Gap between fretboard and body?

Adam C. · #1 04-09-2007, 04:21 PM

Hi, I have a question about my bass... there is a small gap around 1/8th of an inch in between the body and fretboard. My sustain is not that great and I'm thinking that this is a part of the problem. Is there any easy way to fix this or am I better off buying a new neck (or even bass

)?

Here's a pic:

(Ibanez GSR200FM)

christobass 416 · #2 04-09-2007, 04:30 PM

Well, I'm no expert, but if that is the problem, you could just sand down the neck pocket a little bit.

scottyd · #3 04-09-2007, 04:31 PM

Dont sweat it several basses are built that way. I really dont think thats hurting your sustain. Id look elsewhere to solve that maybe strings, electronics, ect. And if thats a Dean......

Stox · #4 04-09-2007, 05:10 PM

There is absolutely nothing wrong, many basses are built like this and its done to give you an extra fret. It will not affect sustain.

202dy · #5 04-09-2007, 05:15 PM

The bottom of the neck appears to be tight in the pocket. The portion that overhangs the body is called a fingerboard extension. Handy to have.

PilbaraBass · #6 04-09-2007, 07:39 PM

that's not a problem...
that's just the fingerboard extension

the underside of heel of the neck that bolts INTO the neck cavity...THAT is what needs to be tight...

even a small gap on the sides of the neck cavity is not a problem...

ibnzneksrul · #7 04-09-2007, 07:43 PM

I have a gsr200 and sustain is not a problem. You might check your nut bolts to make sure they are nice and snug.

Adam C. · #8 04-09-2007, 10:13 PM

Thanks for the posts! I'm glad to know that it isn't something that needs repairing...

I haven't put new strings on since getting the bass a year ago... I'll have to get some and possibly upgrade the pickups to see if that helps out with sustain.

ibnzneksrul · #9 04-09-2007, 10:31 PM

Oh jeeez, I meant neck bolts, not nut bolts.

Must be a Monday.

scottyd · #10 04-10-2007, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam C.

Thanks for the posts! I'm glad to know that it isn't something that needs repairing...

I haven't put new strings on since getting the bass a year ago... I'll have to get some and possibly upgrade the pickups to see if that helps out with sustain.

WOw you may have got good use out of that set!

JeffTheBig · #11 04-10-2007, 07:41 PM

it looks prity normal. like scootyd said .... a lot of basses are bilt that way

pin_head_47 · #12 04-10-2007, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam C.

I haven't put new strings on since getting the bass a year ago... I'll have to get some and possibly upgrade the pickups to see if that helps out with sustain.

I'm guessing that would be your problem there. A set of strings that old will have a biiiiiiiig impact on your sustain, cause once they get that old and dirty, they just won't ring true anymore. And from personal experience, the factory strings on a lower-end Ibanez aren't worth keeping anyways.

The pickups are fun to upgrade, but keep in mind that these will have nothing to do with your sustain; it's more about the vibrations in the neck and body, NOT the electronics.

PilbaraBass · #13 04-10-2007, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pin_head_47

I'm guessing that would be your problem there. A set of strings that old will have a biiiiiiiig impact on your sustain, cause once they get that old and dirty, they just won't ring true anymore. And from personal experience, the factory strings on a lower-end Ibanez aren't worth keeping anyways.

The pickups are fun to upgrade, but keep in mind that these will have nothing to do with your sustain; it's more about the vibrations in the neck and body, NOT the electronics.

+4 (one for each string)

they don't call dead strings "dead" for nothing...
first you lose that top-end fidelity...then the sound turns to mud...finally it goes to "thud"...

get a decent set of strings and you'll be back in business in no time.