I have a 70's reissue strat with a 3-bolt neck and I have a 50's reissue neck id like to slap on it but that is drilled for 4 bolts is there any way to convert the body for 4 bolts
thanks
Ryan
If the neck pocket fits with the new neck (I don't know this for sure), then it should be as simple as:
1. Buy a four-screw neck plate with screws from someone such as guitarfetish.com. The holes in this should line up with the pre-drilled holes in the new neck.
2a. If you wish to keep the micro-tilt mechanism, then you will need to drill a hole in the new four-screw neck plate to allow access to the micro-tilt adjustment (unless you managed to buy a four-screw plate with a micro-tilt access hole). You will also move the metal micro-tilt disk from the back of the old neck to the new. This will involve routing the new neck to accommodate the disk. Have a look at these links and images to understand:
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=Fender+Micro+Tilt+Neck&btnG=Search+Images&gbv=2
You can also purchase a new micro-tilt neck disk if necessary. (Follow links in link above.)
2b. If you will not use the micro-tilt feature, but instead will do traditional shimming to change the neck angle, then simply remove the micro-tilt screw from its threaded insert in the body. Save it in case you change your mind.
3. Use the new, four-screw neck plate as a template to mark and drill new holes for the body and neck (if necessary). Hopefully, two of the original body holes can be re-used with this new, four-hole neck plate. Use a drill press to drill perpendicular holes -- ideally through the neck and body at the same time (if neck is not pre-drilled; clamp neck and body into position). Be careful. Pay attention to depth. Initially, size both the neck and body holes to slightly less than the screws' threads' widest diameter. Then remove the neck and enlarge the body holes to allow the screws to easily slide into the body completely; but don't over-enlarge these holes. Lube the screws with wax (Chapstick works) and screw them through the neck plate, body and into the neck.
Note that if you cannot re-use two of the original three-screw neck body holes for the four-hole plate. You will probably need to fill the original body holes with glued-in dowels and re-drill appropriate new holes.
-=tension & release=-
