KLŌS Guitars has made a name for itself specializing in carbon fiber instruments – everything from electric and acoustic guitars to basses and ukuleles. But now, thanks to KLŌS, you can have the benefits of carbon fiber on your longtime go-to Fender guitar, with the company’s F-Series Carbon Fiber Neck Replacement upgrade for Stratocaster, Telecaster and Jazzmaster.
The question, of course, is why upgrade to a carbon fiber neck at all? As Guitar World Tech Editor Paul Riario explains in the accompanying demo video, “To put it simply, a carbon fiber neck will pretty much last forever.” But that’s not the only reason. Other benefits include the fact that carbon fiber has 60 times the strength-to-weight ratio of steel, “so what you get is supreme durability from the neck to the fretboard, plus the neck isn’t subject to wear and tear from travel and abuse,” Paul says.
Another benefit? Stability. “Extreme or gradual temperature and humidity fluctuations won’t impact the neck,” Paul says. “ Once you set-up the neck’s steel truss rod and the action where you want it, it won’t move and won’t need to maintain it.” Improved stability also means you can set up your action lower than you ever could with other guitars, allowing you to play faster and hit notes easier. .”
Feature-wise, each F Series neck is constructed of 100% carbon fiber, with a composite fretboard that is machine PLEK’d. It has a 25 ½ inch scale length, modern “C” neck profile, 22 jumbo stainless-steel frets, a TUSQ nut, white side dots and inlays, a steel truss rod, KLŌS machine heads, and the necks fit seamlessly into all Strat, Tele and Jazzmaster bodies.
Additional options on the F Series include a wide variety of carbon fiber pickguards, wide or narrow string spacing, KLŌS locking tuners and, for the southpaws, lefty necks.
But how do the F Series necks sound? Paul next gives us the full rundown, playing an unplugged Strat with a KLŌS replacement neck first. “What’s great about carbon fiber is it has this very quick response,” he says. “It’s just very loud and sounds so good. So even acoustically, these carbon fiber necks have really pronounced and defined lows. And once you get to the highs they just seem to poke through and slice.”
Paul then plugs in the upgraded Strat, putting the carbon fiber neck through its paces both clean and with gain. He then goes through the same process with a Telecaster fitted with a KLŌS F Series neck.
The results speak for themselves. ““Everything about it just feels right,” Paul says of the neck. “And because it’s PLEK’d, everything is so precise and in tune all across the fretboard. Plus, you get 22 frets instead of 21 – a ‘bonus fret,’ if you will.”
Paul’s verdict? First off, he stresses, “KLŌS isn’t disparaging wood necks.” Rather, he points out, “With their F-series, they’re offering an alternative and stable neck that combines traditional feel paired with modern materials and technology, along with unparalleled and accurate playability. So what you’re getting is no more dead spots, fret buzz or need for a re-fret. And no bowing or warping for your neck. Definitely check it out.”
For more information, head to KLŌS.
