Fender Precision neck not fitting Fender Jazz body

[Dinosaur Punk]

(I've also posted this at the Fender Jazz forums, but thought I might get some advice from my TB-er's as well)

I finally got all the hardware for my FrankenJazz and the neck is way too high off the body.

The components involved are a 1968 - 1972 Precision Neck and a 200? Highway One Jazz body. Is there any reason why these should be so vastly incompatible?

I understand in principle the concept of shimming the neck, and I believe that I can create a shim to angle the neck more appropriately. (Dan Erlewine shows how in this video, which I have and have watched multiple times). However, how much is too much mismatch in parts compatibility? Should I consider a different method or even buy a different body?

This is my first Fender Bass, although I've been playing other brands for 30 years. I've had a Strat for 30 years as well, so I'm not new to Fender. I just thought these parts would be much closer in compatibility. Any tips?

Neck sits really high off body:


Straight edge laying on frets:



Straight edge laying on frets – full view:


Straight edge laying on frets – close up:


With pickguard in place to see how it “should” look . . .


Trying to get some idea of a measurement:


It’s about 3/4″ off of the bridge plate:


To give some idea of scale, there’s a US Quarter coins wedged straight up between A and D bridge saddles



They asked over at the other forum:

Originally Posted by ..

Yeah, I was going to ask: "Is the neck bolted on with the neck plate, or is it just lying in the pocked unsupported?"...
Because that's what it looks like...

These pictures are all with the neck bolted into the body, using a standard size 4 bolt neck plate and #8 x 1&3/4 screws.

There is no gap between the neck and the body, so it looks like it's properly seated, which is why I posted my question. I understand that there have been dimensional variations in Fender parts over the years, but I thought that even so, it wouldn't be this far apart.

[gjbassist]

You have two options, either make the neck pocket deeper or shave some off the back of the neck. Given the age of the neck and the fact it is worth way more than the body I would not touch it! I would make the neck pocket a bit deeper. If you are not comfortable doing that then take it to an experienced luthier/guitar tech.

[SMILEYSIXX]

I had the same thing happen to me. What did I do? Took it off, then decided to try just one more time. Next time I tried, it fit. Not sure what happened, maybe the first time I just messed up somewhere. Take it off and try again, I say, just to rule that out.

[Dinosaur Punk]

Originally Posted by SMILEYSIXX

I had the same thing happen to me. What did I do? Took it off, then decided to try just one more time. Next time I tried, it fit. Not sure what happened, maybe the first time I just messed up somewhere. Take it off and try again, I say, just to rule that out.

And the winner is . . . .SMILEYSIXX

And the idiot is . . . . me

It fits fine, I must have had a gap in the neck somehow.

I panicked

Thanks, SMILEYSIXX, I appreciate the suggestion.



[IMG]http://tomhuguelet.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_0259-1024x764.jpg[/

[charlie monroe]

I wanna hear the Franken Jazz. I put a J neck on a Hwy 1 P bass. You're doing the opposite. Very cool.
What p/u arrangement is that, the Hwy1's?

Bet it plays sweet. 40 yr old rosewood baby!

[Dinosaur Punk]

Yeah, right now it's got stock Highway Ones. I think it has the Greasebucket tone control too.

I plan on doing some upgrades eventually, but I also plan on leaving as is for at least a few months to get to know the bass as it is. I am thinking about either the Badass II bridge or a Wilkinson Roller Bridge that was recommended to me and for which I can't find the link right now.

Electronics-wise (and if money were no object) I would have this re-wired with some custom electronics (all passive still) and maybe some of the Lindy Fralin split-coils.

It doesn't quite play "sweetly" just yet, since I just put the strings on last night and I am waiting to see what kind of setup she needs. (Still too much fret noise as the neck settles) But there is definitely some serious potential here.

I had it hooked up to a tube preamp and headphones last night (it was late by the time I got everything assembled). Tonally it sounds to my ears a lot like a Geddy Lee with an extra side of beef. I like the Geddy Lees and at first thought that's what I would buy, but then this vintage neck fell into my lap.

I've always played somewhat thicker profile necks, and the one thing about the Geddy Lee's I couldn't really take to was the very thin neck (weird I know, but I have big hands). So this somewhat thicker profile vintage neck on the Jazz body is the perfect hybrid for me.

Except for the fret noise, it already plays really easy - not at all like a new bass.