Should I get the Warmoth 720 mod — and why does this Telecaster deviate from standard measurements?

[PRide]

Hey, I have ordered a Warmoth Telecaster body with:
— Hipshot hardtail mounting holes
— Wood-mount humbucker
— Single coil neck
— 720 mod

I plan to install this Fender Satin Roasted Maple Telecaster Neck.

If I'm honest, I didn't think the 720 mod through and now wonder if I made a mistake.

Warmoth have said it's $160 to restart the process. I'd rather pay this than get a body that doesn't play nicely with the Hipshot bridge.

The 720 mod lowers the neck pocket from .625" (16mm) to .720" (18.29mm).

I now have my hands on this Telecaster HH (Mexican) with a Hipshot .125 bridge.

As you can see, the bridge fits perfectly. However, the grub screws are close to the top — so it can't get away with being any lower). Especially as I palm mute heavily.

So that extra 2.29mm pocket depth from the 720 mod sounds like a mistake that will make my bridge too low.

However, I've now measured this Telecaster and it doesn't seem to align with normal measurements.

A Telecaster neck is typically one inch thick at the heel
— That's 25.4mm deep (sorry, I'm European!)
— My neck looks like it's around 24mm deep

A Telecaster pocket is typically 5/8 deep
— That's 15.88mm
— My pocket looks like it's around 17mm deep

A Telecaster fretboard typically sits 3/8 off the body.
— That's 9.53 mm
— My fretboard is just 7mm off the body.

So in conclusion, my fretboard is already 2.53mm lower than typical Fender measurements.

The 720 mod will lower the pocket by 2.29mm.

So if the Warmoth body and the Fender neck are standard measurements then the fretboard will end up at almost exactly the same height.

This is great news.

But will they be the standard measurements?

And why are the pocket and neck different on this Mexico Fender Telecaster HH?

 

[AAT65]

Remember the fretboard isn’t flat. The neck thickness is measured at the centre where it is thickest: so your neck is more than 24mm thick, maybe quite close to 25.4mm as expected (for a 7.25” radius I think the drop from centre to edge of the fingerboard is about 1.2mm).

Also remember that MIM Tele has a finish on it which could be more than 1mm thick, where I am sure the neck pocket dimensions quoted by Fender or Warmoth are for bare wood.

What interested you about “720” mod?

 

[PRide]

Remember the fretboard isn’t flat. The neck thickness is measured at the centre where it is thickest: so your neck is more than 24mm thick, maybe quite close to 25.4mm as expected (for a 7.25” radius I think the drop from centre to edge of the fingerboard is about 1.2mm).

What interested you about “720” mod?

Damn. You're exactly right — looks like it's 25mm in the middle, when level.

I just liked the aesthetic idea of a flush neck and (foolishly) didn't consider the geometry.

Do you think it's a fail for my goals?

I'd rather pay the $160 if so.

 

[AAT65]

Yeah I think you might need to bite the bullet and get the standard neck pocket — or use a shim. You could do a full-pocket 2mm shim or a thinner butt-end shim to elevate the strings at the bridge.

 

[PRide]

Yeah I think you might need to bite the bullet and get the standard neck pocket — or use a shim. You could do a full-pocket 2mm shim or a thinner butt-end shim to elevate the strings at the bridge.

Cheers for the advice!

The body has already cost a lot including shipping.

I don't want to end up with a 2mm shim after all that money.

Sounds like I'd better pony up the $160!

 

[gonzo]

but...

if you found the right bridge, it would still work out...
no scratchplate...
low action.

 

[Hodgo88]

Why not just cut / file / procure shorter grub screws? A set of 12 from McMaster Carr will be so much cheaper than $160…

 

[Hodgo88]

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

 

[Jupiter]

those grub screws are close to the top, but not actually sticking out yet

they could mebbe even stick out a little bit without it feeling all that bad

strong agree with hodgo88 tho, that if the geometry works out, some shorter grub screws are the easiest solution, whether you buy em or grind em (not opening THAT can of worms lol)