Telecaster neck differences?

pushover · February 4th, 2008, 12:26 PM

The neck on my American standard tele got damaged during a move, and I need to replace it. I've been happy with the neck I have, so I'm looking for an exact replacement. Ideally I think I'd like to replace it with another Fender neck, rather than an aftermarket neck, but I'm soliciting opinions from the wisdom of the list members. As far as Fender necks are concerned I've notice they can be purchased on ebay, and they seem to cover the different options. Mexican necks, reissue necks, american necks, american standard necks, and occasionally a american deluxe neck. The closest replacements seem to be the american, or the american standard necks. Does anyone know what the differences are? Are there actual differences between the american necks (from the logos they look like they're from highway one models), and the american standard necks? Or are they essentially the same? And in general.. something I don't know about at all.. how do they aftermarket necks stack up? Obviously they are cheaper, but they may actually be just as good. Any suggestions are appreciated? Thanks...

fivenote · February 4th, 2008, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pushover

The neck on my American standard tele got damaged during a move, and I need to replace it.

How damaged? Lots of things can be fixed and there's a lot of expertise on this forum for making repairs. If it's fixable, you may be able to retain the value of your am std tele by keeping it all original. Got pics?

For replacement... you have many options and the opinions you'll get here will vary. You may want to use this as an opportunity to get something you'll like better - different radius, profile, finish, tuners, etc...

Robert(og) · February 4th, 2008, 02:41 PM

i agree, you may be better off taking the neck to a well known guitar luthier to have it repaired.

pushover · February 4th, 2008, 03:50 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. I don't have pix handy, but maybe I can take and post some later. The neck has a break in the headstock, two big gouges along the fretboard, and some chunks taken out of the back. One of the gouges popped out a part of a fret, and a few other frets were damaged and will need replacing. I did talk to a local repair guy and he basically was the one who recommended a new neck, saying that though it could be repaired the integrity would not be the same. I thought he was honest, as he doesn't make money if I buy a new neck. One of the comments about "retaining the value of the guitar" above is exactly what he told me about buying a new "Fender" neck. His comment was that I'd probably spend more on a repair than an aftermarket neck, and about the same as for a Fender neck. But that putting a new Fender neck on it would essentially make it good as new, and would better retain it's value over an aftermarket neck, or a repaired neck. Overall I'm happy/comfortable with the neck profile on the original neck, so I was really wondering wether I should pay the extra for a "american standard" neck, or get one of the american necks that looks like it comes off a Highway one? What, if anything, is the difference between them?

mellecaster · February 5th, 2008, 12:17 AM

On the earlier HWY 1 necks the serial# was more on the center of the headstock rear, while the American Standards Ser# was up on the tip...of course the later HWY 1 models have the changed Black Decal, which will detract resale value, to an informed buyer...I'd try to stick as close as you can, to the year of your Guitar, if you ever plan on selling it.

pushover · February 5th, 2008, 11:21 AM

Solid advice. Thanks. There seems to be some sort of balancing act between playability and resale value here that I can't really weigh. My intention, at least initially is to repair and keep the guitar to play :) Eventually I'll probably sell it, as it's a reasonably rare color (purple), but when I do I'll have to disclose that the neck was replaced. It seems to be about $50 more for a "american standard" neck on flea-bay. Is there really a difference between the american standard necks and the Hwy 1 necks? I've heard some different things. One person said they were the same, it was just the logo that was different. Another person said they were made differently. I don't know what/who to believe?

GilmourD · February 5th, 2008, 12:47 PM

Even if not under warranty, Fender will replace your neck. The main stipulation, though, is that they get the original neck so they can destroy it. I don't know how much it costs, though.

February 4th, 2008, 12:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
pushover NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Va Posts: 4	Telecaster neck differences? The neck on my American standard tele got damaged during a move, and I need to replace it. I've been happy with the neck I have, so I'm looking for an exact replacement. Ideally I think I'd like to replace it with another Fender neck, rather than an aftermarket neck, but I'm soliciting opinions from the wisdom of the list members. As far as Fender necks are concerned I've notice they can be purchased on ebay, and they seem to cover the different options. Mexican necks, reissue necks, american necks, american standard necks, and occasionally a american deluxe neck. The closest replacements seem to be the american, or the american standard necks. Does anyone know what the differences are? Are there actual differences between the american necks (from the logos they look like they're from highway one models), and the american standard necks? Or are they essentially the same? And in general.. something I don't know about at all.. how do they aftermarket necks stack up? Obviously they are cheaper, but they may actually be just as good. Any suggestions are appreciated? Thanks...

February 5th, 2008, 12:17 AM	#5 (permalink)
mellecaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 4,772 17 Photos	On the earlier HWY 1 necks the serial# was more on the center of the headstock rear, while the American Standards Ser# was up on the tip...of course the later HWY 1 models have the changed Black Decal, which will detract resale value, to an informed buyer...I'd try to stick as close as you can, to the year of your Guitar, if you ever plan on selling it. __________________ I have never owned an Ipod or Blackberry..and doubt that I ever will......

February 5th, 2008, 12:47 PM	#7 (permalink)
GilmourD Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Nutley, NJ Age: 29 Posts: 1,568	Even if not under warranty, Fender will replace your neck. The main stipulation, though, is that they get the original neck so they can destroy it. I don't know how much it costs, though. __________________ Good deals: Joel Terry Layla Skye Sunny Wally Franky Honey Wolfy

February 4th, 2008, 02:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
Robert(og) Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: crawfordsville In. Age: 22 Posts: 128	i agree, you may be better off taking the neck to a well known guitar luthier to have it repaired.

February 4th, 2008, 03:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
pushover NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Va Posts: 4	Thanks for the suggestions. I don't have pix handy, but maybe I can take and post some later. The neck has a break in the headstock, two big gouges along the fretboard, and some chunks taken out of the back. One of the gouges popped out a part of a fret, and a few other frets were damaged and will need replacing. I did talk to a local repair guy and he basically was the one who recommended a new neck, saying that though it could be repaired the integrity would not be the same. I thought he was honest, as he doesn't make money if I buy a new neck. One of the comments about "retaining the value of the guitar" above is exactly what he told me about buying a new "Fender" neck. His comment was that I'd probably spend more on a repair than an aftermarket neck, and about the same as for a Fender neck. But that putting a new Fender neck on it would essentially make it good as new, and would better retain it's value over an aftermarket neck, or a repaired neck. Overall I'm happy/comfortable with the neck profile on the original neck, so I was really wondering wether I should pay the extra for a "american standard" neck, or get one of the american necks that looks like it comes off a Highway one? What, if anything, is the difference between them?

February 5th, 2008, 11:21 AM	#6 (permalink)
pushover NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Va Posts: 4	Solid advice. Thanks. There seems to be some sort of balancing act between playability and resale value here that I can't really weigh. My intention, at least initially is to repair and keep the guitar to play :) Eventually I'll probably sell it, as it's a reasonably rare color (purple), but when I do I'll have to disclose that the neck was replaced. It seems to be about $50 more for a "american standard" neck on flea-bay. Is there really a difference between the american standard necks and the Hwy 1 necks? I've heard some different things. One person said they were the same, it was just the logo that was different. Another person said they were made differently. I don't know what/who to believe?