Acceptable neck gap on EBMM Stingray? <Pix>

MicG · #1 07-14-2009, 09:27 PM

Hey guys,

Recently bought a EB MM Stingray and noticed the following:

As you can see, I used a regular business card. Is this amount of neck-body gap acceptable/normal for a Musicman or should I be concerned? The other side is completely flush with the body with no gap present, Its just the one side as pictured.

Thoughts?

Metropolis_488 · #2 07-14-2009, 09:30 PM

unusual for an EBMM... a fender it's common on, not a 'Ray

boomba · #3 07-14-2009, 09:35 PM

My Stingray has the same amount of gap. This is common. The neck needs to have some gap to adjust the neck alignment from right to left.

ByF · #4 07-15-2009, 08:27 AM

A business card is about 0.008 inch. That's not bad. It doesn't hurt anything, and nobody will see it but you.

Ed

73jbass · #5 07-15-2009, 10:01 AM

Only .008? You should see the gap on my 73 Jazz! I wouldn't worry about it.

MicG · #6 07-15-2009, 10:37 AM

Thanks for the input guys. Yea, I special ordered this one and waited a while for it. Its still within GC's 30 days and I want to make sure all is well.

electracoyote · #7 07-15-2009, 10:42 AM

It's hard to tell from the pic, but you may have a slightly larger margin on the 4th string side between the string and the edge of the fretboard. Assuming that is the case, if you loosened strings, loosened screws, and shifted that neck ever-so-slightly toward the 4th string, then re-tightend everything, that gap would get even slimmer than it is now, and your strings might align better on the fretboard. I've had to do this with nearly every bolt-on in my collection. Necks shift, it's a fact of life.

Still, as-is, pretty acceptable.

elBandito · #8 07-15-2009, 12:51 PM

Looks like the E string has more fretbaord edge than the G string. So that would need the exact opposite of what you suggested. Shifting the neck towards E string would tighten the neck pocket, but you would end up with more fretboard edge on E string than the G string. You need to shift the neck towards G string, which would make the neck pocket on the E string side, even wider.

Quote:

Originally Posted by electracoyote

It's hard to tell from the pic, but you may have a slightly larger margin on the 4th string side between the string and the edge of the fretboard. Assuming that is the case, if you loosened strings, loosened screws, and shifted that neck ever-so-slightly toward the 4th string, then re-tightend everything, that gap would get even slimmer than it is now, and your strings might align better on the fretboard. I've had to do this with nearly every bolt-on in my collection. Necks shift, it's a fact of life.

Still, as-is, pretty acceptable.

electracoyote · #9 07-15-2009, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elBandito

You need to shift the neck towards G string, which would make the neck pocket on the E string side, even wider.

I respectfully disagree.

Remember, this is not moving the entire neck laterally, but changing the angle of the neck to make it more perpendicular to the body and strings. Shifting the neck toward the E string will make that string (which does not change position) appear closer to the fretboard edge.

Think about it. Or better yet, give it a try.

MicG · #10 07-15-2009, 02:15 PM

So it sounds like I need to give my new bass some TLC. I bought a set of D'Addario XL Nickel 45-105's and I plan to do a full set-up including a rub down of the fretboard with some lemon oil. Maybe i'll try shifting the neck a hair as suggested.

elBandito · #11 07-15-2009, 02:25 PM

See where I drew the white line? That's an exagerated distance from the board just to make a point. The strings dont move when you adjust the board. So when you push the board out towards the E string, what happens? The fretboard edge becomes more uneven. The E string side has more fretboard edge as it is, so moving the neck that way would make it worse. Capiche?

Remember, this is not moving the entire neck laterally, but changing the angle of the neck to make it more perpendicular to the body and strings. Shifting the neck toward the E string will make that string (which does not change position) appear closer to the fretboard edge.

Think about it. Or better yet, give it a try.[/quote]

elBandito · #12 07-15-2009, 02:40 PM

Have you tried it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by electracoyote

Think about it. Or better yet, give it a try.

MicG · #13 07-15-2009, 02:55 PM

You know, I just realized something. If I shift the neck in any way, won't that mess with the pickguard? Won't it be in the way? See how the 'guard just surrounds the wheel and end of the neck?

I'm a student and have class till late tonight. If I get the chance i'll try it and let you guys know. Thanks again.

electracoyote · #14 07-15-2009, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elBandito

[/IMG]The strings dont move when you adjust the board.

This is untrue. Because the string is moving with the nut, it does move...in the direction you move the neck.

Think about it some more.

electracoyote · #15 07-15-2009, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MicG

You know, I just realized something. If I shift the neck in any way, won't that mess with the pickguard? Won't it be in the way? See how the 'guard just surrounds the wheel and end of the neck?

I'm a student and have class till late tonight. If I get the chance i'll try it and let you guys know. Thanks again.

The pickguard might impede, but chances are it's cut with a small gap (just like the neck pocket). I have never had the pickguard impede this adjustment, which I've done dozens of times.

I should also say that to shift the neck in the pocket, you should hold the neck toward the headstock and gently pull the direction you want it to go, holding and pulling the body the opposite direction. You'll hear a small creak, nothing to worry about. Yours is so close, it won't take much at all.

boomba · #16 07-15-2009, 03:30 PM

I would not touch that neck at all. It is very close to perfect and I am not sure any misalignment is not due to the angle that the picture was taken. The only time I have made this adjustment is if the neck is so far off it is unplayable. You are asking for trouble. Think about it before you loosen up any screws.

elBandito · #17 07-15-2009, 03:52 PM

Try again. Neck pocket is much closer to the bridge so the nut is irrelevant. Bridge spacing is much wider and the string movement is negligible at best, when you move the neck at the pocket. You should stop thinking and try it and see with your eyes.

UncleBalsamic · #18 07-15-2009, 04:04 PM

It's not bad, as long as it's screwed tightly onto the body I wouldn't worry at all.

electracoyote · #19 07-15-2009, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elBandito

Try again. Neck pocket is much closer to the bridge so the nut is irrelevant. Bridge spacing is much wider and the string movement is negligible at best, when you move the neck at the pocket. You should stop thinking and try it and see with your eyes.

The neck at the nut moves more than the neck heel at the pocket. The string is stationary at the bridge, but swings with the nut. So, if the nut moves to the left (toward E side), the string moves to the left, and the string gets closer to the edge of the left fretboard. I've done this dozens of times.

I encourage you to give it a try. Despite the paranoia of posters above, this won't hurt the bass unless you go to extremes. Necks shift in their pockets all the time.

Give it a try and tell me how the experiment goes.

electracoyote · #20 07-15-2009, 07:01 PM

I'm probably doing a lousy job explaining this, and it is hard to envision, so I apologize.

Think of the neck heel/pocket as a pivot point, because that's what the neck does when you adjust it; it pivots. It doesn't move laterally in the pocket. When the neck pivots, the nut moves, the string is stationary at the bridge, and the string swings with the nut. This moves the string the direction of the neck movement. Think of a semi tractor trailer turning a corner.

I hope this helps.