Fs1 Starcaster neck problem.

[Dale j]

The bottom part of the fret board or high E raises up way higher than the low E end. The neck feels unbalanced in the pocket making it hard to glue.

[Simon Barden]

Hi, Dale.

Some pictures might help us understand what's going on, and whether it's within normal tolerances or excessive and needs dealing with (or sending back).

The site will hoist pictures if they are resized to be less than 1500 pixels on the longest side, or you can host elsewhere and provide a link (maximum of four hosted pictures per post).

Even from big guitar names, you often get a slight difference in fretboard level from the bass to treble side. But if there's a section of an otherwise flat fretboard that's higher than the rest, then that's definitely a return.

Have you just received your guitar? With set-neck guitars, the pocket can be a little tight until the wood acclimatises. Air travel and low humidity shrinks the wood a bit. It's often best to wait a week before seeing if there is a real problem with the neck fit. If it's too tight at the bottom, then it's not going to sit correctly.

But there have been kits with badly fitting necks. Sometimes they can be fixed by gluing some veneer strips on and sanding level, sometimes they are beyond a casual repair.

So can you try posting some pics?

[Dale j]

[Dale j]

The high E side is very high. Has a gap also on that side so I'm trying to figure out if the neck isn't level or the actual pocket. Hen the guitar has the neck in and i put it on my lap like im playing, the low e side is quiet high off the body. But if i move the neck up a little more in the pock it all flattens out nicely. I'd love to rectify the problem and continue cause I love the kit. But I'm a little worried I might make the wrong choice and stuff it. I live in mandurah so only about an hour from pitbull guitars.

[Dale j]

I really appreciate the help Simon.

[Trevor Davies]

"But if i move the neck up a little more in the pock it all flattens out nicely."

How does it look when the neck is moved out of the pocket a bit? I think, from the second picture on post #3, that the end of the neck/fretboard should be out a few mm past the neck pup route (but that will be determined by checking the scale length).

Out of interest - is the depth of the body the same on both sides of the neck?

PS. Hello and welcome.

[Dale j]

Hey trevor, i tried what you said and the problem still stands. The high E side walls of body in the pocket are 33mm and low E was 35mm. The measurements of the neck that goes into the pock are off by a mm or 2 on either side. Only flattens out when I bring neck into pickup cavity. Any other place and the high E side of fretboard feels. The major thing I have noticed after measurements is that the middle part of the neck at the heel is 5mm bigger than the edges. So I think I have a little lump and isn't level.
Should I try block sand it level.

[Jetblack]

I wouldnt mess around with it, send it back and get them to replace it, better to be sure than sorry.

[Trevor Davies]

Hey trevor, i tried what you said and the problem still stands. The high E side walls of body in the pocket are 33mm and low E was 35mm. The measurements of the neck that goes into the pock are off by a mm or 2 on either side. Only flattens out when I bring neck into pickup cavity. Any other place and the high E side of fretboard feels. The major thing I have noticed after measurements is that the middle part of the neck at the heel is 5mm bigger than the edges. So I think I have a little lump and isn't level.
Should I try block sand it level.

Hi Dale j. I'm a bit surprised that more forum members have not replied to this.

If it was me - I would use a block to sand the base of the neck heel a touch, to get it sitting flat in the neck pocket, and see if that makes a difference. Maybe the neck should also be clamped to really test a good fit. I'm just not sure if this will fix the problem of the high e side though!

With the pickguard in place (if you use it), you may find the neck height is not much of an issue!

However, if you are worried about doing this, then contact Pitbull to see what can be done for you.

Also - if you look down the length of the fretboard does it seem nice and straight? The second picture on past 3 makes it look nice and straight - but it is hard to tell.

[fender3x]

Hi Dale j. I'm a bit surprised that more forum members have not replied to this.

If it was me - I would use a block to sand the base of the neck heel a touch, to get it sitting flat in the neck pocket, and see if that makes a difference. Maybe the neck should also be clamped to really test a good fit. I'm just not sure if this will fix the problem of the high e side though!

With the pickguard in place (if you use it), you may find the neck height is not much of an issue!

However, if you are worried about doing this, then contact Pitbull to see what can be done for you.

Also - if you look down the length of the fretboard does it seem nice and straight? The second picture on past 3 makes it look nice and straight - but it is hard to tell.

I think I agree with TD about everything except possibly the "order of battle." I'd probably try to talk to PB first. If you are close, it might be worth seeing if there is another neck that fits better...