Fender gurus: 3 bolt to 4 bolt neck replacement...how difficult?

Ostinato · #1 12-23-2006, 02:04 PM

Has anyone out there in TB'erland modded their 3 bolt bass for a 4 bolt neck? I'm wondering if the metal bits get in the way of what would be the two bottom holes, is this the case?

Does all that stuff have to be removed?

PS I'm not doing it myself, just wondering about the labour involved.

Looking forward to your replies....Merry Christmas everyone.

tplyons · #2 12-23-2006, 02:09 PM

Metal bits? You mean the neck tilt stuff? I don't recall them getting in the way, but I haven't had the neck off in a long time.

By the way, I opted to keep the three bolt neck plate and setup for aesthetics. The 4 bolt plate wouldn't cover the bottom hole of the plate.

Any particular reason you're considering the conversion?

As far as extra labor, I don't forsee much extra even if it involves digging out two small pieces of metal.

Ostinato · #3 12-23-2006, 02:27 PM

I have a wonderful sounding '77 Jazz with your typical Fender neck thats good for the archery range. I've tried everything and I know when to stop...so...there you go, I'm trying to salvage a very salvageable vintage instrument.

If you heard this puppy you would understand right away

I guess thats it then, I'm gonna do it as soon as I get the cash, thanks for the info..

I guess I gotta take some pics soon...

tplyons · #4 12-23-2006, 02:29 PM

Take it to a GOOD tech. Hell, I'd probably be so inclined to send it over the border to Dan Erlewine in Ohio or Michael Dolan in California.

Ostinato · #5 12-23-2006, 03:02 PM

I could if I would but that's a pretty expensive route to take , thanks to our wonderful taxation system we have in place here, but thanks for the advice.

I guess I've been playing so long that sometimes I forget that these older basses have a museum value as well as a player value...I'm gonna take it in to some local experts, but I think I know what they're going to tell me...

pics:

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...g?t=1166911151
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...g?t=1166911251

tplyons · #6 12-23-2006, 03:20 PM

I've seen worse necks salvaged. Most of the time they just need to be "helped along" with a semi-elaborate system of clamps, and washers to help the nut out. Best of luck, and beautiful bass!

Ostinato · #7 12-23-2006, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tplyons

I've seen worse necks salvaged. Most of the time they just need to be "helped along" with a semi-elaborate system of clamps, and washers to help the nut out. Best of luck, and beautiful bass!

Thanks.

Brad Johnson · #8 12-23-2006, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ostinato

Has anyone out there in TB'erland modded their 3 bolt bass for a 4 bolt neck? I'm wondering if the metal bits get in the way of what would be the two bottom holes, is this the case?

Does all that stuff have to be removed?

PS I'm not doing it myself, just wondering about the labour involved.

Looking forward to your replies....Merry Christmas everyone.

I personally wouldn't do anything that altered the bass from it's original design. These basses are going up in value and people will kick themselves much the same as people did after modding 60's basses.

You're saying it's cost prohibitive to send the bass or just the neck out for repair?

Ostinato · #9 12-23-2006, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad Johnson

I personally wouldn't do anything that altered the bass from it's original design. These basses are going up in value and people will kick themselves much the same as people did after modding 60's basses.

You're saying it's cost prohibitive to send the bass or just the neck out for repair?

Well I broke right now...so yes

I know what's stake though..the neck is in very very very good shape for it's age, I think this bass has been stored more often than played as it stinks of mold...if I showed the case you'd probably vomit.

The details (sung to the tune of The Twelve Days of Christmas):

It would take a magician to get this neck straight, that's how bad it is. The truss is fully engaged and there's no room for the nut to go....
I tried using four (yes four) washers under the bullet to get more engagement from the nut and that didn't work....
The neck will move only with a substantial amount of hand/knee pressure....
I don't know if a new truss rod would do one bit of help...
Heat treatment on instruments with large inlays doesn't give very pretty results, so that's out....

I just can't think of anything a repairman could do to fix it, but then again, I'm not a professional.
The neck is firewood, grant you it is the most exquisite piece of firewood, but it's tinder. God d@mn shame it is.

...and a partidge in a pear tree...and so on.

CROZ · #10 12-23-2006, 04:55 PM

Send it to Mike Lull, IIRC he has some elaborate jig thing made just for straightening out jazz bass necks.

Brad Johnson · #11 12-23-2006, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ostinato

Well I broke right now...so yes

I know what's stake though..the neck is in very very very good shape for it's age, I think this bass has been stored more often than played as it stinks of mold...if I showed the case you'd probably vomit.

The details (sung to the tune of The Twelve Days of Christmas):

It would take a magician to get this neck straight, that's how bad it is. The truss is fully engaged and there's no room for the nut to go....
I tried using four (yes four) washers under the bullet to get more engagement from the nut and that didn't work....
The neck will move only with a substantial amount of hand/knee pressure....
I don't know if a new truss rod would do one bit of help...
Heat treatment on instruments with large inlays doesn't give very pretty results, so that's out....

I just can't think of anything a repairman could do to fix it, but then again, I'm not a professional.
The neck is firewood, grant you it is the most exquisite piece of firewood, but it's tinder. God d@mn shame it is.

...and a partidge in a pear tree...and so on.

That's the point... you aren't a professional. So before doing soing non-reversable have a pro look at it. If you can't afford to do that right now, wait.

Turnaround · #12 12-23-2006, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad Johnson

That's the point... you aren't a professional. So before doing soing non-reversable have a pro look at it. If you can't afford to do that right now, wait.

There are numerous excellent techs in this town - why not get an evaluation from one of them before you make any decisions. If you are convinced that the neck is really firewood - could I convince you to pass it my way? I will trade some well seasoned hardwood that split ready for your fireplace. I am looking for "hopeless" instruments and parts for demonstration purposes.

joeyl · #13 12-23-2006, 10:01 PM

probably needs to be clamped in a strong backbow position and trussrod nut then tightened. That works, you could place the neck fretboard towards the ground, with both ends on thick books, and press in the middle with your knee. That would let the 2 hands free for turning the wrench

steveb98 · #14 12-23-2006, 11:29 PM

Sound something like my Lakland Bob Glaub it is serial number 5 and appear who had it before me had just stored it and never played it. The neck was pretty bowed when I got it, but my repair guy got it back in shape. I had a 65' Precision and that neck had a screwed up truss rod, never was able to get the action down. Plus if you didn't play the bass daily the neck would bow even more. I sounded so good I just got used to the high action and played it for a decade before selling it.

As to your bass if it was mine and the neck was that funky I would just remove it buy a nice replacement neck and take advantage of the rest of the vintage bass. Keep the old neck and put it back on or include it if you ever sell the bass.

Brad Johnson · #15 12-25-2006, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveb98

Sound something like my Lakland Bob Glaub it is serial number 5 and appear who had it before me had just stored it and never played it. The neck was pretty bowed when I got it, but my repair guy got it back in shape. I had a 65' Precision and that neck had a screwed up truss rod, never was able to get the action down. Plus if you didn't play the bass daily the neck would bow even more. I sounded so good I just got used to the high action and played it for a decade before selling it.

As to your bass if it was mine and the neck was that funky I would just remove it buy a nice replacement neck and take advantage of the rest of the vintage bass. Keep the old neck and put it back on or include it if you ever sell the bass.

So you'd bail on trying to fix it first? Just curious.

Stuggi · #16 12-26-2006, 02:07 AM

I don't really see the problem here. Why can't he just get a replacement 3-bolt neck if he's on a thight budget, and then get the original neck repaired at a later time?

Ostinato · #17 12-26-2006, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuggi

I don't really see the problem here. Why can't he just get a replacement 3-bolt neck if he's on a thight budget, and then get the original neck repaired at a later time?

Hey if you know somebody that makes one let me know.

Not Fender!

Brad Johnson · #18 12-27-2006, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ostinato

Hey if you know somebody that makes one let me know.

Not Fender!

What he said.

Audiophage · #19 12-28-2006, 08:28 AM

That's a damn hard neck to replace and a pretty sweet one from my experiences on my '77 Jazz. Try looking for parts for the Marcus Miller 4 string, it's basically a replica of a 1977 Jazz Bass but with a Badass II bridge and that Sadowsky preamp. It has the 3 bolt neck you're looking for, but without a microtilt hole.

guy n. cognito · #20 12-28-2006, 09:11 AM

This should be said again: before you start hacking on that bass, take it to an EXPERIENCED technician and have him perform a complete evaluation. I'd be willing to bet that a pro could easily fix that bass. Having it fixed will probably be cheaper that buying a new neck and getting it installed.

Once you start hacking on that bass, you will ruin it's value.