Old "Original Fender Neck"

[Tele.man]

I'm a newbie, but I've checked out a number of the threads and there's a lot of Tele knowledge here, so I thought I'd throw this out.

I've just completed a Tele Thinline using a neck I bought about 6 years ago from a local luthier. The neck has a medallion on the back of the headstock stating that it is an "Original Fender Neck".

Is anyone aware of where this neck may have come from? Is it a Fender product or a licensed part?

It's been sitting for a while and the action is really low ... I've loosened the truss rod, but there's not much relief. Will the strings be enough to increase the action, or is there something else I should do?

BTW, It's a mahogony body with a Bigsby B5 with Kinman AVn60 pickups.

Thanks in advance Walter.

[Tedecaster]

As I recall, those were Fender replacement parts that were available from music stores, etc. in the '90's.

A far as not having any relief, you might try making sure the nut is loosened & string it up with some heavier gauge strings for a few weeks. I'd try a total set-up first.

[jkats]

In the mid-80s to early 90s, Fender sold unfinished vintage style maple and rosewood board Strat necks and Maple Tele necks. You can tell these by the medallion in the back of the headstock as shown on the picture. Fender then stopped selling these when (I believe) it started going after the replacement neck vendors before settling on the "Licensed by Fender" logo you see on Warmoth, Allparts, Mighty-Mite and W.D. replacement necks. For a brief period of time (late 90s-early 00s), Fender again sold vintage necks separately (this time, finished New American Vintage ones), but that too ended a few years ago. I have a 1986 medallion rosewood board Strat neck; it's on a Warmoth alder body and it's my # 1 Strat -- the neck is great!

[Tele.man]

I tried heavier strings and it didn't give it much relief, so I added washers under the bridge and that did the trick. The action is great and intonation is right on ... and you've got to look real hard to notice the washers.

[casterway]

I'd suggest removing the washers under the bridge, and instead using a bit of business card to shim the neck instead. Use a paper hole punch to make holes for the screws. Otherwise, nice looking guitar. I especially like the medallion. I've never seen one, makes it a bit unique. Congrats