And the 2-way truss rod on all but one headstock-adjust model. If that's important to you. To me, it's not a big deal, but I also don't run super light strings or live in a climate where frequent adjustment is needed.
I just ordered a MIM replacement neck. Specs say Modern C and satin finish. I have a MIA Strat with those specs, so I will report back on if I feel any difference
Really not that they can't... they just don't. Fender replacement necks are intended to be just that... replacements, as the OP is doing. They aren't intended to be used to build "Partscasters" and they are priced accordingly to push them to the higher end of the market. If Fender offered a compound radius on one of the MiM models, then there would be a MiM replacement neck available with it, but even among Corona-built models, only the Elite/Ultra has the 10-14. The only ones available are the American Deluxe and Channel Bound at 9.5-14. I think we'd see a compound on a limited release out of Japan along the lines of the HM Strat or Indonesia like the Adkins Tele before we see an MiM production model, given that they aren't common on US models either.
You're right. The MiM Charvel San Dimas offers a 12-16" board, and pretty sure that's MIM neck. I think it will depend on where the market goes. If Fender think they're losing sales to Korean or Indonesian manufacturers who offer compound boards on guitars in the same price range, then it may become a more standard offering. Schecter, ESP, etc spring to mind... but those compete more with Fender's Charvel and Jackson brands. But at the moment, it's a differentiator for their "elite" level instruments. But like so many other things originally only seen in elite... 2 point trems, contoured neck joints, locking tuners... these innovations can filter down the line over time.
Ya, I didn't even think about the Charvel/Jackson (do they still own EVH?) But they do make some of the higher end models from those lines in Corona.
I recently got a MIM one, so surprised, install and play, frets perfectly levelled under tension, a great neck.
My ideal strat neck would be quarter sawn satin maple with an ebony board, stainless jumbo frets (1601's) quarter sawn with black rimmed glow in the dark side dots, 22 frets bi-flex truss rod, the little rounded heel thing, bone nut and locking ratio tuners. Never gonna happen.
my 2004 MIM is satin maple neck, maple fret board. Fret work is stunning. Had a Fender pro freind ask if it had been plecked and worked. nope! ptegler
I have one of those guitars. Nice shredder neck with a compound radius, and made in Mexico. Love the satin finish on it too.
Simple answer-whatever feels best. Just don't look at the headstock and use your hands to decide. Personally my MIA feels the worst of all my necks, simply because it doesn't suit the way I play. Anyone else might think it superb-entirely personal and subjective. Just to chuck the proverbial cat amongst the pigeons, one of my favourite necks is a Chinese maple fret-board neck that cost under £20 including shipping, excellent fit and finish, plays beautifully . AND it's got a Telecaster headstock! So what....I've got a Stratotele....
