Cracks in neck finish on USA P??

phaneo · #1 12-12-2009, 02:26 PM

I just took my 1995 USA Fretless P out of the case (been in there a couple of months) and noticed a few cracks in the finish on the back of the neck. Two small ones near the headstock one about 1" and another about 1/2". A little further down the neck towards the body is one about 3" and then one smaller one close to the body all horizontal or running the length of the neck. Should I be concerned? I love this bass and it's virtually MINT what could have caused this, and what can I do to prevent further damage.

Thanks

phaneo · #2 12-12-2009, 02:28 PM

I just took my 1995 USA Fretless P out of the case (been in there a couple of months) and noticed a few cracks in the finish on the back of the neck. Two small ones near the headstock one about 1" and another about 1/2". A little further down the neck towards the body is one about 3" and then one smaller one close to the body all horizontal or running the length of the neck. Should I be concerned? I love this bass and it's virtually MINT what could have caused this, and what can I do to prevent further damage.

Thanks

Flaked Beans · #3 12-12-2009, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phaneo

I just took my 1995 USA Fretless P out of the case (been in there a couple of months) and noticed a few cracks in the finish on the back of the neck. Two small ones near the headstock one about 1" and another about 1/2". A little further down the neck towards the body is one about 3" and then one smaller one close to the body all horizontal or running the length of the neck. Should I be concerned? I love this bass and it's virtually MINT what could have caused this, and what can I do to prevent further damage.

Thanks

can you post some pics of the neck/cracks?

StyleOverShow · #4 12-12-2009, 02:32 PM

I'm guessing that the finish is cracked and not the actual wood. Some pictures would help. I have a '76 Ripper that has some cracks in the (thin) finish (ain't complaining about the quality work of the good American folks in Montana that made it). Humidity and a generally drying out of the lacquer finish is shrinking a bit, causing cracks is my guess.

Why do you keep it under your bed? If it is your beloved......

-richard

The Birdman · #5 12-12-2009, 02:36 PM

A guy that works in a music shop showed me a similar situation on his 1997 P-Bass a couple of weeks ago. He is intending to try to turn it in on warranty for a replacement (he is the original owner). It was pretty bad.

Roger

phaneo · #6 12-12-2009, 05:04 PM

I can't get them to show up in any pictures. Flash blows them out etc.

phaneo · #7 12-12-2009, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Birdman

A guy that works in a music shop showed me a similar situation on his 1997 P-Bass a couple of weeks ago. He is intending to try to turn it in on warranty for a replacement (he is the original owner). It was pretty bad.

Roger

How would I even go about doing a warranty claim on a 1995 bass? I didn't realize that was possible

phaneo · #8 12-12-2009, 05:08 PM

How did you know it was under my bed

I keep it in the case b/c I live in a small place with a woman who has a tendency to always bump into my DB and this thing is mint. My Jazz is my primary bass with my current band. Just going to use it tonight on a gig so I pulled it out.

Anyway it is in the finish and I'm in CA so windows are open all the time. Just odd that it's happening now. I hate to see this any suggestions how to stop it?

Benjamin Strange · #9 12-12-2009, 07:09 PM

Finish cracks just happen, and there is very little that can be done about it. Wood swells and shrinks, and sometimes affects the finish.

The best thing you can do is just suck it up and don't worry about it. If it starts getting too out of hand, or it feels sharp under your fretting hand, it can be sanded and smoothed out, but to eliminate it completely means completely stripping and refinishing.

JasonLamb · #10 12-12-2009, 08:40 PM

Strange! I have a 95 strat that the back of the neck has a ton of finish cracks....

Jason Brown · #11 12-13-2009, 10:34 AM

It doesn't sound from your description, or look like from your location, but could it be possible the bass experienced an extreme temperature change?

I believe to be eligible for warranty work you would have to have the original receipt of purchase.

walterw · #12 12-13-2009, 08:47 PM

fender's likely going to call finish checking after 14 years normal aging (which it is). i wouldn't worry about it.

phaneo · #13 12-14-2009, 03:30 PM

Well evidently I overreacted. I've had the bass for close to 4 years and was taken off guard by the finish cracks. I try very hard to keep it in great condition and wanted to be sure it wasn't anything I could control or prevent in the future.

Thanks for the feedback