Fender MIJ ST72-55 Overhaul | Part 2

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Pak Long's ST72-55 

What we have here is a Vintage White MIJ ST72-55 Stratocaster that belongs to Pak Long from Pekan. He brought his pride and joy to CA Guitar Repair for a preliminary diagnosis on November 30. The ST72-55 will be here for a while yet, as Pak Long has requested an overhaul and full refret.

Based on the serial number A005896, Fender Support suggests that this guitar was manufactured somewhere between 1985 and 1986. I will not dive into too many details in this post, but suffice to say that this guitar is far from original, as you will see later on. And now, as always, let's give it a go!

Large '70s Headstock/Bullet Truss Rod Nut

Brass Nut/Rosewood Fretboard

Gotoh Tuners

Vintage White Finish/Three-Ply Pickguard

Transparent Tremolo Cavity Cover

Fender Japan Three-Bolt Neck Plate

Serial Number A005896

Neck Heel

Truss Rod Anchor

ST-72-55 Neck Heel Stamp

Micro-Tilt Neck Adjustment

Befitting its designation as a '70s-inspired Strat, this ST72-55 features Fender's "Micro-Tilt Neck Adjustment." Jeff Owens describes Micro-Tilt as "an easy way of tweaking the angle of your guitar or bass’ neck in relation of the instrument body." 

The three basic components of Micro-Tilt are the "Neck Insert Disk" in the neck heel, "Body Insert Disk" in the neck pocket, and "Neck Adjustment Set Screw." The Neck Adjustment Set Screw, housed in the Body Insert Disk, is accessed through a hole in the neck plate; and adjusted with a 3/32" hex wrench.

Micro-Tilt Neck Insert Disk

Neck Pocket/Micro-Tilt Body Insert Disk

Micro-Tilt Neck Adjustment Set Screw

Neck Adjustment Set Screw - Profile View

Neck Adjustment Set Screw - Length

With all three neck screws loosened, turning the hex wrench clockwise raises the Neck Adjustment Set Screw, exerting pressure on the Neck Insert Disk and slightly increasing the neck angle. Conversely, turning the wrench anticlockwise lowers the screw and reduces the neck angle.

Set Screw Adjustment - 3/32" Hex Wrench

Clockwise Adjustment - Set Screw Raised

Anticlockwise Adjustment - Set Screw Lowered