Compound Radius Fingerboard
A Warmoth innovation
This is a concept that we introduced nearly two decades ago to improve both comfort and playability. It has proven to be a very popular feature that we have incorporated into the majority of our necks.
Everyone knows how comfortable vintage Fender necks are for rhythm work and chording, but without uncomfortably high action, string bending is not an option the strings "fret-out".
To achieve low action and no buzz string bending, many necks resort to a 16" fingerboard radius. This certainly works, but the comfort factor is lost.
What we developed was the theory and technology to make the fretboard conical. This retains a tighter radius in the area commonly used for rhythm and chording, while flattening the area used for bending and lead playing. We selected a 10" radius at the nut for both comfort and compatibility with the popular Floyd Rose locking nut. A 16" radius at the heel has proven to afford 2-1/2 step bends with action below a 16th of an inch!
In usage, the changing radius is not really noticed. It is simply easier to play on and more comfortable. Compared to a conventional single radius neck, the compound radius is far more difficult and time consuming to produce. So, why do we do it? This is a design that will make a genuine difference in your playing. An improvement in your playing speed... Its fast! String nding has never been easier, and comfortable. And of course
The New Gotoh Side-Adjuster
for Warmoth Pro Guitar Necks
To make truss rod set-up and adjustment more convenient, Warmoth "Pro" Construction necks feature the Gotoh side adjustment mechanism. Inserted between the usual truss rod adjustment nut at the heel and the truss rod, this ingenious device uses inclines and wedges to adjust the rod tension. Initial set-up is still accomplished at the traditional butt end but future small adjustments are then conveniently done on the side of the neck.
Unfortunately Gotoh does not offer these mechanisms left handed. Lefty Warmoth "Pro" necks only offer heel adjustments on straight necks, and peg-head adjustments on angled necks.
Mechanics
For easy and convenient truss rod adjustment
The factory setting is with the side adjustment mechanism centered within its operating range. To adjust your neck for the first time, use the following steps:
Neck Adjustment Procedure
Tighten the slotted heel-adjust nut (See A) until the fingerboard is perfectly flat (has no forward curve.) This should cause the side adjust nut to be recessed into the heel approximately 1/16" (1.6mm).
Attach the neck and tune the strings to pitch.
Detune strings and make necessary relief adjustment using side-adjust nut
(See B) and supplied allen wrench. Repeat as necessary.
Guitar Neck & Body FAQs
Will it Fit My Guitar?
Fender® pioneered the detachable neck concept 50 some years ago. To this day, they continue to use the same basic dimensions on most of their offerings. Many other manufacturers have adopted these same dimensions into some of their own products (Kramer, ESP, Ibanez, Schecter, etc.).
Unfortunately, this is not universal and therefore problems of fit do arise. Warmoth has held to the Fender dimensions in all our offerings (exceptions noted).
To check compatibility of non Fender instruments, the simplest method is direct comparison. In lieu of this, the critical dimensions for guitars are: Neck pocket depth 5/8", length 3", and width 2-3/16". Scale length (measure from nut to 12th fret x 2) is 25-1/2", distance from nut to 12th fret, 12 3/4", to the heel (not extended fingerboard) is 18-7/16". Distance from heel to midpoint of bridge saddle adjustment is 7-1/8".
See Known Incompatibility for more information.
The heel shape of Strat® necks is rounded at the end, Teles® are squared. Strat® necks will fit Tele® bodies but show a gap at the corners. Tele® necks may not intonate on a Strat® body without neck pocket modification.
Known Incompatibilities
The Fender Contoured Heel
This contoured heel with its accompanying offset neck plate screw pattern is not compatible with our Warmoth "Pro" construction replacement Strat® and Tele® necks. The offset screw is on a collision course with out Gotoh side adjustment mechanism… NOT GOOD! Our Total Vintage and Vintage Modern Necks ARE fully compatible with this application.
We have observed this contoured heel on the following models:
Deluxe Strat®
Deluxe Tele®
Jeff Beck Stratocaster®
50th Anniversary Strat®
There may be others...
Other Known Incompatibility
Roadhouse Strat® - 22 fret, no overhang
Big Apple Strat® - 22 fret, no overhang
Lonestar Strat® - 22 fret, no overhang
Nashville Tele® - 22 fret, no overhang
Fat Tele® - 22 fret, no overhang
Fat Strat® - 22 fret, no overhang
Heavy Metal Strat®
Heavy Metal Tele®
Jagmaster® - Unknow specs.
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