Neck from S5470 to S540

[Dеmon]

Hi people!

I have a question for you. It's time to refret my neck from S540 1998. It will be scalloped also. May be. But it's not quick, and I want to replace my old neck with a new one from newest model for some time.

Can the neck from S5470 be installed to S540?
Does anybody know specifications of both necks?

[reguv760]

very unlikely.... fret seperation and the S5470 body shape are different:


Other than the obvious technical specs found in catalogs, the heel on the S5470 is similar to an RG prestige; there's no "lip" at the end of the fretboard. The profile plays like a wide version of the S540 neck I have, just slightly beefier around 12fret.
On the other hand, I don't think it's a good idea to do a 22fret > 24fret on that S540... just get a refret cause S540 necks are butter

Reg

[Dеmon]

Reg, would you please to make more pictures comparing necks of both guitars? And guitars too )

[reguv760]

I'll try when I find some free time for picture taking and turning that into some sort of a presentable A vs B format...
but so far, difference i've seen is how the ZR is placed closer towards the neck vs the S540's Lo-Pro, which is distanced further (notice how far the input jack is from the bottom edge of the S5470's body). Another difference is how deep the S5470 neck is mounted to the neck pickup (notice cutaway on humbucking ring) vs the complete gold ring and gap between neck and humbucker on the S540... And lastly, the spacing between H - S - H is slightly tighter on the S5470.
There's a few more like 5-piece vs 3-piece w/scarf joint, locking nut on S5470 doesn't angle down towards the headstock (by doing this, they've eliminated the string tree) and a slightly deeper cutaways at the horns.

Reg

[corey j grieve]

It wont work Demon,the S5470 is the scale length of an RG. It's styled and laid out like the original S540 it is based on,but is really an RG in every sense with its measurements. More likely swapping S5470 and newer RG necks would be possible (Rich?).
Honestly,(IMHO)refret the S540 neck! It's a better neck,the lack of 'super wizard' on the new S's kill's them for me!. C'mon Ibanez,it's like you've only done half the job!! Japanese Saber's without 17mm/19mm wizard profile's.....tssskkk...booo!

[Dеmon]

Another difference is how deep the S5470 neck is mounted to the neck pickup (notice cutaway on humbucking ring) vs the complete gold ring and gap between neck and humbucker on the S540...

This is not a problem. However I can put off this ring at all. Just like on RGA-series.

And lastly, the spacing between H - S - H is slightly tighter on the S5470.

That's a problem. I mean the scale length.

the ZR is placed closer towards the neck vs the S540's Lo-Pro, which is distanced further

I don't know but it seems that scale length is different on S540 & S5470. But I want to know this difference. If it is about 2-5 mm I can fit neck somehow. I don't think that necks differ more.

It wont work Demon,the S5470 is the scale length of an RG. It's styled and laid out like the original S540 it is based on,but is really an RG in every sense with its measurements. More likely swapping S5470 and newer RG necks would be possible (Rich?).

Bad. Why did they do so???

Honestly,(IMHO)refret the S540 neck! It's a better neck,the lack of 'super wizard' on the new S's kill's them for me!. C'mon Ibanez,it's like you've only done half the job!! Japanese Saber's without 17mm/19mm wizard profile's.....tssskkk...booo!

I want some tuning. I want 24 fret neck! Ok. Thinking about changing fretboard to another one with 24 fret. Can't post images...

Thank you for answers!

[stratoskier]

Terminology -- the "scale length" is exactly the same on both guitars (as well as the RGs, Jems, etc). They are all 25-1/2" scale, which is the standard strat scale. That refers to the distance from the nut to the saddles. BUT... the S5470 simply adds a couple of extra frets to the heel end of the neck. In order to accomodate that change, some differences are required in the heel design (both the neck and the body) and placement of the neck pickup.

[Dеmon]

the S5470 simply adds a couple of extra frets to the heel end of the neck

stratoskier, but how does it change tha scale length?

some differences are required in the heel design

Ok. It could be thicker or thinner, longer or shorter. Heel, I mean. But how is the whole neck modified?
I saw that 24 fret on the S5470 is situated almost right there where 22 fret on the S540 on the picture above. What does it mean? - I think that they (Ibanez) shift scale length relatively the whole guitar. Reg told:

difference i've seen is how the ZR is placed closer towards the neck vs the S540's Lo-Pro, which is distanced further (notice how far the input jack is from the bottom edge of the S5470's body).

So I take the neck from S5470. Heel is modified somehow a little. And I fit it into the guitar.
That's why I try to prove (myself more) that my idea can be realized.

Actually it must be verified on a real thing. But I don't where to get the such neck...

[stratoskier]

Originally Posted by Dеmon

stratoskier, but how does it change tha scale length?

Like I said in my post, it DOESN'T change the scale length (distance from nut to saddles). They're the same (25.5" on both). What is different is that the 5470 has a couple of extra frets sitting right where the neck pickup sits on the 540. Consequently, the neck pickup has to be moved a little more toward the bridge.

Bert

[Rich]

There is a very simple answer to this.

No.

[stratoskier]

Thank you, Rich.

And Demon, since you're new here and may not know this -- Rich is the resident tech guru. If he says they won't swap, you are well served to trust him.

[Rich]

The guitar is designed ground up to fit that neck. You'd have to modify your body to inset the neck the last 2 frets closer to the bridge. Or, move the bridge 2 frets closer to the neck pocket.

[Dеmon]

Ok. Thank you Bert and Rich! And others for answers.
I will think about making new unique neck and tell you about issues and thoughts if you want.

And Demon, since you're new here and may not know this -- Rich is the resident tech guru.

I bought one device on Rich's site for Lo-Pro Edge trem 5-6 years ago. Not myself but though. So I trust.

Thanks a lot!
Dim