The Truth About Expensive Guitar Necks: Worth the money?

Truth about expensive guitar necks? Are they worth the money? Even a Fender neck? So what is it? It's a Jeff Beck brand new neck off a new guitar. But is this JB neck worth the high cost? twice the price of a made in Mexico neck? Find out in this review!
Contents:
00:00 Start
00:16 Intro & Preamble
00:56 How I got the neck
01:58 Unboxed neck
03:08 First look
03:57 Neck close up
04:06 Head stock
05:06 Roller nut history
06:07 Fingerboard & frets
07:53 The heel
08:50 Head stock back
09:41 Locking tuners
10:24 The dent!
12:00 More about roller nuts
12:50 Fender tag
13:20 Other info & specs
15:13 LSR nut specs
16:06 Fret specs
17:07 Custom shop prices
17:28 Truss rod
18:27 Summing up
19:30 More on total cost
21:10 Overall score
What you will learn:
Why buy a Jeff Beck version?
What about those locking tuners?
What is the price?
Where can I buy one?
Frets - the lowdown?
Related links:
My website: tonymckenzie.com
My original guitar prices video 2021: • SO YOU COLLECT & PLAY ...
My recent guitar prices video 2024: • How to buy BRAND NEW g...
Fender made in Mexico Stratocaster neck review: • I bought a guitar neck...
Well it's a fact. This Jeff Beck genuine Fender brand new guitar neck is just a Fender neck? Right? Well not quite. For those guys that love the sort of 1962 era of Fender necks on Stratocaster's I'm sure that they would 'get along' with this JB neck amazingly. And do bear in mind that the Jeff Beck neck is a 'signature' neck and those are often better quality and finish than the Fender standard necks.
Now these Jeff Beck necks really are not being sold for a song! These necks do cost far more than say the recent made in Mexico standard Fender replacement neck I reviewed recently. In fact typically the best I have ever paid is about double the price of the Mexican neck for these Jeff Beck necks - if you can even find one. This one was bought off eBay from 'The Stratosphere' (their trading name) for about £500 shipped and landed.
So what's so special about the JB neck - with a 2023 specification build date. Actually there are lots of things that make these necks very special. I bought this neck because I had previously bought a brand new Jeff Beck body from the same seller and I wanted to complete the guitar. But if you want a 'similar' neck to the 1962 Fender era then you could do much worse than this one.
Unlike earlier JB necks, this one has a really nice neck profile and great for a guy like me with those small hands. It has locking tuners (on the one I bought) and has a roller nut that helps with keeping the guitar in tune. The rosewood neck has been finished on the maple side with mat finish that's as smooth as could be, and of course the fret board has been 'rolled' nicely. Lastly the frets are finished well and need little or no work. Remember these come off brand new guitars sh they should be finished exceptionally well. I have yet to find a bad one!
Like the Mexican neck, it's a 22 fret neck and is designed to fit a Stratocaster. and bearing in mind Fender made it, its likely to fit them! I would describe the neck feel as an thin C shape (just an opinion) - I have smaller hands but this neck fitted like a glove.
Now for the neck radius this neck has a fixed 9.5 inch radius, enough to help stop that choking off of strings like they do on a 7.25 inch radius neck. Frets are standard Fender material.
So is this a neck really worth buying? Watch the video and I give all the reasons why you should seriously consider a Jeff Beck neck - if you can find one.
I bought this neck personally and this is entirely an non sponsored review. My opinions about the neck and the Stratosphere really are my own! You can totally trust this neck review to be entirely genuine opinion and if the item under review is ever less than it should be I ALWAYS say so.
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, RING THE BELL, AND THUMBS UP to give my channel a boost and thank you for watching - I hope the video is enjoyable for you and that you see the things in it that other reviews NEVER show!.
(c) A B McKenzie and tonymckenzie.com 2009-2024
All Rights Reserved. All Trade Marks Acknowledged
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#fender #stratocasterguitar #jeffbeck #guitarparts #neck #frets #tonymckenzie #signature #review #reviewer #guitar

[@marcotaticchi5343]

Thank you for your precious review Tony. Much appreciated.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Well thanks for watching... appreciated.

[@SnyperMac1]

I’ve had a Jeff Beck strat for years, I really like the guitar but for me it’s primary use is surf music, and it shines in that aspect. I don’t however find much use out side of that particular use. I picked it up new for around $1200 Canadian many years ago.

[@tonymckenziecom]

A particularly good price compared to today... you don't say how old but they have changed a little over the years, neck shape, roller nut, pickups I believe... thanks for watching.

[@lukesteverything627]

I was looking forward to this. Thanks Tony for another really interesting view. I wish I could find the same sort of thing for Les Pauls.

[@tonymckenziecom]

You can buy Les Pauls but as body and neck combo. But its not quite the same really. Thanks for watching.

[@trudge78]

It is interesting how your guitar neck says Made in USA under the Fender logo but other necks built in 2023 say Corona, California under the Fender logo. Great review!

[@tonymckenziecom]

A good point... and one I have no answer for... so ANYONE have the answer to this? and thanks for watching.

[@digital-guitars-uk]

Like 72 from me. Looking forward to seeing the strat complete. All the best mate 👍👍🎶🎶

[@tonymckenziecom]

Thanks for the visit and I trust you're doing OK. I did the build tonight and it seems pretty good :) Just the playing to do and then I can post the video. But short of time as going USA side for a while. I'll be back! :) and thanks for watching.

[@gamjammallota78]

"If you build it they will come" someone once said. Now get out of here. And get to work so we can see and hear it and then "I'll be back".

[@tonymckenziecom]

Its completed now but whether I get time for the vid before I go to the USA we shall see. Thanks for watching.

[@aipsong]

Thanks, Tony, for another great video. Don’t fret, just BECKon your inner Jeff and stick your neck out. No one will cut it off !

[@tonymckenziecom]

Ha that was painful :) Ha if they hear my 'Jeff Beck' playing they might! Thanks for watching.

[@jeffrowlette]

The neck is EVERYTHING to me.....the neck MUST feel right or I couldn't care less about the rest of the guitar. Some of my favorite necks were on the Squire Bullet guitars...cheap guitar, AWESOME necks... So I bought 3 of them and upgraded the rest of the parts.... The neck is everything.

[@joeking433]

The neck IS the guitar! I've bought cheap $50 Chinese necks and with a little leveling make great necks! CNC machines have changed neck making.

[@jeffrowlette]

@@joeking433 Absolutely agree 👍

[@joeking433]

@@jeffrowlette Yeah, guitar makers try to make you focus on other parts of the guitar but they are pretty irrelevant and are basically commodities these days. The neck is the interface and it's by far the most important part of the guitar. I get all my wood necks Plek'd but have went to aluminum and composite necks because they're so perfect.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Yes the neck really is... I have also bought many different necks and most have been reasonable to OK to very good... thanks for watching.

[@dontuateytu2557]

A bit disappointing that it’s flat sawn and not quarter sawn which is the biggest factor .

[@tonymckenziecom]

That's a great question and I wonder of the Custom Shop Jeff Beck neck is quarter sawn, or the same as this one but costs more money? Anyone out there know the answer? And thanks for watching.

[@thegoat11111]

They have some nice items but £62 postage for an 80 pence item is taking the ***!

[@tonymckenziecom]

Ha I agree entirely with that - and my guess is they just don't want to sell it outside USA as there is no alternative post. I have seen exact same issue! Great point. And thanks for watching.

[@Deliquescentinsight]

Excellent Tony, you have saved some serious cash on a Jeff Beck Strat, very interesting mate.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Yes I think so too - and that was the aim of the project - to show that it can be done. Thanks for watching.

[@joeking433]

How do you adjust the height of the strings with a roller nut? Did they already do that?

[@tonymckenziecom]

The LSR roller nut has shims. I did fit one on camera some years back in a guitar build (was a Warmoth neck) - its somewhere in the guitar builds I did but worth watching if you find it. Thanks for watching and great question.

[@hwnfrd]

A lot of tangible things are obtained because of prestige rather than practicality and or performance . On occasion the two are found in one product but usually it's one or the other and it all depends on the individuals wants and needs. For example, a certain piece from a set is selling for $100 and buyer (A),needs that piece to complete their set, it would be well worth the price for that particular buyer, however if buyer(B), is interested in the same item just because it looks nice, they may not be willing to pay that much, then comes along buyer(C), who wants the piece because some famous person also owns the same thing so they want the feeling of having something in common with the celebrity then it may be worth more than $100.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Good points for sure. Me? I bought this neck because I already know exactly what I'm buying and even without the JB credentials (I'll call them that) I would still buy one of these - for me, on a strat its a very good neck - a bit 62'ish but 9 inch radius helps it greatly I think. A good post really and it does reflect what people do. Thanks for watching.

[@JgHaverty]

jeff beck strat bodies are cool; they are made of basswood and he pissed a lot of people off doing that lol. "BuT MaH ALdER/SwaMP AsH". The jeff beck neck isnt my jam though, I always prefered the Clapton ones if I had to peg a "signature" model; though thats completely subjective. The Jeff Beck ones are just way too similar to your standard fare thin c american shape to be worth the cost in my oh-so-humble opinion lol. Definitely "cool to own" though! All that said; and I know this is peak vanity, but sometimes I just want that fender headstock to say "made in usa" lol. Never liked LSR nuts, they work fine... but so do bone nuts lol. Im glad you have one and im glad you like it; but for my tastes, this is definitely one that I'd never find the value in personally. The point is... you enjoy it and youre glad to own it I take it :)

[@tonymckenziecom]

Hi JG... when I looked it reported Alder? Maybe the CS might be different? but this one here I'm pretty sure is alder. I stand corrected if you are right... I like the neck myself and don't mind the LSR nut... but each to his own - I get it :) Thanks for the point and for watching too...

[@JgHaverty]

@@tonymckenziecom Oh you know what, im talking out my butt a bit. The malmsteen strat was basswood for a bit. Jeff Beck's personal strat (his main squeeze) is also basswood; and his signature WASNT basswood; thats why people were upset lmao. Yes, alder it is, my bad. Not correct but not completely "wrong" lol, either way my bad lol. I will say, that neck at leasts *looks* the business, thats pretty damn clean all around.

[@FlyingCircusAct]

The shirt screams party animal.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Ha party bird :) Thanks for watching.

[@heavymetal6910]

Tony congrats on getting that neck at a great price. Can I ask, did you validate the serial number with Fender to prove authenticity ?

[@joeking433]

I think you can trust the Stratosphere. Other dealers maybe not as much.

[@heavymetal6910]

@@joeking433 maybe it is just me, but if I was handing over hundreds of £s for a neck, I would ask stratosphere for the serial number on it, have fender authenticate it, and if it all checks out, pay the man. I'm sure this wouldn't be strange for the seller.

[@joeking433]

@@heavymetal6910 You can trust the Stratosphere. You're getting carried away with your paranoia. Stratosphere has hundreds of different Fender parts. They would be the most likely to be a legit source of parts. What you want to stay away from are small sellers or sellers of individual necks. They can be counterfeited. The Chinese are really slick as far as giving "authentications". I have bought Chibsons that come with all the hang tags, stickers, and certificates of authenticity.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Exactly! Joe King - classic name... :)

[@tonymckenziecom]

@joeking433 I could not have said it better! good post. Thanks.

[@Barbarapape]

A very nice neck with locking tuners and a roller nut what more could you ask for? Ok there is that minor blemish that i would correct, but it is in far better shape than the wrong neck that Fenders infamous "Custom Shop" fitted to my Bonnie Raitt Strat that i rejected. All you have to do now is to fit the neck and do a full setup which i am sure will be no problem for you. Hope you can find a few more bargains whilst you are back in the USA.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Ha 'the wrong neck' I smile as I read it, but that is weird for sure :) But great info of what can clearly happen. I'll look around in the USA and I am taking the camera gear for the Dallas show. Often guys don't make videos of Dallas show too well... they rush around etc. but I'm going to try hard this time to be creative... we shall see. Thanks....

[@Barbarapape]

@@tonymckenziecom Yeah even the dealer (Cranes) were shocked, with not only the wrong and very poor paint finish, but a totaly wrong neck which was damaged! Enjpy your time in the USA, i hope you find some new and interesting gear to review, the shows are always very busy.

[@hannuhanhi183]

Love your sarcasm on this overprized unfinished turd ♥

[@tonymckenziecom]

Well whether you like it or not, maybe YOU should make a review... I'm sure that you might have a hard time in criticising this neck. Thanks.

[@yogiguitar1]

it is a bit overpriced for what it is to be honest nice as it is .

[@tonymckenziecom]

I agree its not cheap... but the guitar is £2295 here in the UK so the £500 seems good... Thanks and thanks for watching.

[@petersmith143]

Overpriced i believe. I'm no fan of endorsement guitars that are double / triple the price because of a signature. I'll leave that stuff to others.... Get a guitar that suits you and make it yours....

[@tonymckenziecom]

I did? The signature is irrelevant really. I bought it because I like the neck. From what I see at the price I paid it was about right... unless someone does not like Fender. Me? I think this is a pretty good neck comparable to many other top end brands... and thanks for watching btw...

[@joeking433]

I don't know how Stratosphere makes money, TBH.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Well there must be some way they do it and I'm not privy to it either. He's been around a long time that's for sure. Thanks for watching

[@joeking433]

@@tonymckenziecom Yeah, I've probably bought 4 bodies and maybe 6 necks (all Mexican) from Stratosphere and have always been impressed.

[@BryanClark-gk6ie]

If you'll eat'Cornbread' pickled hog knuckles and cabbage for breakfast'. A person will make better decisions in life. You won't notice any differences until after the first week because it takes that long to realize you've been making bad decisions.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Never mind eh...

[@martinclayton7260]

Opinions are like arseholes, everyone's got one, and they all stink!

[@tonymckenziecom]

Clearly if the review is not for you... then... thanks.