Strat® Neck Custom Build

For the most part, right and left-handed necks are self-explanatory.

The only real differences between a true lefty neck and a reverse righty neck are the location of the side dots, the way the nut is slotted for strings, and some back profiles. All of these depend on whether or not the neck is being crafted for right-handed or left-handed play.

Standard Fender Scale 25 1/2" (25.5") for Guitar
The standard Fender scale length for guitars is 25 1/2 inches or 25.5 inches. This scale length is commonly used in traditional Fender-style guitars such as the Stratocaster and Telecaster. The scale length affects various aspects of a guitar's performance, including string tension, tone, and fret spacing.

Gibson 24 3/4" (24.75") Conversion Neck
Now let's explore the concept of a conversion neck, specifically the Gibson 24 3/4 inches or 24.75 inches scale length. This neck is designed to be installed on a standard 25.5 inches scale length guitar body, providing a different playing experience akin to that of Gibson-style guitars.

Jaguar 24" Scale – Replacement Neck
Lastly, let's discuss the Jaguar 24 inches scale length, which is the appropriate scale length for Fender Jaguar guitars. This shorter scale length offers its own distinct characteristics, setting it apart from other guitar types.

Standard Fender Scale 34" for Bass
Moving on to bass guitars, the standard scale length for traditional Fender-style basses such as the Precision Bass and Jazz Bass is 34 inches. The longer scale length in bass guitars has its own implications for playability and sound.

21-fret: These are commonly found on vintage-style guitars. A 21-fret neck does not have a fingerboard extension overhanging the heel end of the neck.

22-fret: These necks have a standard overhang of 0.3 inches (7.62 mm). You have the option to choose between a rounded fingerboard end, suitable for Strat® style guitars, or a squared-off fingerboard end, suitable for Charvel, Tele, and Banana 2 style guitars.

24-fret: Similar to 22-fret necks, these necks also have a standard overhang of 0.3 inches (7.62 mm). You can choose between a rounded fingerboard end, ideal for Strat® style guitars, or a squared-off fingerboard end, suitable for Charvel, Tele, and Banana 2 style guitars.

If you have any specific questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask!

Nut width options available:

1-5/8" (41.28mm): This nut width is suitable for those with smaller hands or those who prefer tighter string spacing. It is a common nut width option.

1.65" (41.91mm): This size is popular among vintage 50's and 60's Fender necks. If you're aiming for an accurate nut width for vintage-style guitars, this is the appropriate choice.

1-11/16 (42.86mm): This nut width is commonly used on most modern necks. It provides a bit more space between the strings compared to the narrower options.

1-3/4 (44.45mm): This nut width is designed for those with larger hands, as it allows for even more space between the strings.

7-string: The standard nut width is typically 1-7/8" (47.63mm). This size is compatible with both standard nuts and Floyd Rose tremolo systems.

It's important to choose a nut width that feels comfortable for your hand size and playing style.

Heel width: The heel width of a guitar neck is measured as the widest part of the neck at the butt end. The default heel width for guitar necks we offer is 2-3/16 inches (55.56 mm), which is the industry standard for Strats and Teles (Fender-sized). However, some Charvel replacement necks and certain other styles require a wider heel width of 2-1/4 inches (57.15 mm). Both widths are available, so it's important to measure your neck pocket or check the specifications required for your specific circumstances before placing an order.

Strat vs. Tele heel shape: It's worth noting that Strat necks have a rounded base to their heel, while Tele necks have a squared-off base to their heel. This difference in heel shape can make it difficult to interchange the two types of necks across various guitar bodies, depending on the routing they are designed for. To ensure compatibility, it's advisable to confirm the specific requirements before placing an order.

If you have any further questions or need assistance, feel free to ask!

Rock Maple: This is a versatile wood and a mainstay of the music industry. It works well with different body types and offers balanced tone with good overall sound.

Quarter Sawn Maple: This type of maple is known for its straight, strong, and rigid nature due to its 90-degree grain orientation. It enhances brightness and sustain in your tone and tends to require fewer adjustments. It is also less susceptible to seasonal shifting and changes.

Birdseye Maple (Select/Premium/Private Reserve): Birdseye Maple is characterized by small dark grain swirls or circles called "Birdseyes." The select grade has 2A-3A figuring, the premium grade has 4A quality, and the private reserve includes 5A+ and rare, unique examples of this wood type.

Pau Ferro: Pau Ferro is a tonewood that offers both great looks and sound. It belongs to the rosewood family and has a rich medium to darker tan/brown color. It serves as an affordable alternative to all-rosewood necks.

Indian Rosewood: Indian Rosewood is a top contender and a classic choice for warm, rich tone with good sustain. It offers a darker wood option for guitar necks, albeit at a higher price due to its rarity.

Limited Quantity Quarter Sawn Flame Maple: This is a special offering of curly flamed quartersawn maple for necks. Combining the rarity of quartersawn wood with flame figuring, it provides rigidity, stability, and brighter clear tones, along with an attractive appearance. It is available in Select Grade (3A figuring) and Premium Grade (4-5A figuring).

Please note that these descriptions are for informational purposes, and it's always a good idea to consider personal preferences and try out different wood options to find the best fit for your desired tone and aesthetics. If you have any further questions or need assistance, feel free to ask!

Rosewood: Rosewood is a commonly used wood for Fingerboards due to its durability, smooth texture, and rich tone. Different types of rosewood, such as Indian Rosewood and Brazilian Rosewood, offer distinct visual and tonal characteristics.

Maple: Maple is another widely used wood for Fingerboards. It is known for its bright tone, excellent sustain, and smooth playing surface. Maple fingerboards often have a light color and attractive grain patterns.

Ebony: ** Please note: As with alot of other woods, current day Ebony is not quite the same as it was years ago. It is not always completely jet black with no streaks or marks. True jet black Ebony is very rare and hard to come by these days. Most boards will have some very light streaking or minor variations in the wood which only affects the look of the wood slightly - it still has that same sleek feel and great tonal characteristics. If you order Ebony please understand that we cannot guarantee that it will be the traditional jet black version - it will likely have some very minor discolorations or streaks in it which is the accepted "new norm" industry wide. 

Macassar Ebony: Macassar Ebony is a variant of ebony with distinctive dark brown stripes running through its black background. This wood offers a unique aesthetic appeal while maintaining the tonal qualities and durability of ebony.

Pau Ferro: Pau Ferro, also known as Bolivian Rosewood, is a South American wood species that is becoming increasingly popular for fingerboards. It features a reddish-brown color, attractive grain patterns, and a warm, balanced tone.

Cocobolo: Cocobolo is an exotic wood known for its vibrant colors, ranging from reddish-brown to orange with dark streaks. It offers excellent sustain, a rich tone, and a visually stunning appearance.

These are just a few examples of the wood choices available for Fingerboards. Each wood type has its own unique characteristics, such as tonal properties, visual appeal, and feel under the fingers. It's essential to consider your personal preferences, playing style, and desired sound when choosing the right wood for your Fingerboard.

Slab-style Fingerboards: Slab-style Fingerboards are approximately 0.25" thick at the center and are glued flat onto the maple portion of the neck. This style involves using a solid piece of wood for the Fingerboard. The wood is typically chosen for its durability, tonal properties, and aesthetic appeal. Slab-style Fingerboards are often used with a standard neck construction and allow for the installation of different truss rod options.

Veneer-style Fingerboards: Veneer-style Fingerboards are approximately 0.11" thick and are glued over the maple portion of the neck that has already been radiused. In this style, a thin layer of wood, known as a veneer, is applied over the neck. The veneer is typically pre-radiused to match the desired fingerboard curvature. This style is commonly used when a specific radius or curvature is desired for the Fingerboard. It's important to note that the 59 truss rod option is not available with a veneer setup.

We offer a large variety of different fingerboard radius choices.

The radius of the fingerboard is expressed by a number (usually from 7-1/4″ to 16″). This number relates to the degree of curvature of the fingerboard from one side to the other when sighting the neck at the heel or headstock. The higher the number, the flatter the radius.

We also offer compound radius fingerboards.  A compound radius fingerboard starts at one radius at the nut and flattens out as it transitions to the heel of the neck. The compound radius is very popular with players who like to do a lot of chording and soloing all over the neck.

We offer finger board edges in 3 varieties:

Squared Off
The fingerboard edge, from the side of the neck to the face of the fingerboard, is square-shaped. Some feel this is too sharp, others prefer it this way so they can do their own rolling of the edges.

Semi Rolled
We roll the edges of the fingerboard just enough to break the sharp edge – without overdoing it – just enough to be comfortable. There is no extra charge for this.

Heavy Rolled
For those who prefer a more worn-in look and feel, the degree of roll on the edges is much greater. This is a labor-intensive process and subsequently includes an up-charge. Note: The Frets for this style of roll are beveled but not rolled to the extreme degree that the wood is, you would end up losing fret width and subsequently risk string slippage. 

11/32": This size is designed to fit Kluson-type tuners of vintage size. It has a hole diameter of 11/32". This size is commonly used for vintage-style tuners that require a larger diameter hole.

Vintage 2-step 11/32" on the face and 1/4" on the rear: This size is specifically designed to fit vintage Kluson-style tuners. It features a two-step design, with a 11/32" hole diameter on the face and a 1/4" hole diameter on the rear. This size is commonly used for vintage-style tuners that have a stepped shaft design.

10mm: This size has a hole diameter of 10mm and is the most common diameter for modern Schaller, Sperzel, and Gotoh-type tuners. It is a popular size for contemporary tuners commonly used in modern guitars.

It's important to note that we do not drill holes for the small set screws or pegs for tuning machines. Since there are many different models and styles of tuners on the market, and they have different hole locations, we recommend drilling these set screw holes at the time of setup and assembly of your guitar. This ensures proper placement based on the specific tuners you choose. If you're not comfortable drilling these holes yourself, we recommend seeking the assistance of a qualified technician or luthier to carry out this task.

If you require hole sizes outside of our displayed stock options, please get in touch with us, and we can discuss customization possibilities.

Black top dots: We typically use black top dots for maple necks. These dots provide a contrasting visual appearance against the light-colored maple wood and offer clear visibility.

White or imitation clay top dots: For darker boards, we offer white or imitation clay top dots. These dots are chosen to provide good visibility against the darker wood of the Fingerboard.

Abalone dots: We also offer very nice abalone dots for modern enthusiasts. These dots feature the beautiful and iridescent properties of abalone shell, adding an elegant touch to the Fingerboard.

Authentic aged clay dots: For vintage enthusiasts who appreciate authenticity, we provide authentic clay dots. These dots offer a traditional and vintage aesthetic, reflecting the classic style of older instruments.

Rosewood dots: As a tribute to vintage Charvel fans, we offer rosewood dots. These dots are made from rosewood, matching the Fingerboard wood and providing a cohesive and vintage look.

White Glow-In-The-Dark dots: Our newest addition to this category is our exclusive white Glow-In-The-Dark dots. These dots have a special feature that allows them to glow in the dark. They are particularly useful in dimly lit situations, helping you keep your place on the Fingerboard. These dots are favored by many professional musicians for their practicality and unique appearance.

These options cater to different preferences and styles, ensuring that our customers have a variety of choices when it comes to top dots for their Fingerboards.

Standard 2mm side markers: We provide standard 2mm side markers in a large variety of materials. These side markers are typically used for their functionality and serve as visual reference points on the side of the Fingerboard.

50/50 side dot placement: For 2-piece necks, we offer 50/50 side dot placement. This means that the side dots will be placed straight down the seam of the 2-piece neck, with half on the Fingerboard and half on the neck. This placement is reminiscent of the classic style used in the past.

Larger 3/32" dots: We also offer larger 3/32" side dots in black or white. These dots were standard on vintage Blackguard necks and are known for their larger size, providing better visibility on the side of the Fingerboard.

Luminlay Glow-in-the-dark side dots: Our newest addition to the side dot options is the Glow-in-the-dark side dots. These dots have a special feature that allows them to glow in the dark. They come in two colors: blue and green. The glow-in-the-dark feature ensures visibility in low-light or dark environments, aiding in keeping your position on the Fingerboard.

These various side dot options cater to different preferences, allowing our customers to choose the style, size, and material that best suits their needs and desired aesthetic.

German made Nickel Silver Wire: Our frets are made from 18% Nickel Silver, also known as German Silver. This material features a rich silver color that remains bright and tarnish-free over time. It provides dimensional accuracy, ensuring precise fret placement and a smooth playing experience.

EVO Gold Fret Wire: The EVO Gold fret wire is an alternative option for those who prefer a gold-colored look. This fret wire is slightly harder than standard nickel alloy but softer than stainless steel. It offers durability while maintaining good playability.

Stainless Steel Fret Wire: We also offer stainless steel fret wire in all of our most common sizes. Stainless steel is much harder than standard fret wire, resulting in increased durability and resistance to wear. It tends to brighten the sound of the neck, so it's important to consider this characteristic when selecting the specifications for your custom neck.

Our fretwork is meticulously done, ensuring smooth, level frets with beveled ends that are ready to play. We take into consideration string tension and pull, and the neck you receive should have a slight relief of a few thousandths of an inch without requiring a truss rod adjustment right out of the box. While our factory replacement necks typically do not require further fret tweaking, your setup needs may vary, and you may choose to have the frets adjusted by a professional luthier if desired.

We take pride in providing high-quality fretwork, and we believe that our frets are among the best in the business.

Kluson tuners are our go-to brand for tuner installs.

This brand has been around for a long time and is present in most Vintage Fender guitars. Installation of these tuners is only available with our Kluson-style tuner hole preparation.

These tuners are commonly found in Vintage Fender guitars, adding to the authentic vintage aesthetic.

Compatibility: Kluson tuners are designed to fit specific hole sizes, (11/32"), ensuring a proper fit and function.

Important Note: Kluson tuners will not fit on necks with the modern 10mm hole size.

Guitar Nut Installation

We offer a variety of nut installation options to cater to your specific needs and preferences. Each type of nut material brings its own unique characteristics and contributes to the overall tone and performance of your guitar.

Nut Options

Tusq

According to the Graphtech Website: TUSQ nuts produce more harmonics in the mid and upper range of guitars. They provide harmonically rich tones without the inconsistency often found in ivory, bone, or other natural materials. Unlike bone or ivory, TUSQ is designed to transfer the right frequencies efficiently from the strings to the guitar's body.

Bone

Bone remains the "king of nuts" and is the historically correct material for vintage guitars. A polished bone nut on a one-piece maple neck exudes a timeless appeal. Bone offers a very balanced tone, ensuring that the open strings are never too loud or shrill. It is also known for its longevity. Unbleached bone is preferred as it naturally self-lubricates, aiding in staying in tune when using a tremolo. Cosmetically, unbleached bone can be polished to a higher shine compared to bleached bone. At Musikraft, we prefer unbleached camel bone, which provides comparable tone and appearance to ivory with its even density.

Brass

Brass nuts are the epitome of classic tone, clarity, attack, and sustain. If you're seeking that vintage, sought-after guitar sound, look no further! Brass nuts have been a staple since the 70s and can be found on many iconic guitars.

Phenolic

The old red Phenolic nuts, reminiscent of the Charvel Pre-Pro guitars from the 70s and 80s, add a cool factor to your instrument. This phenolic material offers balanced tone and a slick surface, preventing strings from getting caught and causing tuning issues.

Floyd Rose

Made in Germany, the Floyd Rose locking nut is specifically designed for Floyd Rose Tremolo Systems. It provides stable tuning and secure string clamping, allowing for aggressive tremolo use without sacrificing tuning stability.

Neck Finish Options

When it comes to neck finishes, we provide a range of options, each with its own advantages. Please review the following choices and select the finish that suits your preferences:

Raw

Some clients prefer to receive the neck "Raw" without any finish applied. This option allows individuals to apply their own finish. However, please note that necks purchased without a finish are covered under warranty for only 30 days from the date of delivery. Any issues resulting from atmospheric conditions, such as warping or twisting, are not covered for necks shipped in a raw state. Please keep this in mind when choosing the "Raw" finish option.

Thin Lacquer Sealer

Our preferred pre-finish treatment involves a very thin application of lacquer, resulting in a semi-gloss look and feel. This treatment serves as a sealant for the neck and is sufficient to honor our warranty. The advantage of this option is that the neck is ready for additional coats of lacquer, whether clear or tinted, if desired. Please note that there is a $20 labor cost associated with this process. We do not offer tinted applications for the thin lacquer sealer finish.

Oil

For this option, we hand rub two coats of our own special blend of oils and buff the neck to achieve a satin finish. This results in a smooth and fast-playing neck. Depending on the amount of use, the neck may require future applications of oil. We now offer a tinted application called "Amber Tinted Oil," adding a warm hue to the finish.

Aged Oil

With the aged oil finish, we apply one coat of a special blend of oils that darkens the wood, giving the neck an aged appearance. We then hand rub two coats of clear oil, creating an aged satin look and feel. This finish option is particularly suited for Birdseye Maple, but may not have the same effect on Regular Maple.

As our shop has become increasingly busy, we have decided to focus more on our core business of building custom necks and bodies. While we offer thin lacquer sealer and oil finishes, please note that we discontinued full lacquer finishing services on necks and bodies some time ago. However, we can recommend two shops that provide excellent neck and body finishing options:

MJT Aged Finishes:

They have a longstanding reputation and offer a wide range of finish choices. We have a special arrangement with them, and if you choose their shop as the shipping address during checkout, we can provide "Free Shipping" to them. For inquiries regarding their finishing services, please contact MJT Aged Finishes directly. We will not answer finishing-related questions pertaining to external finishers.

If you have any further questions or require assistance in selecting the appropriate neck finish, please contact us. Our team is here to help and guide you through the process.

Fingerboard Finishes

We provide the option to apply Fingerboard oil to the finished neck. Our skilled technicians carefully apply the oil using a clean cloth rag, ensuring a precise and even coating. The oil is then allowed to dry before being buffed off. This application is designed to enhance the natural beauty of the wood and preserve its luster.

Please note that while Fingerboard oil is suitable for various types of wood such as Rosewood and Ebony, maple fingerboards are better suited for our Thin Lacquer sealer or our standard Neck oil applications. These finishes are specifically formulated to provide optimal protection and enhancement for maple fingerboards.

If you have any questions or require further information about our fingerboard finishes or the available options, please contact us. 

Administrative Up-Charge

The administrative up-charge is a fee specifically designated for special circumstances and incidentals that are not covered by our standard order menus. It is important to note that these charges do not apply to regular orders. We kindly request that you refrain from using this option unless specifically directed to do so by Musikraft sales personnel. If you have any questions or require further information regarding this administrative up-charge, please feel free to contact us. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Order Change

At Musikraft, we begin production on your order immediately, tailoring it to your custom specifications. We understand that sometimes changes may be necessary. Please take note of the following conditions regarding order changes:

Change Achievable at Current Production Stage: If the requested change can be accommodated at the current stage of production for your neck or body, a charge of $25.00 will apply.

Change Requires Restarting Production: If the requested change necessitates restarting production with a new neck or body, a restocking charge of 25% will be applied to the purchase price of the item.

We strive to fulfill your customization needs while also considering the progress made in production. If you have any questions or need further clarification regarding order changes, please don't hesitate to contact us. We are here to assist you throughout the process.