Adjusting Neck Pocket for New Neck?

Livewire · #1 09-19-2011, 12:28 PM

Hey guys, complete luthier noob here... So I've decided I want to change the neck on my Jazz bass project. When I first started it, I put on a Mighty Mite P bass neck on a squier jazz body. The neck was nice at first, but it's a little too thick for my liking. I had to shim the neck pocket on the body in order to fit in the neck. Now, I'm looking to put a Squier Classic Vibe 60s jazz neck on the body. My question is, if the pocket is too wide, what can I do to make the neck fit in just right? Any help/advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

bassgod0dmw · #2 09-19-2011, 12:39 PM

The neck pocket should be the same size...

JLS · #3 09-19-2011, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Livewire

Hey guys, complete luthier noob here... So I've decided I want to change the neck on my Jazz bass project. When I first started it, I put on a Mighty Mite P bass neck on a squier jazz body. The neck was nice at first, but it's a little too thick for my liking. I had to shim the neck pocket on the body in order to fit in the neck. Now, I'm looking to put a Squier Classic Vibe 60s jazz neck on the body. My question is, if the pocket is too wide, what can I do to make the neck fit in just right? Any help/advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

Wood putty...just kidding.

As long as it screws down tight, the only issue is cosmetic.

dave_bass5 · #4 09-20-2011, 08:38 AM

Timely thread.
Ive got a Lakland JO neck coming and im hoping to get it on my Squier CVP somehow. I know the holes will line up but i believe the neck pocket will be loose.
Ive been advised to use a few different things, including balsa wood, thin card and even metal shims.

**Syco_bass** · #5 09-20-2011, 04:37 PM

You can use wood vaneeer glued to the sides, but I would only use one on each side. Don't try to stack them. I would also use some sand paper on the bottom to create some friction in the pocket so that the neck doesn't travel on you. You can also use some double sided carpet tape to do the same thing. It's nice and thin and won't throw off your neck angle too much.

Alternatively, if you have a nice peice of wood (not painted) you can add thicker shims (1/4") and re-route to size. that would be the preferred method.

Good luck

Livewire · #6 11-25-2011, 01:31 PM

Any other input? Really wanna put the squier classic vibe j neck in my project bass, it's the cheapest, best feeling, neck I can find. I'm done with mighty mite

dave_bass5 · #7 11-25-2011, 01:36 PM

My Lakland neck arrived and its heel is a little too narrow for the Squier body. The 4 screw holes lined up perfectly but there is a gap between the body and the neck.
Ive got a couple of stirips of very thin balsa wood down there, colouerd the tips in with felt tip markers and it plays fine.
Its not perfect close up but im not getting any issues with the neck.