Nocaster CS neck sizes/profiles

[axeman565758]

ok...some basic history AFAIK

from inception through roughly mid/late 2004 - "51 "U" shape, .990"+ at the 1st fret, 7.25"/vintage frets, NOS, CC or relic models neck depth

mid/late 2004 - approx 2009/10 - '51 "U" shape, .990"+ at the 1st fret, and choice of 7.25" radius/vintage frets or 9.5" radius/6105 frets NOS, CC or relic models
(this does not include special runs/one off's, artist models etc)

sometime in 2007-2008 - mid '60's Oval neck shape, 9.5" radius/6105's a ton of these made for Guitar Center. approx .850" 1st fret

2010/2011-forward - '52 "U" shape, ( .950" at the 1st fret) 9.5"/6105's

ok now my question. I found a Nocaster ( distant seller, no chance to put in hand, no return purchase) according to Fender Customer Service, it's a .990" neck ( YEAH BABY..!!!) 9.5" radius/6105 frets ( yessss, yesss.....) and a '52 Tele neck shape....????? HUH?
What shape is a '52 Tele ? How would a deep neck of .990" be different on a "52 neck"?

 

[Red Baron]

What shape is a '52 Tele ? How would a deep neck of .990" be different on a "52 neck"?

My 2007 Nocaster is .990" first fret and .990" 12th fret, with a 9.5 radius/6105's '52 neck profile (according to the Fender build spec sheet)... but in reality it's a BIG '51 Nocaster U neck. Bigger than the later '52 Tele necks.

 

[Stoj]

I totally agree Chris, My Nocaster neck profile was way bigger than my '52 reissue.

My Nocaster is : '51 "U" shape, .990"+ at the 1st fret, and a 7.25" radius

Killer playing, sounding guitar with the most comfortable neck I've ever owned or played :dude:

 

[RJLII]

My 2007 Nocaster is .990" first fret and .990" 12th fret, with a 9.5 radius/6105's '52 neck profile (according to the Fender build spec sheet)... but in reality it's a BIG '51 Nocaster U neck. Bigger than the later '52 Tele necks.

The build sheet for my '07 Nocaster says the same thing. The neck is a bat. A silky smooth, very toneful bat.

 

[Hot_Snake]

The "cunettos" and the early ones (99/00) have chunky necks, but not as fat as the big U necks found on later models ...
Until the end of '99 they also had the bigger frets, like the "cunettos".
I had the opportunity to play a real Nocaster two years ago, to my surprise the neck was not like the baseball bat found on the current production.

Talking about the specs, correct me if i'm wrong, the Time Machine series only had their definitive specs by the end of 2000 : neck shape, fret size, colour, bridge pickup
The early ones are differents animals, in feeling and sound.

 

[axeman565758]

OK....a lot of fact checking, calls to Fender Customer Service, in-hand inspections etc and I finally got my Nocaster.
What I found out is this: both the '51 and '52 necks share the same profile/shape. I think Fender was scaring off potential buyers, so they changed the neck name to '52 sometime after 2006.
Ive had a few "'52 neck" Nocasters come through my hands and most were .950" 1st fret depths. So I was confused when sellers were telling me they had a '52 neck and a .990" 1st fret.
Anyway, I made a purchase last week and I have to say, I have FINALLY found a Nocaster that has everything I want, including the neck size.

The build sheet from Fender reads as a 2007 Fender NOS Nocaster. .990" 1st and .990" 12th fret, with a "52 neck shape.

Well guess what??? It has a HUGE deep '51 "U" shape, .997" at the 1st and 1.02" at the 12th, NOS, which I wanted and an Ocean Turquoise finish. I didnt think I'd be crazy about the color, but in person, it's pretty darn cool looking.
The best thing??? The neck is absolutely identical to my 2011 NOS '60 CS Noneck Strat, both 1st and 12th fret depths and profile. Both have 9.5 radius/6105 frets. The guitar is like brand new. It appears unplayed: not a nick, ding, dent or scratch. The pick guard is even untouched!

So here's my pair of Louisville Sluggers:

 

[Soulweb]

I have a 52 Telecaster reissue that has a strange neck. It's 1.0 at nut and 1.0 at twelfth fret, but is a V neck profile. Doesn't feel or look like a V neck, but if you compare it to a standard Nocaster U-shape it does. I owned a Nocaster back in the day and it was flat-out unplayable to me. Like playing a 2x4 with soft edges.

 

[Red Baron]

Wow that's a beauty, I love the colour, congrats! :salude ...my 2007 Nocaster is also a custom colour (Shoreline Gold).

 

[axeman565758]

...my 2007 Nocaster is also a custom colour (Shoreline Gold).[/QUOTE]




thanks... and post a pic...I'd love to see that one!!!!!

 

[Red Baron]

 

[Stoj]

Chris your Nocaster & axeman565758 sure are beauties :dude::salude

 

[axeman565758]

As I thought. A black guard, with SLG looks amazing. Thanks for posting

 

[Red Baron]

Cheers guy's :salude

...man Nocaster's are sensational guitars aren't they, really hard to beat. :hank

 

[axeman565758]

Cheers guy's :salude

...man Nocaster's are sensational guitars aren't they, really hard to beat. :hank

it's scary....I am spending sooo much time with this Nocaster it's not even funny. People say the "planky, non-contoured" bodies of the Nocasters/Teles are uncomfortable compared to a Strat. But, I actually find the Nocaster more comfortable to hold, it's balanced perfectly when strapped on and the way my right (picking) hand sits on the bridge is wayyyyy more comfortable than my Strat. However, my Strat is certainly not bad to play and it's not going anywhere soon (although I've said that many times, about many guitars I've owned...lol)

 

[Chicken Scratch]

The "cunettos" and the early ones (99/00) have chunky necks, but not as fat as the big U necks found on later models ...
Until the end of '99 they also had the bigger frets, like the "cunettos".
I had the opportunity to play a real Nocaster two years ago, to my surprise the neck was not like the baseball bat found on the current production.

Talking about the specs, correct me if i'm wrong, the Time Machine series only had their definitive specs by the end of 2000 : neck shape, fret size, colour, bridge pickup
The early ones are differents animals, in feeling and sound.

Not only were the neck sizes inconsistent withe early time machines, some of them had non period correct figured maple necks:hmm:hmm

 

[axeman565758]

Not only were the neck sizes inconsistent withe early time machines, some of them had non period correct figured maple necks:hmm:hmm

wow..thats sweet....