Allparts "V" Neck: New Life for MIM Tele

[ChicknPickn]

I've been working on an Allparts maple "Vintage Vee" neck for a few weeks now and finally put it on a 2001 MIM Tele body this weekend. I'm very happy with the way the project has turned out. I leveled and dressed the frets, cut my first nut, put a decent shellac finish on the neck, and ended up with a lower and cleaner sounding action than I've ever had on a guitar, with the possible exception of an old aluminum-necked Kramer, which is another story altogether.

Two things really stand out for me, having finally gotten the nut aligned properly. One thing is that the "V" profile really feels terrific. My other guitars are "C" profiles, and this neck really feels good in the hand and seems to provide more leverage for bending. This neck also has a 7.25 in. radius, while my other guitars are 9.5 or flatter. Initially, it seems to me that the 7.25 lends itself to easy chording and bending. The frets are said to be "vintage," but they look a little wider than some vintage frets I've seen.

The other thing that amazes me today is how different the old Tele sounds with a new neck. I hadn't anticipated how the sound might change. Without saying one is better than the other, there is an entirely different personality to the guitar now. I mean REALLY different. I would say "woodier," if that makes any sense. In any case, I like it. It's not as sharp sounding as the original maple neck - - just a little more honey in the tone. The new neck also has split-post Klusons, the first set I've ever bought or used. I really like the way the strings go on, leaving no nasty little string ends exposed. Thanks, Bubbanov, for the advice on the model.

Just thought I'd share this for anyone thinking about trying a different neck profile. The Allparts neck was unremarkable as grain goes, but workmanship in every other way is superb.

[JamonHamon]

Is it a hard V or a softer V neck
I think I would like to try a hard V

[PJ]

Those AllParts necks are dense and heavier than some stock Fender necks. They have great balance and sound terrific. I used one on a project and was very pleased with the result.

[ChicknPickn]

Originally Posted by JamonHamon

Is it a hard V or a softer V neck
I think I would like to try a hard V

I'm not an expert in this area, but I put my contour gauge on it and it looks more like a soft "v".

[boris bubbanov]

Sounds like an excellent upgrade.

The neck can have a major impact on the sound. I've gone a bit wild buying big aftermarket necks, but I get more satisfaction out of a neck swap than I'd ever expected, very understated how much the neck matters in the ownership and use of an electric guitar.

I'm embarrassed to say I may have spent over $ 750 on these Gotoh 'klusons' at the rate of $ 28.04 a set, maybe more than $ 750.

Chicknpickn, have you played a Jimmie Vaughan Strat neck, and if so, is this at all similar in girth, I mean, excepting the radius and fret size differences?

Much obliged.

Bubban0v

[ChicknPickn]

Bubban0v -

I've not had the pleasure of playing a Jimmy Vaughan Strat. I have but one Strat in my modest collection, a 50th Anniversary American Standard in Clapton colors. The neck is a "C", a nice, comfy one. I have blocked the tremolo with a Tremol-no device, which, as an aside, I recommend highly.

The measurements of the Allparts Vintage "V" include these:

Width/Thickness (Inches, digital caliper)

• Nut: 1.52/0.83

• Fret1: 1.60/0.80

• Fret12 1.92/0.88

If you'd like to see the contour, I can post a gauge picture or two.

Regards,
CP