Fret extensions..?

[Rob Tahan]

So i love my fender and im wondering if i can get 2 more frets (to 24) added? Im unclear exactly as to what is involved in getting that done. Im so set on my tone with 22 frets and know that if i moved the pickup the tone would change. It looks like there is room. I only need them on the high e-string and b-string.
Thoughts...? Suggestions...?

 

[Vrad]

So i love my fender and im wondering if i can get 2 more frets (to 24) added? Im unclear exactly as to what is involved in getting that done. Im so set on my tone with 22 frets and know that if i moved the pickup the tone would change. It looks like there is room. I only need them on the high e-string and b-string.
Thoughts...? Suggestions...?

Hmmm... that would involve replacing either the neck (warmoth sells a strat fretboard with 24 frets) or replacing the fretboard. I'd go with the neck replacement personally because then you can swap out the necks if you want to go back to 22 frets.

 

[Digital Jams]

Yeah Warmoth 24 fret replacement neck is probably the easiest route.

 

[Rob Tahan]

I think they said it cant be done on a fender bc id have to move the neck pickup or something. But i figured an extension would do it..

 

[Vrad]

I think they said it cant be done on a fender bc id have to move the neck pickup or something. But i figured an extension would do it..

Do you have a universal-route on your fender?

 

[Code001]

I think they said it cant be done on a fender bc id have to move the neck pickup or something. But i figured an extension would do it..

You can't just buy a 24 fret neck and install it on a 21/22 fret guitar. You have to move the neck pickup slightly closer to the bridge. Yes, this will change how the neck pickup sounds. The routing is minimal, and sometimes not even required on certain Fenders. You'll need a new pickguard to accommodate the newly moved neck pickup, too. That said, I highly recommend not getting a Warmoth neck unless you have a good tech who can clean it up. Warmoth has the worst fret finishing out of all the main manufacturers out there. If you have a good luthier who can level/crown/dress, it won't be a problem.

 

[Mudder]

You could always trade pick guards out that either move the neck pickup, or remove it entirely. Of course that depends on your routing. How much do you use the neck pickup anyway?

 

[Rob Tahan]

I think they said it cant be done on a fender bc id have to move the neck pickup or something. But i figured an extension would do it..

You can't just buy a 24 fret neck and install it on a 21/22 fret guitar. You have to move the neck pickup slightly closer to the bridge. Yes, this will change how the neck pickup sounds. The routing is minimal, and sometimes not even required on certain Fenders. You'll need a new pickguard to accommodate the newly moved neck pickup, too. That said, I highly recommend not getting a Warmoth neck unless you have a good tech who can clean it up. Warmoth has the worst fret finishing out of all the main manufacturers out there. If you have a good luthier who can level/crown/dress, it won't be a problem.

What do you reccomend i do then? It seems as though there is enough room on most strats for 24 frets without really moving the pickups. Specific companies or anything? You said no to Warmoth. And others have also said the same thing.


And i LIVE for the neck pickup btw!!

 

[Code001]

USACG seems to be the best, with Musikraft being right behind them, from the reviews I've seen. I've personally worked with both Musikraft and Warmoth necks. It wasn't even a contest. The Musikraft neck was just that much better.