The Real Jake
TDPRI Member
Partscaster Practitioners,
I’m investigating which brands of parts-casters for Fender style guitars can hold their own against the products coming out of the fabled company in Corona California (and Mexico… sometimes Japan too).
Focusing on bodies and necks, SPECIFICALLY, I'm wondering which brands MIX well with Fender components, i.e. DO NOT result in complications, like neck dive or compromised playability/ functionality.
I learned the Fender+Squier lesson, in that:
FENDER Bodies + SQUIER Necks = Good!
SQUIER Bodies + FENDER Necks = PROBLEMS, mostly sever neck dive.
I’m a bit of a stickler with neck dive, I don’t like the band-aid solutions, like changing the strap buttons or adding weight to the body. Best way to avoid neck dive = join parts that naturally have a well-balanced weight. Squiers are just made of less dense wood varieties, sometimes the bodies are actually thinner than their American or Mexican counterparts. Put a heavy Fender neck on a light Squier body and it just doesn't feel right.
And before you ask who in the world would want a Squier neck on a premium Made in America Fender body, the point is it will work, functionallly, without the aforementioned defects. Many Squier necks are of decent quality, the offending brand name aside; give'em credit, they get the job done! I find American and MIM Fender parts mix just fine, no weight issues. I have some example pictures attached.
—Back to the original question, which parts casters parts do you recommend? Warmoth is, of course, American made an choice quality. What about the W.D. Music, All Parts, or Real Life Relics? The STRATOSPHERE company has some cool looking bodies of their own brand — at real affordable prices! -- in many interesting colors; How do they stack up in quality and functionality with Fender parts?
-TRJ
I’m investigating which brands of parts-casters for Fender style guitars can hold their own against the products coming out of the fabled company in Corona California (and Mexico… sometimes Japan too).
Focusing on bodies and necks, SPECIFICALLY, I'm wondering which brands MIX well with Fender components, i.e. DO NOT result in complications, like neck dive or compromised playability/ functionality.
I learned the Fender+Squier lesson, in that:
FENDER Bodies + SQUIER Necks = Good!
SQUIER Bodies + FENDER Necks = PROBLEMS, mostly sever neck dive.
I’m a bit of a stickler with neck dive, I don’t like the band-aid solutions, like changing the strap buttons or adding weight to the body. Best way to avoid neck dive = join parts that naturally have a well-balanced weight. Squiers are just made of less dense wood varieties, sometimes the bodies are actually thinner than their American or Mexican counterparts. Put a heavy Fender neck on a light Squier body and it just doesn't feel right.
And before you ask who in the world would want a Squier neck on a premium Made in America Fender body, the point is it will work, functionallly, without the aforementioned defects. Many Squier necks are of decent quality, the offending brand name aside; give'em credit, they get the job done! I find American and MIM Fender parts mix just fine, no weight issues. I have some example pictures attached.
—Back to the original question, which parts casters parts do you recommend? Warmoth is, of course, American made an choice quality. What about the W.D. Music, All Parts, or Real Life Relics? The STRATOSPHERE company has some cool looking bodies of their own brand — at real affordable prices! -- in many interesting colors; How do they stack up in quality and functionality with Fender parts?
-TRJ
. Imo has good as the warmoth and less money
