Telecaster Neck And Neck Pocket Dimensions

[Telecastermusic]

Hi, I have a telecaster body and neck. The neck is a perfect fit in the neck pocket, however, the neck appears too thick and the fretboard stands about thirteen mm above the body. Can anyone tell me the correct depth of the neck at the heel and how high the fretboard should be above the body. Also, what is the best way to reduce the thickness of the neck at the heel?

thanks, Ian

 

[guitarbuilder]

Here's my take on it all:

Typical numbers are the neck pocket is 5/8 deep. A neck is 1" thick. The neck sticks up 3/8". You can rout the neck pocket down. You can remove material ( maybe , depending on truss rod anchor) off the bottom the neck. You could put some material under the bridge to elevate it. Some people would recommend putting a shim at the front of the neck pocket at an angle, making the neck tilt up... which I think is bogus.

My logic is this. Which has more value and is more accurate? If it is a 30 dollar neck from China and the neck is too thick, I'd take it off the bottom of the neck. If the error is in the body, I'd fix the body. That is assuming your saddles won't go up that 1/8" or so to give you the correct action you like.

To remove the material from the neck, I'd scribe a line around it with a combination square and awl, and probably sand it on a belt sander, ensuring I don't go past the scribed line.

If I'm removing material from the pocket, I'd get a router with a large base, and use a short pattern bit to ride inside the pocket. It can also be done with some chiseling and router planing ( both hand tools) too.

 

[barbrainy]

 

[Telecastermusic]

 

[Captain Nutslot]

is ur neck heel 1 1/8"? kinda looks it... fenders are 1"
what bridge are ya using?

 

[Telecastermusic]

neck is 1"1/8.

 

[Telecastermusic]

Neck pocket is 17mm

 

[Captain Nutslot]

so the neck pocket is just about 5/8"

Personally, I would shape a brass plate (about an 1/8" thick )or something exactly the shape of the bottom of the ashtray bridge and unite them somehow.

There's plenty to consider though, as guitarbuilder said.

 

[RickyRicardo]

What is the thickness of the neck? Can we see the underside of the heel?

 

[Captain Nutslot]

What is the thickness of the neck? Can we see the underside of the heel?

he mentioned... 1 1/8"

 

[barbrainy]

neck is 1"1/8.

There's your problem. Standard neck heel thickness is around 1" / 24-25mm. Standard neck pocket around 16mm. As per the photo I posted already.

Guitarbuilder has already given all the advice needed on possible remedies.

 

[RickyRicardo]

Didn't see it beside the pic. Guitarbuilder has the answer. If it were me I'd do the neck pocket but I have the tools to do that. Don't know if the OP does.

 

[LeftFinger]

If it were me I would swipe the ole lady's lipstick and coat either the heel or the pocket ,assemble the neck and body , then take it apart and see where the color transference occurs.

 

[Tervo]

Didn't see it beside the pic. Guitarbuilder has the answer. If it were me I'd do the neck pocket but I have the tools to do that. Don't know if the OP does.

Me too. Considering You have a finished neck and an unfinished body, it would be much cleaner to remove those few millimeters from the neck pocket than the neck.

 

[RogerC]

If it were me I would swipe the ole lady's lipstick and coat either the heel or the pocket ,assemble the neck and body , then take it apart and see where the color transference occurs.

Not sure how that would help his situation

 

[LeftFinger]

Not sure how that would help his situation

The color transfer shows you where it's being held apart.Maybe I'm not understanding the problem but if 2 pcs won't fit together I like to see why.

 

[guitarbuilder]

The color transfer shows you where it's being held apart.Maybe I'm not understanding the problem but if 2 pcs won't fit together I like to see why.

Are you referring to the other threa

The color transfer shows you where it's being held apart.Maybe I'm not understanding the problem but if 2 pcs won't fit together I like to see why.

I could be wrong but are you are referring to yesterday's neck fitting thread?

http://www.tdpri.com/threads/les-paul-junior-ish-build-kit.609865/#post-6857558

If so, this thread has a different problem.

 

[LeftFinger]

What do you do read minds
cause that is the picture I had in my head

 

[guitarbuilder]

No mind reading, but your comment fit that thread issue better than this one

 

[RogerC]

Are you referring to the other threa



I could be wrong but are you are referring to yesterday's neck fitting thread?

http://www.tdpri.com/threads/les-paul-junior-ish-build-kit.609865/#post-6857558

If so, this thread has a different problem.

What do you do read minds
cause that is the picture I had in my head

Ok, NOW it all makes sense