Neck too big by 1/8 of an inch?

[AntAir267]

I bought a new neck for my precision, but it's too big for the neck pocket by 1/8 of an inch. What should I do and how should I do it?

EDIT: I took it to my local music store (not Guitar Center); they said a luthier would have to cut the neck pocket and their luthier would be coming in on Wed. to give me a quote.

[loinmute]

You could enlarge the body pocket, but I would suggest sending it back. If anything the heel should be a millimeter small to allow for thermal expansion at the neck joint. Too tight of a fit could crack the finish and possibly crack worse than that. I am not saying my suggestion is the "word' just my advice.

[Phendyr_Loon]

Is the body a real fender p? If so I'd see if you can send the neck back. I wouldn't destroy the original neck pocket dimensions. Fender licensed necks like Mighty Mite or Allparts are exact replacements and I've never had any problems with MM necks.

[AntAir267]

It's a 1993 Squier Precision and the new neck is a recently made (I forgot what year) Squier Jazz Neck.

[Rick Auricchio]

So it's not a neck for a P? That explains why it doesn't fit.

[JohnL]

I thought the neck pocket dimensions were the same on P & Js. I have a USA J neck on an older USA P body that fit perfectly, but I guess Squiers may be different?

[Turnaround]

Originally Posted by loinmute

If anything the heel should be a millimeter small to allow for thermal expansion at the neck joint.

Thermal expansion in wood is insignificant. Moisture, on the other hand, has a very significant effect on dimensional change.

I know... it's probably what you meant, but I couldn't let it go.

[Foamy]

Look at the headstock.... How many shiny twisty things are there?? 5? LOL - but hey....gotta ask.

[AntAir267]

I'm not a doorknob, it has 4 strings. I guess Squier were made slightly different in Korea back then.

[Steveaux]

Figure out which you value more, the body or the neck, then modify the other.

[Foamy]

Originally Posted by AntAir267

I'm not a doorknob, it has 4 strings. I guess Squier were made slightly different in Korea back then.

jus' joshin'....

[Phendyr_Loon]

Originally Posted by JohnL

I thought the neck pocket dimensions were the same on P & Js. I have a USA J neck on an older USA P body that fit perfectly, but I guess Squiers may be different?

You're correct. The neck pocket dimensions on the MIM's, CIJ's, and the MIA's reissues are the same, I know for certain the width is the same, 2.5", I would venture to guess the length is the same also except for maybe the 5 bolt USA's.
The Squier's are just weird, I know they've come a long way from their Affinity basses, but I still don't like to be surprised with screwy dimensions.
I believe back in 1993 Korean Squier's were made closer to Fender specs before they moved production over to China.

[WannaJazz]

Sqruie dimensions?

[rumblethump]

I ran into the same problem once and I just block sanded a 1/16" on each side of the neck pocket. Worked for me.

[paganjack]

Originally Posted by WannaJazz

Sqruie dimensions?

Nice.

[AntAir267]

If the luthier's quote is more than $10 I guess I'll just do it myself and sand the pocket down like what rumblethump did.

[Phendyr_Loon]

Originally Posted by WannaJazz

Sqruie dimensions?

Haha! I'm now tempted to put that word into Fender font, print out a headstock decal and stick it to one of my project basses to see if anyone notices.