Third Party Fender Necks n Bodies

[adam79]

I wanna put together a either a Strat or Tele w/ a Mahogany body n Mahogany neck n Ebony fretboard.

I found a Strat neck by The STRATosphere. Anyone know of this company? The neck is really cheap, like $179, compared to the $600 Fender USA ones.

Are there better third party companies that I should check out? Just looking for some advice/suggestions. This will be my first go at putting a guitar together.

Thanks.

 

[Nightclub Dwight]

Stratosphere is a vendor who sells parts. As far as I know, they don't manufacture anything. That being said, I bought a Japanese Tele body from them many years ago and I have been very happy with that purchase. They might be a little more expensive than other sources, but they have a great selection and I've never heard anything bad about them.

Post more information about the neck your are considering. In general, as long as it is from one of the major aftermarket manufacturers, it will be fully compatible with a Fender body. But of course there are always exceptions, which is why you should give us more information so that we know what you're dealing with.

 

[Reedo]

From what I've been told, Stratosphere buy full guitars and part them out? Therefore making more money than actually selling the guitar complete.

 

[Chunkocaster]

The Stratosphere part new guitars out and they are also on sellers of allparts, custom guitars and mighty mite, wd. They have been around for years. I have bought many necks, fully loaded new bodies, pickguards etc from them. All good.

The neck you are looking at is probably an allparts or mighty mite? Could be a cheap fender or squire neck although they still have the decals on them so easy to tell. They also describe in detail what the item is.

The best deal on necks they have are on Allparts unfinished necks imo. They are my go to necks.

 

[Lefty Addams]

From what I've been told, Stratosphere buy full guitars and part them out? Therefore making more money than actually selling the guitar complete.

That's exactly what they do, good enough service though imo

 

[adam79]

Post more information about the neck your are considering. In general, as long as it is from one of the major aftermarket manufacturers, it will be fully compatible with a Fender body. But of course there are always exceptions, which is why you should give us more information so that we know what you're dealing with.

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5338148343&icep_item=383041180294

I'm not sure if I'm into the 12" radius; Strats are usually 9.5", ya?

I've always wanted to build my own guitar, whether it be buying all the parts separately or designing one on the Warmoth page.. I've just been really hesitant cuz there aren't any refunds.
I'm really picky about what I like, so there's a ton of risk involved for the money it'll end up costing me. Altho, if I do like it, the payoff will be huge.

 

[Reedo]

That's exactly what they do, good enough service though imo

I thought I had read it right. It's good to know, if I need any parts for the future.

 

[Lefty Addams]

I thought I had read it right. It's good to know, if I need any parts for the future.

Well even though you have import charges and that stuff, it's sometimes worth it to get the right parts, esp. when you're lefty.

 

[Reedo]

Well even though you have import charges and that stuff, it's sometimes worth it to get the right parts, esp. when you're lefty.

Yes, I should imagine left hand parts from Fender directly, would be in very short supply.

 

[radiocaster]

I wanna put together a either a Strat or Tele w/ a Mahogany body n Mahogany neck n Ebony fretboard.

I found a Strat neck by The STRATosphere. Anyone know of this company? The neck is really cheap, like $179, compared to the $600 Fender USA ones.

Are there better third party companies that I should check out? Just looking for some advice/suggestions. This will be my first go at putting a guitar together.

Thanks.

A mahogany neck with an ebony fretboard is a pretty rare thing. Other places to look are custom neck/body makers like Warmoth, Musikraft and Guitar Mill.

 

[boris bubbanov]

I wanna put together a either a Strat or Tele w/ a Mahogany body n Mahogany neck n Ebony fretboard.

I found a Strat neck by The STRATosphere. Anyone know of this company? The neck is really cheap, like $179, compared to the $600 Fender USA ones.

Are there better third party companies that I should check out? Just looking for some advice/suggestions. This will be my first go at putting a guitar together.

Thanks.

I'm interested in dating this woman. I think a romance of maybe 3-7 weeks would be fun. Nothing serious, of course.

Trouble is, I have to break up her marriage to do so and her husband, while not a friend of mine, is a real decent guy and really well admired in my state. Also, the three children they have adopted will have to go into foster care and one day in the future, two of those three will die young of drug overdoses.

What do you guys think? Isn't it a great idea?

+

My suggestion is, don't want what you think you want. Pieces parts from Stratosphere are either a medium to serious disappointment, and when they're not you can be pretty sure a really cool guitar was busted up that really should have been someone else's #1.

+

Unless you happen to be ultra-savvy and "win" Stratosphere parts super cheap in the Auction context, you are going to pay more than you think. If you do the Buy It Now there is no truth that you will be saving money and certainly not in the amount your Thread suggests.

+

I have Empathy for the Lefty Guitar guys here, and for someone trying to track down a very rare single last remaining part they need to complete a vintage restoration or something. The only other thing worthwhile about Stratosphere is their pictures are excellent and quite accurate and most useful in helping a fellow know (for example) which routs a Model X Fender guitar will have without tearing one apart.

+

Ever seen a roadside sign and it says Pickering Caverns and Lake, 4 miles? And so you make the turn and drive 3.5 miles and there's a second sign for the place and it says "3 miles". And so you drive another 2.5 miles and there's a third sign that says "1.5 miles". And it ends up being another 3 miles beyond that? That's what happens to the typical Stratosphere buyer. He intends and plans to spend $ 179 but then he's got all this time and expectations tied up in the planned purchase and before he knows it he ends up paying almost $ 400. It is just hard on the human heart and spirit to quit when you're already half committed. With kindest regards you are kidding yourself about the final cost on this project.

 

[Freeman Keller]

No experience with Stratospher necks or bodies -but I have worked with both Warmoth and Mighty Mite necks. The Warmoth were far better quality and you have a wide range of options including choosing your woods (within reason). All of the Mighty Mite necks have required fretwork, Ken Warmoth says theirs do also but IMHO they are much better.

Ebony on mahogany will probably be a custom neck - there are some folks here who could make it for you.

 

[jamieorc]

A mahogany neck with an ebony fretboard is a pretty rare thing. Other places to look are custom neck/body makers like Warmoth, Musikraft and Guitar Mill.

Since you say you are picky, or as I like to say, very specific, about what you like, consider calling a couple of the more reputable parts suppliers and get in a conversation with someone at the company. It'll likely save you time and aggravation and get you closer to what you want than just filling out a web form.

* Sound Guitar Works (formerly Best Guitar Parts) has been getting some notice after a bunch of USA Custom Guitar's techs left for that company ( https://www.soundguitarworks.com formerly https://www.bestguitarparts.com )

* Musicraft

* Warmoth

* USA Custom Guitars

Since this is your first, consider getting prefinished parts. No matter what you choose, have a lot of patience, go slowly, test on scrap when appropriate, etc. Check out Ron Kirn's free books and web links for many aspects of building, finishing, and setup.

 

[nojazzhere]

I'm interested in dating this woman. I think a romance of maybe 3-7 weeks would be fun. Nothing serious, of course.

Trouble is, I have to break up her marriage to do so and her husband, while not a friend of mine, is a real decent guy and really well admired in my state. Also, the three children they have adopted will have to go into foster care and one day in the future, two of those three will die young of drug overdoses.

What do you guys think? Isn't it a great idea?

+

My suggestion is, don't want what you think you want. Pieces parts from Stratosphere are either a medium to serious disappointment, and when they're not you can be pretty sure a really cool guitar was busted up that really should have been someone else's #1.

+

Unless you happen to be ultra-savvy and "win" Stratosphere parts super cheap in the Auction context, you are going to pay more than you think. If you do the Buy It Now there is no truth that you will be saving money and certainly not in the amount your Thread suggests.

+

I have Empathy for the Lefty Guitar guys here, and for someone trying to track down a very rare single last remaining part they need to complete a vintage restoration or something. The only other thing worthwhile about Stratosphere is their pictures are excellent and quite accurate and most useful in helping a fellow know (for example) which routs a Model X Fender guitar will have without tearing one apart.

+

Ever seen a roadside sign and it says Pickering Caverns and Lake, 4 miles? And so you make the turn and drive 3.5 miles and there's a second sign for the place and it says "3 miles". And so you drive another 2.5 miles and there's a third sign that says "1.5 miles". And it ends up being another 3 miles beyond that? That's what happens to the typical Stratosphere buyer. He intends and plans to spend $ 179 but then he's got all this time and expectations tied up in the planned purchase and before he knows it he ends up paying almost $ 400. It is just hard on the human heart and spirit to quit when you're already half committed. With kindest regards you are kidding yourself about the final cost on this project.

So what are you saying, Boris.....just forget putting a partscaster together and give Ron Kirn a call?
And as to the woman you want to date......is she really hot? We need pics!

 

[BorderRadio]

I've bought from Stratosphere--Allparts necks, Fender necks, various parts. They price name brand parts according to a percentage of the same guitar's new price, with some fluff on top. If you want it bad enough, you'll pay for it, and this model has kept them in business, where time is being saved for the extra money spent. That's why I bought a Squier JMJM rosewood neck from them--maybe a Ed O'Brien Strat neck too, I forget.

There are cheaper ways to build a guitar, but Stratosphere works when you know it's what you want. If you're not sure, or the results end up not being satisfying, know that you're sitting with parts that you may have to take a hit on when you sell them on to the next person.

Also, those MIA Fender necks are way too expensive for what you get. If you're a stickler for every spec, I'd get a Warmoth or Musikraft and save a few hundred. You'll get exactly what you want that way.

 

[guitarbuilder]

I have problems with people parting out vintage guitars just to make a few more dollars. I don't have an issue with people parting out nearly new cookie cutter guitars that were designed to be interchangeable. . If Fender were smart, they'd offer all the assemblies and take a share of that market.

 

[radiocaster]

This place seems to do them too, the site is kind of weird though.
http://www.bestguitarparts.com/cust...lay_std/sidedots_std/heelshape_round/wood.php

 

[Freeman Keller]

Adam, one thing that is really important with any neck is does it meet the players requirements for shape, depth, width and fretboard radius? Once again, a custom neck can address these or you can rely on a manufacturer to make something that you will like when you get it. A minor but possibly significant factor might be where the neck is made - many are PacRim imports which might affect quality and certainly will limit wood options. Domestic necks will certainly cost more but might have some advantages.

I put this guitar together for a friend - he ordered a rosewood Warmoth neck with a rose fretboard, no marker dots, no finish, side adjusting Gotoh truss rod, 12 inch radius.... Very nice neck and exactly what he wanted

I personally don't like heel adjust truss rods but the Gotoh side adjuster is really cool.

 

[nojazzhere]

Adam, one thing that is really important with any neck is does it meet the players requirements for shape, depth, width and fretboard radius? Once again, a custom neck can address these or you can rely on a manufacturer to make something that you will like when you get it. A minor but possibly significant factor might be where the neck is made - many are PacRim imports which might affect quality and certainly will limit wood options. Domestic necks will certainly cost more but might have some advantages.

I put this guitar together for a friend - he ordered a rosewood Warmoth neck with a rose fretboard, no marker dots, no finish, side adjusting Gotoh truss rod, 12 inch radius.... Very nice neck and exactly what he wanted

View attachment 624186 View attachment 624187

I personally don't like heel adjust truss rods but the Gotoh side adjuster is really cool.

I was a little leery about the side adjustment on my Warmoth when I got it, but that was the only choice on the "conversion" neck. I now actually find it very convenient, and it leaves the headstock looking very clean.

 

[adam79]

Adam, one thing that is really important with any neck is does it meet the players requirements for shape, depth, width and fretboard radius? Once again, a custom neck can address these or you can rely on a manufacturer to make something that you will like when you get it. A minor but possibly significant factor might be where the neck is made - many are PacRim imports which might affect quality and certainly will limit wood options. Domestic necks will certainly cost more but might have some advantages.

I put this guitar together for a friend - he ordered a rosewood Warmoth neck with a rose fretboard, no marker dots, no finish, side adjusting Gotoh truss rod, 12 inch radius.... Very nice neck and exactly what he wanted

I personally don't like heel adjust truss rods but the Gotoh side adjuster is really cool.

I'm thinking I might give Warmoth a go. It's kinda scary buying a non returnable guitar that I've never played or plugged in, but everyone I've seen comment on their experience with them seems really happy with what they got.

Warmoth must have a neck shape that replicates the Fender Modern C that's on alot of Strats and Mustangs, ya? I love how those play, but always wish they sounded closer to a Les Paul. If I remember correctly, Warmoth even has an option for a Maple cap. Maybe I can end up getting my favorite parts of these guitars....