Bullet Neck Replacement

[ChessKing73]

Please forgive if this has already been discussed. I am brand new to this forum. Was curious if any of you know if an American made Fender Strat neck replacement will fit in a Squier Bullet Strat. Thank you so much for any info on this.

CK73

 

[kdm1218]

It should fit in theory, but you should take the neck off your bullet and measure the pocket width and depth to verify with whatever neck you are looking at. And then be aware you may have to do a little sanding or shimming for a tight fit.

 

[Triple Jim]

I have a Bullet Strat and a Bullet Tele. I put custom Warmoth necks in them without much trouble. The Tele's neck pocket had some paint globs in it that I had to scrape out, but that's about the extent of it. Be prepared to shim the neck a little if needed, but that's nothing unusual.

 

[ChessKing73]

It should fit in theory, but you should take the neck off your bullet and measure the pocket width and depth to verify with whatever neck you are looking at. And then be aware you may have to do a little sanding or shimming for a tight fit.

Also, Squier Bullets have 21 frets, so will putting a 22 fret neck replacement be problematic? Thanks so much for the info.

 

[Triple Jim]

Also, Squier Bullets have 21 frets, so will putting a 22 fret neck replacement be problematic? Thanks so much for the info.

No, the 22nd fret is on a piece that extends past the neck pocket, so they're interchangeable. On the other hand, I've come to prefer 21 fret necks because the 22 fret versions trap the pick guard in place so I have to remove the neck to get to the electrics. It happens when one or more pickups hit the body routs before the guard clears the neck extension. If the routs are big enough so the pickups can move toward the bridge enough, then it wouldn't be a problem.

 

[dpang2836]

Should fit but you will get Cussed if shown here with an American Decal (Ha, Ha)! Not by me. That would be a 4-5 Hundred Dollar upgrade. Should you sell it, we trust Buyer knows it's a Squier!

 

[ChessKing73]

Should fit but you will get Cussed if shown here with an American Decal (Ha, Ha)! Not by me. That would be a 4-5 Hundred Dollar upgrade. Should you sell it, we trust Buyer knows it's a Squier!

I don’t sell my guitars…ever. So that won’t be a problem.

 

[dpang2836]

Then you deserve to Treat yourself to an American Neck! To pull a Pickguard, you only need to loosen Neck Screws maybe 1/4" Top and 3/8" Bottom. Pull Neck down lightly at Headstock and upward at Heel and Guard will be free. 22 Fret one that is.

 

[CV50sFan90]

I have a Bullet Strat and a Bullet Tele. I put custom Warmoth necks in them without much trouble. The Tele's neck pocket had some paint globs in it that I had to scrape out, but that's about the extent of it. Be prepared to shim the neck a little if needed, but that's nothing unusual.

I was going to say, you might be better off ordering a Warmoth neck to your exact desired specifications. Fender MIA replacement necks are pretty pricey (I think even more expensive than the Warmoth), and don't offer as much variety to choose from as Warmoth. For example: want a solid rosewood neck with an ebony fretboard with reverse headstock, split diamond inlays, correctly-cut Tusq nut, with a 24.75" scale length conversion and straight 10" radius? Warmoth has you covered. Or any other number of mix and matched specs, for that matter. And you just might spend less money than buying a MIA replacement from Fender. Just food for thought. Good luck, and I hope you find what you're after!

 

[kdm1218]

I would also personally recommend Best Guitar Parts if you have any interest in a custom neck. Or if you’re after pretty vanilla specs, I’d look at MIM options.

 

[Triple Jim]

And you just might spend less money than buying a MIA replacement from Fender.

Especially if you get roasted maple, since it doesn't need any finish to feel excellent. Mine are both roasted maple with Indian rosewood fretboards and stainless frets. They were around $270 each, delivered.

One thing to remember is that any new neck, from Fender or otherwise, may need fret leveling and end dressing. Maybe not, but it'll almost certainly benefit from at least a fret polish.

 

[dpang2836]

Yes, I love the Mex Roasted (Taco) Neck. They can crack though, so you don't want Tuner's fitting too tight. I scored a Japanese Roasted Maple Neck and it is Super. Maple Board on Maple and you can not see a Fret Slot on whole Neck? It's like nothing I have ever seen! 200 plus Necks. I will never have any Sprout!