'52' Tele built

[panther]

I built a 52 Tele last years and haven't really finished it yet. I was waiting for some pointers from Dub when He put the finish on his.
I got mine out this past week and played it. I built it with the original 7.25" radius neck, which is not real easy for me to play. If I made the following modifications would they work ?
What I'm proposing is removing the red material from the frets. Then re crown them.

My thinking is by flattening the frets, and taking them down more in the center, would maybe replicate a flatter radius neck. Later if I decide to go to the original configuration, all I would need to do would be replace the frets. I think the closer I would get to the edges of the neck the more it would seem scalloped.
Dan

[ludobag]

it is doable for sure but i advise you to try more longer the 7,5 radius
to my taste the most i prefer is 12 but in fact it is the profil of neck that i feel much ,the radius don't really care for me

[KRamone27]

What you could do is pull the frets out, buy the radius sanding block from stew Mac and reradius the fret board. Then refret the neck and level and crown.

[panther]

I wanted to maintain the originality of the 7.25" neck, but see if making it easier to play. But I've decided the best solution is more practice.
Dan

[olrocknroller]

What you could do is pull the frets out, buy the radius sanding block from stew Mac and reradius the fret board. Then refret the neck and level and crown.

...or you could buy a replacement neck with the radius you want, keeping the original neck...original! A lot of the guys who come to me for this kind of stuff like the "Mighty-Mite" brand of replacement necks, also available at Stew-Mac, but shop around, they can be found for less elsewhere. This approach will likely cost you less than a refret, or messing up the frets on your original neck.

Duzzatthelp?

[KRamone27]

What you could do is pull the frets out, buy the radius sanding block from stew Mac and reradius the fret board. Then refret the neck and level and crown.

...or you could buy a replacement neck with the radius you want, keeping the original neck...original! A lot of the guys who come to me for this kind of stuff like the "Mighty-Mite" brand of replacement necks, also available at Stew-Mac, but shop around, they can be found for less elsewhere. This approach will likely cost you less than a refret, or messing up the frets on your original neck.

Duzzatthelp?

I agree with this. I can vouch for mighty mites quality as I have one on a parts caster and it has a great feel to it

[panther]

Mighty Mite, is the brand neck I put on the build.
I'll leave the axe as is.
Dan

[telemaster]

I would look into Musikraft necks. They can do one any way you want it. Check our their website for all the options available. I found their web presence on ebay under Jamison, check that too for great deals on their products. I found a quarter sawn tele neck with no truss rod....talk about a tone monster. Just waiting for the right body wood to surface. I also have a quarter sawn strat neck awaiting assembly. I was able to choose the frets I wanted from a list of about six different options and I was also able to select the final profile of the back of the neck. I went for the soft "V" . it arrived identical to my '58 strat neck profile. Too cool. Also check out Orion finishing on ebay, he is related somehow to the other guy and will often post a single neck that has been pre-finished and he does beautiful work. That said I have two mighty mite strat bodies that have two of these necks installed. I love their finish on the two bodies that I got. I'd love more details on the '52 tele build.....Hope that I helped.
Dave

[Nokie]

I wanted to maintain the originality of the 7.25" neck, but see if making it easier to play. But I've decided the best solution is more practice.
Dan

I think Leo made 'em right the first time with those 7.25 radius necks BUT I am one who plays with my thumb wrapped around the neck almost constantly. Playing thumb-style chords would be my recommendation in getting used to the rounder radius.
-Marty

[panther]

Marty;
I agree, that is exactly why I wanted to build one.
Dan