Which aftermarket replacement neck?

[greytop]

I have a cv thin line that I put a 50's reissue neck on the day I bought it (stock neck is long gone). I always thought I liked the soft v or v shaped 7.25 radius and never even considered anything else.

Recently I lucked into a package deal on two HWY 1's, a strat and a tele and I'm loving the 9.5 radius, modern c shape on those necks. I'm considering replacing my 50's neck with a modern c 9.5.

Due to still having 4 kids in the house and Christmas right around the corner, my budget is limited. Where should I look?

[LuvN Guitars]

Originally Posted by greytop

I have a cv thin line that I put a 50's reissue neck on the day I bought it (stock neck is long gone). I always thought I liked the soft v or v shaped 7.25 radius and never even considered anything else.

Recently I lucked into a package deal on two HWY 1's, a strat and a tele and I'm loving the 9.5 radius, modern c shape on those necks. I'm considering replacing my 50's neck with a modern c 9.5.

Due to still having 4 kids in the house and Christmas right around the corner, my budget is limited. Where should I look?

OK, a few suggestions.

Currently Musikraft (through their ebay outlet Jameson Guitars) are doing good deals on necks ($175USD), you pick the fretboard radius, fret size, nut width and back profile. They make very good necks.

Allparts have necks which fit your specs, expect arround $140-160, you'll need a little more set up work than with Musikraft.

Mighty Mite necks fit your specs and run at about 90 to 120 bucks and the quality is pretty good based on the dozen or so I've handled or worked on over the years. There's also an ebay seller who has MM necks with a full fret level, dress and polish for arround 30-40 bucks more per neck. I haven't seen one of those necks but his feedback is good.

I'm sure there are other options, but those 3 are brands I've had experience with across numerous necks, not just one or two examples.

I'm sure you'll get more suggestions from other members.

[boris bubbanov]

If you really like the stock Highway necks this much, you should seek another out and buy that.

I am happy to sign the praises of my aftermarket USACG, Warmoth and Allparts necks. Most especially the USACG. But always the #1 reason why these things got bought is they come in sizes and with specifications I just cannot find in parted out necks. If in contrast you DO like the very specs I am working to get away from, go with it and just practice more with the time you have saved. Yes I think they are better but I end up doing a LOT of finishing on them and that time really adds up.

[moparmutt]

warmoth

[mellecaster]

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

If you really like the stock Highway necks this much, you should seek another out and buy that.

That would seem to be the sensible route in my mind.

[WrapAround]

USACG is better than anything else.

[twangster2]

I have 2 Allparts necks. Quality is top notch, price is great, just expect to do some fret finish work and a nut install.

[zeke54]

Originally Posted by twangster2

I have 2 Allparts necks. Quality is top notch, price is great, just expect to do some fret finish work and a nut install.

+1 I also have bought a couple Allparts necks , and I am completely satisfied .

[tele12]

If money is tight no need to rush into this. Play the new Tele and Strat and enjoy them. Keep a lookout on Ebay for a really great deal on a HWY neck, be patient.

[Chet Johnson]

Sell the '50s neck on eBay and that'll fund buying another USA fender neck like the hwy one ?

[Roku]

I'll just jump in and say I've got an allparts rosewood neck on my #1. Great neck, solid feel quality's good as any neck on any guitar I've played. Used to work at a music store played A LOT of guitars. CS and vintage, get it set up right and you'll be happy.

[muzicmaken]

Originally Posted by moparmutt

warmoth

+1 GREAT necks....

[Martinp]

I've had excellent results with both Warmoth and Musikraft, nice work all around. Mighty Mite is a lower cost option, but you'll probably end up putting the money you save into into a fret level, that and you may have trouble getting some one on EBay to properly describe the Neck Specs.
The upside with musikraft and warmoth is that you can get some ridiculously gorgeous flamey wood, which I kinda like.
I've also heard good things about USACG, but I have no first hand experience, and, they have a slightly misshapen headstock, which I'm told can be resolved by a few minutes with a sanding block.

[Old Cane]

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

If you really like the stock Highway necks this much, you should seek another out and buy that.

Yeah, I thought it was pretty obvious, too.

[mellecaster]

Originally Posted by Old Cane

Yeah, I thought it was pretty obvious, too.

Cane...that's cause you were being Practical....doesn't seem to work to well

around here at times......

[Old Cane]

At least nobody has said "use bigger strings" yet.

[Weazel]

Use bigger strings.

[Old Cane]

I feel better now.

[Weazel]

Originally Posted by Old Cane

I feel better now.

Good;-)

[trawls]

Happy with the Warmoth on my custom strat. It is 1 11/16 with a compound radius, a little flatter than the usual Fender. Feels good when switching back and forth to Gibson or Gretsch hollow bodies..