What neck should fit this body?

[psymbionic]

Hey all, long time listener / first time caller.

I recently picked up a second hand PJ body from someone locally. I was told the neck pocket would fit MIM Fender necks, but alas, it doesn't. The dimensions of the pocket are roughly 3.3" x 2.5", a full 0.5" and change too short for a standard jazz neck.

Any idea what may fit? Perhaps a tele bass neck?

 

[ctmullins]

Ask Victor?

 

[psymbionic]

Ask Victor?

Unfortunately, I already tried that route - it seems the guy who made these bodies no longer is active.

Found his youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsTBC_9yzd6A7WRun5_v9_w

And ebay:
guitar alliance | eBay Stores

 

[Beej]

If it's 2.5" wide at the heel of the pocket, then that's Fender dimensions. The depth of the pocket (measured from top of body to base of pocket) also needs to be the standard 5/8" to fit Fender necks and have the bridge saddles at roughly the correct height.

The length of the pocket (you have 3.3") doesn't really matter too much, as long as you can get some screws into the heel of the neck. A Jazz neck sticking 0.5" out too far does not matter for fit, as long as the scale length still lines up with where the bridge needs to be located. Since it's undrilled for bridge mounting holes, you have some flexibility.

Do you have the body and the neck you want to fit in hand? Or is this speculative at this point?

 

[ctmullins]

Ah, okay.

Perhaps compare measurements against Warmoth's documentation? Invalid Link Removed

 

[psymbionic]

If it's 2.5" wide at the heel of the pocket, then that's Fender dimensions. The depth of the pocket (measured from top of body to base of pocket) also needs to be the standard 5/8" to fit Fender necks and have the bridge saddles at roughly the correct height.

The length of the pocket (you have 3.3") doesn't really matter too much, as long as you can get some screws into the heel of the neck. A Jazz neck sticking 0.5" out too far does not matter for fit, as long as the scale length still lines up with where the bridge needs to be located. Since it's undrilled for bridge mounting holes, you have some flexibility.

Do you have the body and the neck you want to fit in hand? Or is this speculative at this point?

Indeed I do. MIM jazz neck fits correctly in the width but not the length. You can see the predrilled holes sticking out in the neck past the pocket.

I guess maybe a Warmoth / Allparts neck that hasn't been drilled perhaps?

 

[psymbionic]

Ah, okay.

Perhaps compare measurements against Warmoth's documentation? Invalid Link Removed

That mentions the P bass special / deluxe 22 fret necks don't fit Warmoth bodies, perhaps that's a clue since this body is setup as a PJ similar to the way the special / deluxe are. Does anyone know if the necks that fit that line of Fender PJs are different? I know they are tapered more like a jazz neck at the nut rather than a precision neck.

 

[T_Bone_TL]

...So cut the pocket 1/2" (and change, if change be needed) longer? Or have someone else do that, if you don't want to pick up a router you may not own and do a cut you may not have done.

 

[Beej]

Indeed I do. MIM jazz neck fits correctly in the width but not the length. You can see the predrilled holes sticking out in the neck past the pocket.

I guess maybe a Warmoth / Allparts neck that hasn't been drilled perhaps?

That fit looks pretty darn good! Unless the holes in the back really bother you with the way they look, they aren't hurting anything, so you can install that neck. That is, of course, assuming that the scale length is going to work to mount the bridge.

You can measure scale length on your neck by measuring from the fretboard edge of the nut to the middle of the 12th fret and doubling it. So if that measurement is 17" (which it should be on most Fender bass necks), then you have a 34" scale neck. You can put the neck in the pocket, a long straightedge down the board from the nut and see if the bridge will line up and not stick over the butt of the body. If you have room to mount it (with the saddles nearly at the end of their travel), then you should be good to go. If you're concerned with the fit, slap a tape measure on there, and post up a pic, and we can weigh in.

 

[Dana R Gregory]

You can order a neck from Warmoth without holes drilled. I think that the other aftermarket necks are all pre-drilled, even the ones from Fender. Good luck.

 

[Joecooch]

Looks like a Fender neck pocket to me. As long as the bridge ground hole is positioned for a 34" scale on the body, width and height are all that matter. If the neck you are trying to use is already drilled it's an easy fix. Buy some 1/4" or 3/8" wood dowel stock from Lowes or Home Depot. Which ever fits tightest in the drilled holes. Cut four 2" pieces. Dip one end in Tite Bond or any good carpenters glue. Using a soft face hammer, tap into holes. Let dry overnight. Cut flush with the face of the neck and sand smooth. Re-drill anyway you want.

 

[Joecooch]

That mentions the P bass special / deluxe 22 fret necks don't fit Warmoth bodies, perhaps that's a clue since this body is setup as a PJ similar to the way the special / deluxe are. Does anyone know if the necks that fit that line of Fender PJs are different? I know they are tapered more like a jazz neck at the nut rather than a precision neck.

I have a 22 fret Warmoth neck. The heel is the same on the neck. The fretboard is extended not the neck itself.

 

[Reedt2000]

...So cut the pocket 1/2" (and change, if change be needed) longer? Or have someone else do that, if you don't want to pick up a router you may not own and do a cut you may not have done.

This ^ (and what @Beej said)

Measure out scale length to see where you bridge location can be, then adjust the pocket. You can fill the existing holes in the neck, or even lay a maple veneer over them to really hide em if they are exposed. The body looks cool, and even though this is not necessarily a straight drop-in, it's not a difficult job to fit the neck. You can use a router, or hand tools (it will just go a little slower if you do the latter).

I'm working on a project mating a neck and body that were never meant to be together. The veneer trick worked great for me. Here's the thread if you wanna take a look:

Off with its head! 6-string headless conversion/parts build

 

[garrett77]

Honestly, looks like a mistake. Maybe the neck template wasn’t placed properly. You could try to drill new holes, but I’d check the total body length to see how it compares to another Fender. Where will the bridge go if the Fender neck is installed as is? That could be an indicator or where the 20th fret should be.

 

[CBRXJ]

Tele neck has a square heel. So route it to fit a tele neck or the neck you have.