stratocasters

[skibum5545]

How wide is a Strat body at its widest point?

Also, does anyone know where I can find an accurate diagram of a strat's neck pocket?

THanks!

[truerussian558]

for neck pockets check warmoth, i beleive they have diagrams so you can check if you can retrofit it onto your neck.as for width, its 12.5 inches wide at the widest points on the lower curve... thingy

[truerussian558]

here

and

that dimension is of the widest point, the neck pocket itself follows the neck taper

[skibum5545]

Thanks! About that width: I have exactly 12" to work with in wood width (that's just the size of wood I have handy, damn my luck!) Would it look okay if I modded the body shape to get rid of that half inch, or would it simply be worth it to buy a wider blank to make it look "right"?

[Southpa]

I don't think a 1/4" off either side would hurt all that much. That goes with the upper bout as well in order to maintain the classic strat shape. You would just have to draw it up, stand back and take a good look at it.

[truerussian558]

yes, thats the beauty of making your ownd guitar, you can mod the hell out of the shape you want, but i see one problem, generally the width of the lower bout goes out at least as far as the horns, and on a strat the distance is eathier small or nonexistant, so making a smaller bottom part will throw the entire body out of proportion, so you would have to decrease the horns also, but just draw it up and make sure it looks good to you, because thats what matters

damn it a minute to late,

im looking at my strat right now and the upper horn sticks out as much as the lower bout, so it might be a problem

[encore]

would you not just get the wood you removed from around the body contours to extend the width of the body around the horns or where ever you need it

[john]

good thinking batman.....