70’s Fender Stratocaster 7.25″ U-Shape Pau Ferro Neck

U-Shape Pau Ferro Neck
The 70’s Fender Stratocaster 7.25″ U-Shape Pau Ferro Neck with vintage frets and a U-Shaped back.

These 70’s Fender U-Shape Pau Ferro Neck Strat necks offer a 7.25″ fretboard radius, bullet truss rod, vintage frets and appear light brown and at times, with darker streaks and are often considered to look “drier” than rosewood. The neck’s tone is frequently described as brighter and more articulate than rosewood, with more projection. Similar to a Classic Series ’70s Stratocaster® “U” Neck, the neck feel is very smooth, often compared to ebony due to its dense, tight grain. Crafted with a gloss urethane finish for smooth playing and lasting durability on your guitar.

70’s Fender Stratocaster U-Shape Pau Ferro Neck Specs:

  • Upgrade your ’70s Strat with this genuine Fender ‘U’ shape guitar neck for vintage feel!
  • Enjoy vintage-style frets and a classic 7.25″ radius for comfortable, authentic play.
  • Crafted with a gloss urethane finish for smooth playing and lasting durability on your guitar.
  • The pau ferro fingerboard offers rich tones and complements the maple guitar neck beautifully.
  • Pre-slotted nut ensures easy string spacing; final filing needed for perfect guitar setup.
  • Install this ‘U’ shape neck for enhanced playability and tone on your Stratocaster guitar.

Fender Pau Ferro necks often used on Mexican-made (Player/Classic Series) and some licensed replacements feature a bright and “snappier” sounding neck. These maple necks typically feature a Pau Ferro fingerboard with a 7.25″ to a 12″ radius, offering a fast, articulate feel that sits between rosewood and ebony in both sound and texture. The 70s Pau Ferro fingerboard offers rich tones and complements the maple guitar neck beautifully.

John E. Davis is a Texas Rock Guitarist offering FREE guitar lessons videos and covers guitar equipment, concert and music news. Visit the website for information on Guitar Lessons, Guitar Repair and Live Music Performance videos.

Fender Pau Ferro Neck

Fender Pau Ferro Neck
Fender Pau Ferro necks, commonly used as a modern alternative to rosewood, feature a dense, smooth, and tonally versatile hardwood.

The Fender Pau Ferro Neck often times is an alternative to rosewood on a guitar. Moreover, feature a dense, smooth, and tonally versatile hardwood (Bolivian Rosewood) that offers a slightly brighter, snappier tone. These necks are often paired with maple, offering increased stability and a distinct light-brown aesthetic with varied grain. They are frequently featured on Player Series and Deluxe Series models. 

Pau Ferro Neck Key Features & Characteristics

  • Tone: The wood is harder and denser than Indian Rosewood, providing brighter, snappier tones similar to ebony, however with better warmth than maple.
  • Feel & Appearance: Pau Ferro has a very smooth, tight grain, often described as feeling similar to ebony, and typically features a lighter, milk-chocolate color with dark streaks.
  • Common Specifications: Most Pau Ferro necks from Fender feature a 9.5″ or 12″ radius, “Modern C” profile, and 21–22 frets.
  • Usage: Used widely on Mexican-made (Ensenada) models, including Player Series Stratocaster necks.

Fender Pau Ferro Neck 60s Specs

For the repair, replacement, or restoration of your cherished instrument, guitar technicians suggest using Fender OEM parts. This authentic Fender Road Worn ’60s Stratocaster neck merges a sophisticated look with an impeccable fret-hand feel. The mid-’60s “C” profile maple neck fits comfortably in the hand, and the pau ferro fingerboard with a 7.25-inch radius is favored by vintage Strat enthusiasts.

This neck features a pilot-slotted synthetic bone nut and a spaghetti-style headstock logo. Finished with a hand-distressed nitro coating, this Fender Road Worn ’60s Stratocaster neck is sure to impress.

Pau Ferro Neck are crafted at the Ensenada, Mexico manufacturing facility, this genuine vintage-style Fender Stratocaster neck features a comfortable “C”-shaped profile and 12″-radius Pau Ferro fingerboard with 21 medium jumbo frets.

For example, the synthetic bone nut is pre-slotted with “pilot” grooves for accurate spacing when filing the final string slots, and a gloss urethane finish offers an incredibly smooth feel. This replacement neck is the perfect way to give your Strat® an authentically ’60s feel.

This replacement neck is for a Fender or Squier by Fender guitar.

John E. Davis is a Texas Rock Guitarist offering FREE guitar lessons videos and covers guitar equipment, concert and music news. Visit the website for information on Guitar Lessons, Guitar Repair and Live Music Performance videos.

Pau Ferro Fender MIM Stratocaster Neck

Pau Ferro Fender MIM Stratocaster Neck
The 2021 Pau Ferro Fender MIM Stratocaster Neck.

Authentic Pau Ferro Fender Stratocaster necks, produced in Mexico (MIM), are typically seen on Player and Standard series. These necks are designed with a 9.5″ radius fingerboard, a “Modern C” profile, and include 21-22 medium jumbo frets. They provide a smooth and durable playing experience, presenting a slightly brighter and snappier option compared to rosewood, often showcasing lighter color variations.

Pau Ferro Fender Features and Specifications:

  • Material: Maple neck with a Pau Ferro fingerboard providing a smooth, dense playing surface.
  • Profile: Comfortable “Modern C” shape suitable for most playing styles.
  • Radius: 9.5″ (241 mm) radius is standard, offering a modern feel for bending.
  • Frets: Typically 22 Medium Jumbo frets, though some older Standard models may have 21.
  • Finish: Satin urethane on the back for fast playability, with a gloss headstock face.
  • Nut: Pre-slotted synthetic bone nut for easier installation.
  • Origin: Crafted at the Ensenada, Mexico facility. 

A well-playing Fender Stratocaster neck that originated from a signature model. It features 22 frets, a 9.5-inch radius, and a Pau Ferro fretboard. While some Pau Ferro boards can feel somewhat rough, this one is smooth and silky to the touch. The truss rod is fully functional. Please refer to the last photo to see the most significant imperfection on the neck, where a previous owner appears to have removed a broken string tree screw. I never required that string tree, so I simply placed a piece of pickguard over the area. This is only adhered with gorilla mounting putty, making it easy to remove if desired. Additionally, the little E string was initially positioned too close to the edge of the fretboard, so I adjusted the nut slightly. Overall, the neck plays exceptionally well and is in very good condition aside from the noted issues.

John E. Davis is a Texas Rock Guitarist offering FREE guitar lessons videos and covers guitar equipment, concert and music news. Visit the website for information on Guitar Lessons, Guitar Repair and Live Music Performance videos.