22 fret conversion to 21 frets?

[curtisstetka]

Can it be done?

I'm wondering if you can take a 22 fret Tele neck, remove that last fret, remove the overhang part of the fretboard, sand things out, and have it look like a 21 fret neck.

Just out of curiosity. I would never do anything so dumbass, would I?

[Wilko]

WHat happened? Did you slip with your saw and screw it up?

[curtisstetka]

Oh no. Nothing like that. I'm just starting to dream of assembling my next Tele. Most of the neck features I prefer are to be found on modern 22 fret necks. Aesthetically, however, I prefer the 21 fret look.

'tis a silly notion.

[Don]

I wouldn't put a 22 fret neck on a Tele just because I like to mount the neck pickup to the body and, unless you modify the pickguard, the 22nd fret shelf makes adjusting the neck pickup really difficult.

Do you already own a neck? A custom USACG neck will cost you less than a used Fender neck.

[curtisstetka]

Just managed to score a Baja Tele neck off the 'bay for 2 bills.

Not too shabby. I already have a Baja Tele neck on my other franken-tele. It's the most comfortable electric neck I've ever played.

I thought about going the USACG route but I'd really just try to come up with another Baja neck in the end.

[Custom 5]

Hard to say which looks worse. A 22 fret neck, or a 21 fret conversion with a partial empty fret slot showing.

You could fill the slot once you cut and round the board but you'll probably see it unless you match the wood perfectly with the filler.

The 22nd fret is about 3/16" in from the end of the heel, and don't want to shorten the heel as that will create intonation issues.

[hippiebob01]

doesn't a baja neck have 21 frets?

[curtisstetka]

Indeed. The Baja neck has 21 frets.

I had thought they were a bit rare and overpriced on ebay but this one was a good deal.

[Don]

That's a good deal.

[Kap'n]

Nice score.

I should try to track down another one. I love the feel of that neck.

[curtisstetka]

There just don't seem to be that many Fender necks that have a 9.5" radius, medium jumbo frets, a chunky contour, vintage tuners, and only 21 frets.

And those are the features I like.

[Don]

There just don't seem to be that many Fender necks that have a 9.5" radius, medium jumbo frets, a chunky contour, vintage tuners, and only 21 frets.

And those are the features I like.

That's almost exactly what I had USACG build me in a Tele neck 5-1/2 years ago ('cept the frets. I like 'em taller and skinier than med. jumbo) and pretty much what they're building me in a Strat neck as I write this!