Neck Joint Routing Template For Fender

i ordered the template cause i wanted an acurate one, but man is this thing oversized or what? Forget about the tape, done it and still doesnt work right. Its funny cause i had done one my self by tracing the strat neck that i have, and still ordered this one thinking it would be better. Very dissapointing.

I'm getting one of these, but understanding there is a width variance, I will most likely minimize the variance using copper shielding tape (not binding tape which I feel has a gummier adhesive) then transfer the template to MDF thus creating a new and more accurate template.

I'd love to see Stew-Mac offer three templates, this one, one a tad smaller for a tighter fit, and a third that's angled slightly for angled neck pockets. Sell them as a three-fer.

The template itself is accurate but too thin which means you need to use spacers and then reset the template a second time which is a hassle and causes a margin for error. I save this as the Master and use it to make a 1/2" MDF Template so I dont have to use spacers. The worst thing I've found with plastic templates is that if a bearing decides to freeze up then it quickly melts the template side wall. Keep your plastic templates as "Masters" and use MDF. Just my opinion.

Have purchased a wide variety of high quality Stewmac products, but this neck template disappoints. It is deliberately cut oversized in order to accommodate variances in individual neck widths. In theory, a good idea, but in practice can create problems. Directions say to build up inside edges of template with tape until a tight fit with neck is achieved. I did so, but while routing a test pocket, the heat of the router bit bearing melted the tape adhesive which caused it to come loose, and the bit jumped, cutting into the acrylic, ruining the template. I ended up just tracing and cutting my own MDF template which worked well.

Wish I bought this template sooner. Follow the new instructions and you will be good to go.

This template is sold as a "FENDER" neck template. Yet it is over-sized to accommodate over-sized Fender "type" necks. To actually use it for a Fender neck requires padding the template or router bit with tape. Seems like a "FENDER" template should fit Fender products. Very disappointing and unprofessional.

To be fair, these aren't unusable as they come, but to have a nicely fitting neck joint you're going to need to either tape the edges to reduce how oversized these have been cut, or use bearing guided bits on your router to counteract it. A shame really as the rest of the templates have been great! :(

I bought this template to aid in a bass build I was doing for a pal. The neck is from Allparts, the heel is a tad smaller than the temp. I used masking tape to down size the template and it worked great!

The template is the perfect shape of Fender neck heels, as you would expect. I wish it were a little thicker, though, because using a 1/2 inch high bit, and starting with 1/8 inch deep route, causes the bearing to be above the template. I know the instructions say to put some shims under the template to give it extra height, but it it were just 1/8 inch thicker this would not be needed.
Having to stop and remove the shims introduces the possibility that you won't align it exactly the same when you do the deeper passes, causing a bit of ledging on the sides of the pocket.

This is a nicely made accurate template with one huge flaw. It is way too oversized. The instructions say to use masking tape to increase the bearing size. This does not work well. If the bearing catches at all it simply melts off the tape increasing the route size and ruining your project. They should offer a template in the correct size and also an oversized version.

Most variations are about .005 to .010 not .040 it's just too much. I have purchased one elsewhere that is the correct size and it's far less hassle. I should have returned this one as soon as I measured it!!