Are you struggling to find the best replacement neck for Stratocaster? We are here to help you.
The world’s most famous and iconic electric guitar – Fender Stratocaster – is designed with meticulous care, enabling the instrument to last long. However, like all top-quality products, the Stratocaster is subject to wear and tear and, with time, becomes dysfunctional. To put things in perspective, your Strat may not function as effectively as the bass did when it was newer with regular use.
The strings could lose their tautness, pickup screws become corroded, and gunk accumulates on the body, and so on. Unfortunately, your Stratocaster’s neck is one section that is prone to developing issues sooner than later. Regardless of whether the fingerboard is made of sealed maple, rosewood, ash, or alder, it’ll tend to pick up grayish-green deposits of filth and grease.
Other parts of the neck, including the frets, bone nut, and tuners, also undergo and suffer damage as time passes. Nevertheless, finding a damaged or broken neck replacement is easy given the Stratocaster’s iconic status and worldwide popularity. In addition, you’ll come across numerous OEM replacement necks that may turn out to be better than the original one.
The 5 Best Aftermarket Necks for Stratocaster
1. Fender Standard Series Stratocaster® Neck (Editor’s Choice)
If you’re looking for a drop-in replacement for your Fender Stratocaster’s neck section, then you don’t need to look further. This Stratocaster neck comes from the same company that makes the legendary Stratocaster electric guitar, so you can rest assured about its quality. The entire neck has been shaped out of high-quality Maplewood and sports a cool and contemporary “C” profile or structure that perfectly matches your instrument.
Additionally, the maple/rosewood fingerboard having a radius of 9.5” (i.e., length of the fingerboard’s arc across its width) with moderately large frets should correspond with your OEM neck as well. This Fender Stratocaster neck with maple fretboard also comes equipped with a standardized truss rod and slotted-in bone nuts for maintaining the OEM look. The headstock façade and the maple fretboard features a sleek finish together with the highlighted satin urethane coat on the back boosts the neck’s aesthetic appeal.
You’ll feel the smooth glossy satin finishing when you strum, and also, things get a little simpler owing to the 21 frets instead of the standard 22. So installing this replacement neck should not be an issue. However, it may take a while getting adjusted to this Fender’s neck with 21 frets, based on the Stratocaster type you play.
You’ll also be pleasantly surprised to discover that this replacement Fender Strat neck is supremely affordable.
Features
- Authentic Stratocaster replacement neck from Fender crafted from Maplewood
- The headstock and fret profile completely match up your original Stratocaster’s neck contour
- Includes pre-slotted bone nuts and truss rod for straightforward replacement
- Features 21medium-jumbo frets
Pros
- The 21frets should easily suffice for offering you a wide variety of notes
- Pre-slotted synthetic bone nuts facilitate accurate tonal variation while minimizing the need for frequent adjustments
- The truss rod helps in keeping the bass neck consistently steady
- The neck and fretboard made of maple helps keep the instrument lightweight, making it easier for you to handle it
Cons
- The finish quality of the neck’s backside isn’t as good as the original
- The sharp edges of the fretboard could do with some leveling and polishing
2. Classic Player 50’s Stratocaster Neck (Close Runner-Up)
The Classic Player 50’s Stratocaster Neck from Fender is another premium neck that works as the perfect replacement for your Strat’s stock neck. Top-notch vintage-style Strat neck sports an innovative “Soft V” design along with a 9.5-inch radius maple fretboard having 21 medium-large frets. The bone nut comes pre-slotted with “piloted” string location ruts for facilitating straightforward spacing while carrying out the slot filing for the last string.
The lustrous urethane coat on the backside of this Fender Classic Player 50’s Stratocaster Neck goes a long way in boosting playability. Additionally, this Stratocaster Neck by Fender comes stamped and serialized with an authentic “Original Contour Body” headstock imprint, imparting a mark of originality to this piece. The Classic Player 50’s Stratocaster Neck is an ideal replacement for a Squier® or a Stratocaster by Fender.
The American Standard two-pivot bridge link coupled with classic-styled saddles guaranteeing a consistent tremolo mode is what makes this neck stand out. This neck for Fender Strat also features traditional locking Go to tuners with the locking mechanism at the post’s top, which helps maintain your bass’s original look. The assembly of the piece on the wh, ole excellently typified by the perfect two-tone burst poly finish and fretboard.
Together with the lightweight maple body, the vintage pickups coordinate to make a deadly combination providing your Strat a soothing dry attack.
Features
- Maple wooded fretboard with 9.5-inch arcs
- Maple neck along with walnut “skunk” stripe
- Pre-slotted synthetic bone nut
- Six dual-guide-pin tunings machined holes
- Archetypal truss rod
- 21 medium-jumbo frets
- Sleek urethane satin finish
- V-styled neck profile
Pros
- Maplewood fretboard furnishes excellent equilibrium both in terms of density and weight
- The soft V outline, along with the 9.5” radius fretboard, enables players to comfortably hold the bass for long periods during gigs or studio recording
- Smooth and polished urethane finishing promotes playability and also boosts your instrument’s appeal
Cons
- You may have to file and polish the nut further for boosting playability
- The adjustment for the truss rod is at the neck’s base requiring you to remove the neck for making additional adjustments
3. Roasted Maple Flat Oval Stratocaster Neck
The model is a class apart, has a distinctive appeal, and is strongly resistant to humidity. The roasted maple construction not only boosts the neck’s durability but also gives it a stunning dark look and renders it highly resistant to temperature changes and humidity shifts. In addition, the ergonomic design of this roasted maple Strat neck from Fender bestows to it a greater sustain, eventually adding an exclusive tonality to your guitar.
This premium Fender Strat neck crafted meticulously at Fender’s Ensenada factory in Mexico features a contemporary “C”-style profile and 9.5” radius Maplewood fretboard with 21 slim-tall frets. The unique and distinguishing neck design comes in perfectly handy for customized playability. On the other hand, the synthetic bone nut featuring pre-slotted ‘pilot’ hollows aids in precision spacing while smoothing the final string slots.
This roasted maple Strat neck’s headstock also brandishes the celebrated ‘spaghetti’-style Fender decal, which makes your Strat look unmistakably original. In addition, the roasted maple structure helps hugely improve the overall sonic quality and heightens the neck’s aesthetics. Finally, the roasted Maplewood’s darker tint adds to the neck’s elegance, while the headstock’s noticeable wood-grain finish completes the piece’s allure.
The adjustment for the truss rod has been made using state-of-the-art fabrication technology, which helps maintain the neck’s straightness following installation. It could turn out that once you swap out your existing Strat neck with this one, it could make your bass look better than it did earlier.
Features
- Neck shaped out of roasted maple
- Flat-Oval shaped outline
- 9.5” radius fretboard
- Synthetic bone nut
- 21slender-tall frets
- Maple fingerboard
- The back of the neck has a satin urethane finish
- Headstock and fingerboard with a lustrous urethane finish
Pros
- The modernistic profile allows you to hold your instrument comfortably for long periods
- The roasted maple wood structure resists everyday wear and tear more effectively than non-roasted maple
- The truss rod helps keep the neck completely straight
Cons
- You may have to file the edges of a few frets for a perfect fit
- The neck pocket may also require some routing
4. Roasted Maple Standard Series Stratocaster Neck
This Fender Roasted Maple Stratocaster neck is almost similar to the roasted Maplewood Strat neck reviewed above, having nearly identical features. However, you bet you’ll fall for the irresistible charm and allure of this roasted Maplewood Strat neck by Fender. Shaped out of the best grade of roasted maple, this Fender replacement neck could be just the upgrade you’re looking for.
The Maplewood has been roasted to perfection for drying it to the right degree, thus rendering it resistant to temperature and humidity variations. In addition, the roasted wood build enables this Fender neck to resist everyday wear and tear better than necks made from non-roasted maple. At the same time, the functional C- shaped contour along with a 9.5” fretboard and slender-tall frets furnishes excellent playability.
Manufactured at the Ensenada facility (in Mexico) owned by Fender, this bonafide replacement neck for Strat comes with nut bone with perfectly precut grooves. This feature helps in precision spacing out when leveling the final string slots. When you replace your old or broken stock Strat neck with this roasted maple neck, you’ll feel you’ve opted for an OEM replacement.
The headstock of this neck bears the famous spaghetti type emblem for offering you a genuine Fender feel.
Features
- Constructed from top-quality maple wood
- Truss rod adjustment designed on modern lines
- The back of the neck features a satin coat
- Headstock face and fingerboard has a silky polyurethane finish
Pros
- Works as a seamless replacement for your Fender Strat
- Roasted maple construction imparts a striking look
- Extremely hardy and resistant to humidity and temperature deviations
Cons
- You may have to trim the borders of the shims
5. Classic Series 50’s Lacquer Stratocaster Neck
Fender is a household name in the US known for producing top-quality electric basses and guitars. At the same time, the manufacturer has also entrenched its goodwill in the market for guitar parts and accessories. So it follows that the Fender Classic Series 50’s Lacquer Strat Neck embodies the high-level craftsmanship that Fender products are known for.
Produced at Fender’s Ensenada factory in Mexico, this classical-style Strat guitar neck sports a gentle “V” shape with a 7.25 radius maple fretboard bearing 21 classic 70’s style frets. The lacquer finishing of the neck accentuates the vintage look and feel of your Fender Strat. The soft and lacquer finish guarantees an impeccable fret-hand experience and, at the same time, confers a stylish look.
Features
- Top, body, neck, back, and fingerboard material: maple
- Maple fretboard having a 7.25” radius
- Lacquer finish
- Pre-slotted bone nut
- 21 vintage-type frets
Pros
- 21 vintage-style frets for sweeping versatility on a tonal variety
- Even guitarists with tiny fingers find the soft “V” profile suitable for playability
- The lacquer finish imparts a classic feel
Cons
- You may need to make the grooves bigger and drill extra holes if you’re not using vintage-style tuners.
FAQs About the Best Stratocaster Necks
Why Are Fender Necks So Expensive?
Fender Stratocasters, Les Pauls, and Squiers have always been the most sought-after electric guitar models and continue to be. So it follows that guitarists and bassists swear by all bass accessories and parts manufactured and promoted by Fender. And very much like the premium bass models of Fender that are priced upwards of $1500, their replacement necks also command a high price.
So what is it about Fender’s replacement necks for Strat or Squier® that makes them so expensive? Indeed, there must be something unique about Fender’s products besides top-notch quality that makes them so pricey. Guitars and guitar parts crafted by other well-known manufacturers are, of course, as good as Fender’s, if not better.
Yet Fender’s basses, pickups, and necks tend to cost significantly more than other comparable brands. Some extrinsic factors like the brand value account for the high price of Fender’s items. Firstly, Fender’s guitars are globally renowned-every one of their bass models is associated with universally acclaimed guitarists like Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray, and David Gilmour.
Secondly, Fender invariably uses the best quality materials for making electric and acoustic basses. Whether it’s the electronics, hardware, or tonewood, Fender wants to get everything perfect. For example, Fender uses Maplewood, alder, and ash for crafting a bass’s neck and fretboard.
Tonewood has a massive influence in establishing a guitar’s sale price-one good reason why Fender’s necks are so costly, offer great value, and last long. In addition, the high-quality craftsmanship of Fender’s guitars is another practical reason why their basses are so dear. Last but not least, if you reside outside the US, especially in Asia or Europe, you’ll have to pay shipping costs which increases a Fender’s neck price.
How Long Does Neck for Stratocaster Should Last?
It’s tough to give a simple answer to this question. That said, if you own a vintage-style Fender Strat and take good care of the same, the instrument could last a lifetime or even outlast you. Of course, you’ll need to maintain and service your bass regularly, including cleaning the fingerboard, restringing, and wiping the frets.
Your Stratocaster’s neck will surely last for at least 20-30 years (and even a lifetime), depending on your playing frequency and style. But, of course, the mate, rial, fabrication technology, and your level of care also influence the neck’s longevity.
Will Kramer’s Neck Fit a Strat Body?
Vintage-style Kramer necks will fit on a Strat body, especially if the Strat is of the NOS variety or if you purchased the bass during the ’60s or 70s.
Though Kramer has the same neck pocket as a Fender, it does not necessarily mean that the Kramer neck will fit all Strat models. Check the neck pocket width and the extent from the bridge to the neck before a replacement.
Will a Jazzmaster Neck Fit a Stratocaster?
Both Stratocaster and Jazzmaster have the same neck pocket and heel sizes so that you can swap out one with the other. Most Fender electric basses, including Esquire, Jazzmaster, and Strat, have a 25.5” scale length.
So you can use a Jazzmaster neck on a Strat but may not be able to replace a Mustang or Jaguar (both are Fender models) neck because the later models have a 24” scale length.
The Best Replacement Neck for Strat Is…
So there you’ve it-five of the best replacement necks for your Strat from Fender. Before you make up your mind, ensure that the neck fits seamlessly on your instrument.
Additionally, consider the fret size, the truss rod type (standard or adjustable), and the construction of the neck. Finally, choosing a Maplewood neck is preferable because a maple neck provides longer sustain and is also more resistant to wear and tear.
The best aftermarket Strat neck is the one from (surprise!) Fender!