Problem with string/neck/bridge alignment

[cfalcone71]

Hello, any info would be GREATLY appreciated...

I have been building a Strat and after final assembly discovered that the strings start to "dift" away from center on the neck. They gradually move closer to the edge on the high E side, to the point where it is almost not even above the neck/frets. I have built a couple of guitars prior to this and have not experienced this problem. I am guessing it might be a bad body...possibly a little off in the routing of the neck pocket/bridge. My components consist of the following: Fender USA 57' reissue neck, a mexican classic 50's body, Callaham vintage 6 point tremolo with 2 7/32 spacing. Everything I researched verified that this spacing was correct for the body I am using. I am guessing I should have just spent the extra $ and bought a better body since I didn't skimp on the other pieces. Any thoughts?

[gfxbss]

it does sound like the pocket is a bit off for the neck. are there any changes as you adjust the truss rod? are you sure that the nut slots are correctly spaced?

[flateric]

You have to re-rout the neck pocket wider on the bad side a half a millimeter so you can rotate the neck round a tiny bit, then shim the gap up with a sliver of wood. This will re-align the strings over the fretboard and p'up poles.

[ChrisK]

Actually, this is why Strat necks have a radius at the heel, to allow rotation within the pocket. Be glad it's not a Tele project. I just completed one and had to fit the neck into the pocket to eliminate this.

guitarnuts2.proboards45.com/index.cgi?board=music&action=display&thread=1163644536

You will have to "fit" the correct pocket alignment.

The wide spacing inherent in a vintage vibrato exacerbates this at the heel.

[spud1950]

Have you tried to shift the neck?Loosen the neck screws just enough so you can move it up or down in the pocket to correct the misalignment and then just tighten them back up.It usually only takes the slightest movement to fix the problem.Just move it carefully.Don't force it too hard.