missing one neck screw

[Bayonet]

hey i recently bought a bass(ibanez sr500) used and its in pretty damn good condition except for this,its missing one of the neck screws.is this a problem? can it wait to be repaired?

[frankieC]

Yes and yes.
It can be a problem if the bass is subject to a lot of temperature and humidity changes. Wood, being what it is, reacts to temperature and humidity, pretty quickly.
Getting a replacement screw shouldn't be that tough, just remember to match the finish, head, diameter, length, and thread pitch to the remaining screws.

[Bayonet]

Hmm thanks man,i'm going to get it to the repair shop when they call to tell me about my fretless,should be in less than a week i guess. meanwhile should i just keep it outside of my room that has an air conditioner?
also,what could happen because of the missing screw?

[mongo2]

I've been playing a bass that's missing a neck screw for about 15 years. So far so good.

There are many basses that only ever had 3 neck screws.

[frankieC]

Originally Posted by mongo2

I've been playing a bass that's missing a neck screw for about 15 years. So far so good.

There are many basses that only ever had 3 neck screws.

Very true, but they are usually set up in a triangular pattern as to allow even pressure or torque. This allows the neck to be seated evenly in the saddle.

There are also bolt on basses that have 6 screws, lol.

[frankieC]

Originally Posted by Bayonet

Hmm thanks man,i'm going to get it to the repair shop when they call to tell me about my fretless,should be in less than a week i guess. meanwhile should i just keep it outside of my room that has an air conditioner?

Actually, I would keep it in the a/c. Remember a/c not only cools the air, it also reduces humidity.

also,what could happen because of the missing screw?

The neck could experience uneven pressure in the body saddle, and/or, as Mongo 2 mentioned in his post, he's experienced no issues. The other side of the coin is that he neck could start to move unevenly. Guitar necks do move with climate changes.

[Bayonet]

Hmm i think i understand,well i live in recife(notheast of brazil) and here its pretty humid all year and pretty hot,but i don't use the ac all day long,i use it about 12-14 hours a day.do you think this change is enough to mess my bass?
also,would it make a difference if i keep it in the gig bag whenever i'm not using it?

[frankieC]

Originally Posted by Bayonet

Hmm i think i understand,well i live in recife(notheast of brazil) and here its pretty humid all year and pretty hot,but i don't use the ac all day long,i use it about 12-14 hours a day.do you think this change is enough to mess my bass?

No, but over a long time you might see a or feel a difference.

Originally Posted by Bayonet

also,would it make a difference if i keep it in the gig bag whenever i'm not using it?

It might help, a little, but Personally, I would keep it in the gig bag when not in use, anyway. Less of a chance of "accident".

I do recommend you get the screw replaced. Especially in the high humidity of your area. You should be able to get the screw from a good hardware. Be careful, and make sure you bring one of the existing screws with you. getting the right size, head, and length is important.

You can also try various music stores that service electric bases. You might even be able to get some help, and possibly even a set of screws from Ibanez.

I've even seen neck screws sold on eBay. lol

[mongo2]

Originally Posted by frankieC

Very true, but they are usually set up in a triangular pattern as to allow even pressure or torque. This allows the neck to be seated evenly in the saddle.

There's no uneveness in the seating of my 3 screw.

[georgestrings]

Originally Posted by mongo2

I've been playing a bass that's missing a neck screw for about 15 years. So far so good.

Doesn't sound like anything a decent "tech" would do to me - I'm just sayin'...

I would get a replacement neck screw ASAP, if I were you, OP - the manufacturer used all of them for a reason...


- georgestrings

[mongo2]

Originally Posted by georgestrings

Doesn't sound like anything a decent "tech" would do to me - I'm just sayin'...

LOL, I was wondering if you'd make one of your usual snarky comments. You're predictable, I'll give you that.

Since I know you're just dying to know...I got the bass that way and I'm still waiting for the right vintage neck screw to cross my path. In the meantime it's not hurting anything.

However, you haven't asked me the right question yet.

[mech]

Originally Posted by Bayonet

hey i recently bought a bass(ibanez sr500) used and its in pretty damn good condition except for this,its missing one of the neck screws.is this a problem? can it wait to be repaired?

Shouldn't be a prob short term. I would make sure that the neck end of the pocket has two screws. That's where the majority of the string pressure is applied in trying to pull the neck up.

mech

[mongo2]

Originally Posted by mech

Shouldn't be a prob short term. I would make sure that the neck end of the pocket has two screws. That's where the majority of the string pressure is applied in trying to pull the neck up.

Exactly.

[frankieC]

Originally Posted by mongo2

There's no uneveness in the seating of my 3 screw.

Cool.

[Bayonet]

Originally Posted by mech

Shouldn't be a prob short term. I would make sure that the neck end of the pocket has two screws. That's where the majority of the string pressure is applied in trying to pull the neck up.

mech

i don't understand what you mean i guess its because i'm not a native speaker

my bass looks like this:
Headstock
Neck
* *
O *
Rest of the bass


O Missing screw
* Screws


lol,i hope you understand what i mean,i'm terrible at this!

[georgestrings]

Originally Posted by mongo2

LOL, I was wondering if you'd make one of your usual snarky comments. You're predictable, I'll give you that.

Since I know you're just dying to know...I got the bass that way and I'm still waiting for the right vintage neck screw to cross my path. In the meantime it's not hurting anything.

However, you haven't asked me the right question yet.

I know what you're getting at, but a better question is how could someone who considers themselves a competant and knowledgeable tech play a bass for 15 years without installing a suitable substitute while waiting for a "vintage" screw???

- georgestrings

[darius8]

Originally Posted by georgestrings

What he means is, *if* you had to have a screw missing, you would want it to be in one of the holes closest to the headstock, and not closest to the bridge - since the pulling force of the strings will make the heel of the neck want to lift...

More plainly - the empty hole you illustrated is exactly the opposite of what you want in your particular situation...


- georgestrings

I disagree, if I had a missing screw I'd want it nearest to the bridge and keep two screws nearer towards the headstock.

[mech]

Originally Posted by Bayonet

i don't understand what you mean i guess its because i'm not a native speaker

my bass looks like this:
Headstock
Neck
* *
O *
Rest of the bass


O Missing screw
* Screws


lol,i hope you understand what i mean,i'm terrible at this!

Perfect! Great picture. The heel of the neck is pressed down into the neck pocket by the pressure of the strings pulling up at the peghead.

mech

[darius8]

Originally Posted by Bayonet

my bass looks like this:
Headstock
Neck
* *
O *
Rest of the bass


O Missing screw
* Screws

I would keep it this way until you get a proper screw.

[curbowkid]

For a 4 string bass I wouldn't worry too much. But anything with 5+ I'd be concerned. There's plenty of 4 string basses with only 3 neck joint screws by design.