in making my decision. After talking to several of the stores here in town, it's probably gonna be cheaper to just have a new neck made at Warmoth the way I want it. And, I think I'm gonna go with a satin finish 'just to be safe.' Let me get the holidays over with and I'll get my order in. I'm jazzed! I'll post some pics too. This guitar keeps getting cooler.

Thanks!!!

[BADFISH]

Shnook, I Have Three Strat necks and one Tele neck. They Fit into the bodies perfect. They have it down . I always have trouble finding the perfect Neck (Back) thickness. So I always Buy the "FatBack" and sand the back of the neck down (slowly) until.....Viola!!! Perfect. It sounds like you have a killer guitar comming your way.

[Shnook]

Thanks BADFISH! Now I just need that Christmas bonus! :D