sixstringking713
New member
NGD - I've had a few different iterations of this guitar body with different necks mated to it. This is the latest iteration, using a "master log" grade roasted birdseye maple. USACG constructed this neck for me out of a blank I had sent to them. This neck is gunna stay on this guitar for a LONG time. Guitar plays wonderfully, setup was VERY quick (other than needing FR nut shims). Check out the pics!!
Here's a little Musikraft vs USACG for those who are buying top-grade necks.. (my experience atleast).
Tried Ordering Thru Musikraft First...
Scott/Jim from Musikraft RARELY answered calls, emails, etc. Argued with me on problems with build. Scott even said to me over the phone after their 2nd screw up "Kyle, you have to understand that we sometimes have to make assumptions with the build on the floor." ???? Why should they be making ANY assumptions with a custom $600 order?? (he was speaking in regard to the fact the first neck they sent me had a square bottom fretboard edge, when I clearly ordered a franky with the rounded fretboard edge). Musikraft was a JOKE. It's such a shame because I have a neck from a few years ago by them and I love that neck. I dont know what is going on internally over there or what. Their communication and quality is a complete embarrassment. I dont know how they even stay in business.
Musikraft Neck #1:
1) Fingerboard has square edge @ 22nd fret
2) The fingerboard wood choice (which I paid extra for 4A-5A piece of wood) has nearly no figure near the higher strings above the 12th fret.
3) Odd scratch or mis-applied finish on headstock.
4) The rear mount floyd R2 nut screw on the high E underside is not bored far enough to remove it from sticking out. (not sure if this is due to the asymmetrical neck profile on the back but still this screw sticks out more than I think is acceptable)
5) Extra material at the low E side of the nut. (not as big of an issue as the others above)
Returned neck #1 and waited for neck #2.. (no discount of any sort for their screw up)
Musikraft Neck #2:
1) Everything fixed that was an issue on neck #1 but the fret slots were F'n HOLES. They cut the fret slots WAY deep. I'm fine with a little gap, it will fill with gunk over time and not be noticable. These "gaps" on this neck were embarrassing..
sent photos to them of the issue. They said they wanted the neck back to look at it. They received the neck and claimed it's fine and they filled the holes, did not offer to build a new neck. No discount offered. I asked for a discount if I was to purchase this POS neck. They said $60 off and sent me 2 very low resolution photos of the neck where you cant even see anything..
Picture I sent them..
Their response
USACG Saves the Build!!
Tommy from USACG could not have treated me better, he answered all my questions, fast turn around time, great workmanship, they always answered the phone.. Called me if there was a question about the build (NO ASSUMPTIONS MADE)... VERY good communication. I would 100% buy my next neck thru USACG.. Highly recommended.
Impressions...
Tuners.. My only gripe so far is the davinci tuners were a bit of a gamble. I didnt know how hard they'd be to install and use. Installing them was a little tricky since there is a hidden nub behind the tuner you have to blindly drill a hole for. The best way I came up with was to align the tuners, place a metal ruler with a cork backside on the tuner, and tap with a hammer. This puts a dent in the wood where you need to drill for the nub. This method worked the best.
The tuners look very cool on the guitar and different but I probably would not buy them again for another build. When tuning, the tuners have a decent amt of "backlash" or whatever it's called where you have to go down and back up to tune once you go sharp. Almost as if there is some play in the gearing internally... Since this is a FR guitar, I dont care all that much since I go a little flat with the tuners, lock the nut, and fine tune with the bridge.
Might end up changing the pickups/wiring for something different. I've had this combo pickups for YEARS and I even forget what I have in there. Pole pieces on the bridge pickup are even rusting it's been on the guitar for so long.
Neck feels very well made.. Fit in the warmoth body neck pocket very well. Very happy with this build!
Here's a little Musikraft vs USACG for those who are buying top-grade necks.. (my experience atleast).
Tried Ordering Thru Musikraft First...
Scott/Jim from Musikraft RARELY answered calls, emails, etc. Argued with me on problems with build. Scott even said to me over the phone after their 2nd screw up "Kyle, you have to understand that we sometimes have to make assumptions with the build on the floor." ???? Why should they be making ANY assumptions with a custom $600 order?? (he was speaking in regard to the fact the first neck they sent me had a square bottom fretboard edge, when I clearly ordered a franky with the rounded fretboard edge). Musikraft was a JOKE. It's such a shame because I have a neck from a few years ago by them and I love that neck. I dont know what is going on internally over there or what. Their communication and quality is a complete embarrassment. I dont know how they even stay in business.
Musikraft Neck #1:
1) Fingerboard has square edge @ 22nd fret
2) The fingerboard wood choice (which I paid extra for 4A-5A piece of wood) has nearly no figure near the higher strings above the 12th fret.
3) Odd scratch or mis-applied finish on headstock.
4) The rear mount floyd R2 nut screw on the high E underside is not bored far enough to remove it from sticking out. (not sure if this is due to the asymmetrical neck profile on the back but still this screw sticks out more than I think is acceptable)
5) Extra material at the low E side of the nut. (not as big of an issue as the others above)
Returned neck #1 and waited for neck #2.. (no discount of any sort for their screw up)
Musikraft Neck #2:
1) Everything fixed that was an issue on neck #1 but the fret slots were F'n HOLES. They cut the fret slots WAY deep. I'm fine with a little gap, it will fill with gunk over time and not be noticable. These "gaps" on this neck were embarrassing..
sent photos to them of the issue. They said they wanted the neck back to look at it. They received the neck and claimed it's fine and they filled the holes, did not offer to build a new neck. No discount offered. I asked for a discount if I was to purchase this POS neck. They said $60 off and sent me 2 very low resolution photos of the neck where you cant even see anything..
Picture I sent them..
Their response
USACG Saves the Build!!
Tommy from USACG could not have treated me better, he answered all my questions, fast turn around time, great workmanship, they always answered the phone.. Called me if there was a question about the build (NO ASSUMPTIONS MADE)... VERY good communication. I would 100% buy my next neck thru USACG.. Highly recommended.
Impressions...
Tuners.. My only gripe so far is the davinci tuners were a bit of a gamble. I didnt know how hard they'd be to install and use. Installing them was a little tricky since there is a hidden nub behind the tuner you have to blindly drill a hole for. The best way I came up with was to align the tuners, place a metal ruler with a cork backside on the tuner, and tap with a hammer. This puts a dent in the wood where you need to drill for the nub. This method worked the best.
The tuners look very cool on the guitar and different but I probably would not buy them again for another build. When tuning, the tuners have a decent amt of "backlash" or whatever it's called where you have to go down and back up to tune once you go sharp. Almost as if there is some play in the gearing internally... Since this is a FR guitar, I dont care all that much since I go a little flat with the tuners, lock the nut, and fine tune with the bridge.
Might end up changing the pickups/wiring for something different. I've had this combo pickups for YEARS and I even forget what I have in there. Pole pieces on the bridge pickup are even rusting it's been on the guitar for so long.
Neck feels very well made.. Fit in the warmoth body neck pocket very well. Very happy with this build!
congrats man, looks terrific.