Baja Tele neck is how thick, exactly?

[Wannabeplayer]

Hi forum! New member here. I've come across your forum a lot while searching the web, and you seem like an exceptionally helpful and unsnobbish crew! So I figured I'd ask my question here:

I've been wanting to get a Fender for the first time and I think I want a Telecaster. I've been eying the MIM Baja Telecaster (the FSR White Blonde, specifically), because of all the glowing reviews and recommendations all over the web.

I live in a remote corner of the world and trying one before I buy is simply not possible. So I'll have to take a leap of faith and order online.

Thing is, I'm kinda concerned about the thickness of the neck! Some posters/reviewers have stated that it's unplayably/uncomfortably thick. I have smallish hands, but I've never had a problem with thick necks before (my experience is limited), so I'm wondering whether the Baja Tele neck is the extraordinarily thick monster that some people make it out to be!


I have two electric guitars with thick necks: A LP Studio 50s tribute and a PRS Santana SE: Would you say that the Baja Tele neck is considerably thicker than those?

 

[Flaneur]

If you like 50s Gibson necks, a Baja will be fine

 

[telecaster123]

No, it`s not extremely thick at all. I played one yesterday, very comfortable neck.

Go for it Good luck!

 

[FredDairy]

Yeah what is the depth at the first fret?

 

[66Satellite]

I think you just have to try it.

 

[Telemarkman]

I live in a remote corner of the world and trying one before I buy is simply not possible. So I'll have to take a leap of faith and order online.

Trondheim remote? What about Kragerø? No chance of trying any guitar here ... Well, except for a Morgan.

While I haven't played a Baja, I HAVE read lots of threads on this forum dealing with different Tele necks, and my impression is that the Baja neck is just a little thicker than the pre-2012 model '52RI, which wasn't really very thick at all. The only HUGE Tele neck belongs on the CS '51 Nocaster.

 

[telecaster123]

Agree, the Nocaster is huge, but the Baja isn`t anywhere near that.

Velkommen til forumet forresten

 

[felis]

A rough measurement:
image removed

PS I’ve tried several Baja’s from different production years. To me, the necks all felt slightly different.
I also had the chance to compare 3 new Baja’s at the same time (Musikmesse 2011), there was a noticeable difference between them.
The thickest neck I’ve felt on a Baja was from a 2011 model, even visually, there was no transition from the backside of the headstock to the neck.

 

[Restless Native]

Hi, I have smallish hands and love both my Bajas. Yes one is slightly bigger than the other but both are comfortable. I have only had problems with two guitars in my life and both were mostly to do with the added space to stretch because of nut width (ie every Spanish/Classical guitar I've tried, or my Martin 000-28EC). The 000 is also almost unplayable for me above the 9th fret due to depth of neck close to the body too. My 62 Hot Rod Strat has a big neck too but I still find that comfortable too. Give the Bajas a go, you won't be sorry. For the record I am 5' 5" tall and slightly built if that matters so smallish hands are in proportion for me and I love my Bajas, even more than my Roadworn and that's saying something!!!

 

[gtram]

Its thick but comfortable with that soft V shape.

 

[superbadj]

my baja had zero V shape. It was a full c. About .89 or .90 at the first fret.

My AllParts TMO-V necks are deeper--usually about .94 or so. Maybe more. But they have a definite V shape that really makes them feel not quite as full as the more bulbous Baja neck.

I liked the one I had...but wasn't as fond of the larger frets. So I sold it on.

 

[Ringo]

I don't have a way to measure the thickness of the Baja neck that I have, it's a fairly big fat neck, but it's pretty comfortable to me, it does feel a lot different than my Am Special Strat maple neck.

Mine doesn't seem to have any V to it, just a full C shape.

 

[Solrac Kai]

I have smaller hands, if you play golf I wear a cadet glove. I have no problems with my baja

 

[JKPickin]

I have small hands as well, the Baja neck is very comfortable


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[Wannabeplayer]

Thanks for all your helpful replies!

I'm encouraged to just go for it! That White Blonde FSR is just to pretty to pass up, seeing it's a limited run.

How about the S1/4-position switch? Do you Baja players use the extra sounds a lot? You can get out-of-phase strat type tones from it, or so I understand.

I'm also thinking of adding a Bigsby down the line, so I figure it'll be a very versatile axe!

 

[Wannabeplayer]

What about Kragerø?

 

[Twang Tone]

I've never measured either of my Bajas necks, but I'd say they are comfortably thick, without being too big, if that makes sense? Also, ignore the term Fender use ("soft V"), because it's nearer to a U shape than a V.

Thanks,

 

[LohnnyL]

I remember the one I tried didn't feel thick at all. Not thin either...
Takes a minute to get used to the V shape that pokes you in the hand and then its very comfortable.

 

[Iceman]

I agree the Baja neck is more a full c as compared to the soft V on my CP 50's Strat; But highly recommended. Modern C is not for me!

I like the S1 switch for a Robbie Robertson kind of sound on The Band's early albums, especially through a pignose.

 

[ieatlions]

I have large hands. I sold my Baja purely because of the neck. It was too thick for my taste and I couldn't get to grips with the v-profile (mine had a prominent soft V shape)

The guitar itself was excellent in every other way! I found after 30mins of really playing hard I was experiencing fatigue. The neck was deeper than my les paul deluxe and les paul custom.

I'm currently playing a 50's roadworn Tele and find the neck spot on. Not as thin as modern C and not as thick as a Baja.

If the price is right, you might as well give it a go as they they're easily saleable.