Need help identifying a bass part

[Lenbytown]

My bass has a thin strip of wood at the top of each rib where the ribs meet the neck heel. It appears to be a separate piece of wood and is dark, maybe black (ebony?). Just wondering what this part is called and what its purpose is. Thanks.

[Sparty]

You may be better off posting this on the luthiers forum.. I'm sure they may be able to help.. ;0)

[Eric Hochberg]

Its a cosmetic filler strip or decoration. The ribs probably don't meet the neck heel cleanly. This is done sometimes when a neck is reset.

[George M]

we call them shoulders, they are there to hide the neck joint at the top of the bass!

[Jake deVilliers]

Originally Posted by Eric Hochberg

Its a cosmetic filler strip or decoration. The ribs probably don't meet the neck heel cleanly. This is done sometimes when a neck is reset.

That's not fair, Eric. The high end Wilfer basses have the ebony fillets for decoration, not because the guys don't have basic hand skills!

[MEKer]

Man, those Wilfer DB's are really bee-u-tiful! How do they stack up in competition with comparatively priced DB's?

Sorry----no derail meant but the OP question was answered yes? And I just checked out the Wilfers.

[Lenbytown]

Thanks everyone.

[Eric Hochberg]

Originally Posted by Jake deVilliers

That's not fair, Eric. The high end Wilfer basses have the ebony fillets for decoration,

Gee, Jake. I did give decoration as one reason for them...

[Jake deVilliers]

Originally Posted by Eric Hochberg

Gee, Jake. I did give decoration as one reason for them...

Yeah, and then you threw all makers under the bus with "The ribs probably don't meet the neck heel cleanly."

If you can't make the ribs fit the heel nicely, what do you think the odds are of making those delicate little ebony bits fit? On the rougher Chinese BSOs they just use filler in the gaps and opaque stains...

[Eric Hochberg]

Originally Posted by Jake deVilliers

Yeah, and then you threw all makers under the bus with "The ribs probably don't meet the neck heel cleanly."

All makers under the bus?, not my intent at all... And certainly not regarding Wilfer or other quality basses, unless work was done later
by a repairman to cover up something.

[Eric Hochberg]

Originally Posted by Eric Hochberg

Its a cosmetic filler strip or decoration. The ribs probably don't meet the neck heel cleanly. This is done sometimes when a neck is reset.

Alright, maybe this is more accurate

The ribs may not meet the neck heel cleanly.