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I own an American Standard Strat and over the years I've noticed that behind the neck screw plate there's a mechanism which appears to allow adjustment to the neck tilt.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USA-Fender-Strat-Tele-Microtilt-Body-Fitting-/261060935926?_trksid=p4340.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222001%26algo%3DSIC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D11%26meid%3D463024785069761140%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D1005%26rk%3D1%26

As I've never had the need to mess with, it can someone explain the how's and the why's for me please and is it fitted to all Strats if not why just the American Standard.

Bri

Hi Brian.
The Micro Tilt neck facility has been around quite a while now. I basicaly replaces the need to put a shim in the neck pocket if one is required to get the setup you want. Here is the Fender take on it.Stratocaster® Setup Guide - Fender® Support

Regards Geoff.



www.fender.com/support/articles/stratoc ... etup-guide

CBS-era Fender guitars (and basses) with the three-bolt, shield-shaped neck-plate were so designed because of the neck tilt mechanism. At the time, Stratocasters (all of them), Telecasters (only some models) and Jazz Basses were fitted with the system.

Burns guitars (particularly the Marvin) were constructed with a neck-tilt device from the mid-60s onward (still with four neck-fixing bolts). Fender picked up the idea later.

When Fender introduced the Vintage Reissue range in 1982, the three-bolt neck-plate and neck-tilt went out of the window, though they were later brought back in the various contemporary ranges (which have been given a number of different model names over the years).

Similarly, the headstock-end truss-rod adjustment (the "bullet", used on Strats, some Telecasters and the Jazz bass) was dropped in 1982, to be replaced by a blanked-off aperture (like 1950s Strats), but it was was later reintroduced for the standard range(s). I think it looks hideous to have a hole in the headstock of a Fender (adjacent to the nut), whether it consists of a chrome bullet or a more discreet opening for an allen key. Adjusting by having to remove the neck from the body is less convenient, but the headstock just looks better, that is all.

JN

The Tilt Neck "Micro" Adjustment has been added to insure greater accuracy in neck to body alignment. To adjust neck angle, loosen lock screw "A" two full turns. Screws "C" and "D" need not be loosened. Insert 3/32 Allen wrench (Furnished with instrument) through hole "B" in neck plate and into setscrew in bottom of hole. To increase angle, turn screw clockwise. This will place the strings closer to the fretboard. To decrease the angle, turn the screw counterclockwise. When desired adjustment is reached, Tighten lock screw "A" and re-check. As tightening the lock screw may alter adjustment slightly, repeat above procedure until desired setting is reached.
The Above is straight from my original 1979 owners manual

Thans for that info. I thought 'gently does it-don't mess with it if it isn't broken'.
Bri

JimN wrote: ... I think it looks hideous to have a hole in the headstock of a Fender (adjacent to the nut), whether it consists of a chrome bullet or a more discreet opening for an allen key. Adjusting by having to remove the neck from the body is less convenient, but the headstock just looks better, that is all.

JN

Having the adjustment at the body end also makes for a stronger neck, as you no longer have a hole in weakest point! Gibson and similar guitars have to do it that way as they don't have bolt-on necks.

Hi all
It obviously works Brian or I am sure Fender would have binned it before now if it didn’t. As Jim points out nearly all bullet truss rod guitars and Basses have what’s known as the three bolt micro tilt. Even re-issues’ like the 72 Tele Custom the72 Tele Thinline from Fenders Classic series the 75 Jazz Bass from the American vintage series. All Squire Jap Strats that were allowed into the States in 1984 had the Micro Tilt.
Mid 1983 to 2001 All Standard Sratocaster have the 4 bolt Micro Tilt.
2001 When they became the New American Series. All have the 4 bolt Micro Tilt.
So its as you say Brian if it isn’t broken don’t try to fix it.
Regards Geoff.

Burns guitars (particularly the Marvin) were constructed with a neck-tilt device from the mid-60s onward (still with four neck-fixing bolts).

Jim, interesting info. I've never heard about the neck-tilt feature on Marvins (which doesn't prove it doesn't exist). Can you elaborate on this please?
The original Marvin's were only produced in '64-65. When Baldwin took over in '65 the Marvin continued (with some changes) under the name 'Model 524 Hank Marvin Signature' til about 1970 IIRC. The descriptions I've seen on the Baldwin models doesn't mention any neck-tilt device either.

Erik

Shouldn't this be in the Guitars and amps section ?