A Guitar And Gear Support Forum

I'd like to convert my SX strat to a 24.75" scale length with a conversion neck. I measured the neck pocket and it's around 1mm wider than a standard Fender neck. So I'm thinking I need some shims or each side of the neck to get this to work. Any thoughts on good shims for this? I figure anything that's the proper width and equal on each side would work. Anyone ever do something similar? Thanks!

ld look for slivers (1/2 mm) of maple, ideally. Or other hardwood. Tongue depressor, etc. sanded down. If you or acquaintance has access to a table saw, zip off a sliver.
Its going to be pretty small piece on the treble side, of course, as so much is "cutaway" compared to bass side where a 3" sliver will make sense.

I'ld get slivers of the right width and height and place them, and trace out the pockets edge contours and exacto- knife the shape close, maybe using some sandpaper to smooth your cut edges. Maybe paint them to match where it makes sense. Then I'ld replace them with a small drop of Elmers on the pocket side wall where shims contact. Place the neck and tighten it all down. GRD!

I had found adhesive backed maple edging at Woodcraft that I could stick to the neck pocket. It worked great on a neck swap to a Douglas I did.

Tiga wrote: ↑Tue Sep 15, 2020 7:31 pm I'd like to convert my SX strat to a 24.75" scale length with a conversion neck. I measured the neck pocket and it's around 1mm wider than a standard Fender neck. So I'm thinking I need some shims or each side of the neck to get this to work. Any thoughts on good shims for this? I figure anything that's the proper width and equal on each side would work. Anyone ever do something similar? Thanks!

Short Scale Strat ?

Tonray's Ghost wrote: ↑Thu Sep 17, 2020 3:21 am

Short Scale Strat ?

Why not? I might even learn to like Fenders if they had the same scale length as a Les Paul!

Oh yes! LOL. My SX Gypsy Rose strat is gibson scale and it really comfortable to play. I'm finding myself enjoying a shorter scale length of late. I still have my MIM Standard strat at 25.5" scale length though (for now at least LOL).

Tonray's Ghost wrote: ↑Thu Sep 17, 2020 3:21 am
Short Scale Strat ?

I've used pieces of veneer to shim neck pockets just as you described. You can get a pack of 12" x 6" (or thereabouts) veneer "samples" on ebay for pretty cheap. I use Maple or some other light wood. I usually touch up the top edges with matching paint or nail polish, so you don't see the white edge of the wood in the pocket when you look down on it.

mickey wrote: ↑Thu Sep 17, 2020 8:17 am

Tonray's Ghost wrote: ↑Thu Sep 17, 2020 3:21 am

Short Scale Strat ?

Why not? I might even learn to like Fenders if they had the same scale length as a Les Paul!

I thought a short scale Strat was called a Mustang.