Is my neck screwed?

[Dennis098]

Ok folks, I have a 2008 Fender Jazz, but lately i had been noticing that it didn't feel as great in the hands anymore. I took it to my local shop to have it set up and the repairman told me that the lower 2 strings' side of the neck was backbowed while the D and G side of the neck was straight, but that it was not warped.
what does that mean?

[elBandito]

You have what some people call a 'good twist', considering there is more relief on the bass side of the neck. Some will say there is no such thing as good twist, and a warped neck is just warped.

[professor_bills]

sounds like a bad twist to me

[Rick Auricchio]

Actually, there is less relief on the bass side, since it's backbowed.

[kyral210]

Hmmm, as its a Fender, turn it over and look where the neck joins the body. If you see 4 metal disk like things on a square piece of metal, im pretty sure the neck is screwed (on).

HAHAHAHA



Sorry, I couldn't resist! This could be worse being just the neck, just a shame its so recent. I would say see how it plays once you get a tech to do a full setup. If its unplayable either ebay the bass, or as I would rather do, buy a new neck from Fender and sell your old warped neck on ebay. Its a little underhand, but it is a good solution.

[Rick Auricchio]

If you plan to sell the bass or the neck, please disclose its condition. Don't try to pass it off as good-condition if it has a known flaw. Be honest.

[elBandito]

oh.. sorry read it wrong

Originally Posted by Rick Auricchio

Actually, there is less relief on the bass side, since it's backbowed.

Is such defect covered under warranty?

[cynical1]

Originally Posted by elBandito

Is such defect covered under warranty?

If it's a 2008 bass I would plead a strong case for a warranty replacement. Not sure how far it will go, but unless they can prove negligence on your part then I would say it's worth a shot.

Was it a Fender Authorized dealer who pegged the problem with the neck?

Happy Trails

Cynical One

[jschwalls]

I have "fixed" many necks with this problem... it takes a few weeks of controlled adjustments to do so..

it will never be 100% but it can be damn close..

I hang the bass in my room for a few days... I then adjust the neck so there is no relief at all... and check to make sure it stays that way for about a few more days... then I will start to do the set-up... and over the next few days slowly add the correct amount of relief... my results are usually enough to satisfy the customer, who is just thankful that they don't have to replace their bass...

I have also ran across ALOT of local repair shops that will tell customers all kinds of horror stories to charge them more money than was needed...

Most people just want a good set-up, I charge minimal money to do set-ups and repairs... and all my basic set-ups to the more complex always come with a full cleaning of the bass and neck... When the customers get their basses/guitars back they are very pleased to see that the 15 years of crap built up on the fingerboard is now gone... haaha

I juat finished a bass for a guy who can't afford a new one... it was in horrible shape, but it looks almost new now... it's amazing how protective 1/4" of dust can be .. hahaha

Building a good reputation is hard and important..

[Toneman]

I have two 08 fenders a jazz and P both are almost maxed out on the truss rod adjustment to get a good set up. I like the neck as straight as possible with just a little relief to avoid buzzing. Is this a concern down the road or will the neck stabilize on it 's own and not need future tweeking. They play fine but almost no room left if I ever have to tighten the rod. I hate the bi-flex truss rod .

[elBandito]

My 08 mia jazz was the same. The truss rod had to be tightened pretty far(it was stiff and didnt want to push it further). I only had one washer around that was big enough to fit, and that gave me a bit more wiggle room. I went back to guitar center and pretty much all of them on the wall had the truss rod tightened(pick guard opening were all scratched). I read that having the truss rod maxed out affects the tone? How so?

[jeff62]

Originally Posted by elBandito

I read that having the truss rod maxed out affects the tone? How so?

I can't imagine how it would be possible for the truss rod to affect your tone. The truss rod is there to get the proper relief in the neck for your set-up. Tone seems to be more of a what {strings, pick-ups, wood} are you using discussion.

I think it would be a hard sell to convince otherwise, and it would be one of those theoretical, "I'm right"... "No, I'm right!" discussions that crop up so frequently.

[Sub5ound]

Well, loosen your truss rod just over a quater turn, let it sit a few days, pick it up and then tell me truss rod tension does not affect tone. It has a direct affect on tone because the way your fingers move up and down the fretboard wil change. Your hands have just as much effect on tone, maybe more so, than anything else. This is why guys like Jeff Beck play guitars right out of a local music store on alot of gigs...because they can.

not to mention pickup height.

[Toneman]

the only way I can see it possibly effecting tone is that the when the rod is loose you have more relief thereby having the strings further from the fretboard on the majority of the neck possibly allowing the strings to move/vibrate more freely. Just a stab here. I dunno.
That said my rods on both my 08s are very tight and I don't hear any difference in tone, they sound killer imo. If Fender would come up with a better rod design I would never look elsewhere but as it is I'm thinking about a Lakland Bob Glaub P/J to replace my jazz and P. Just thinking at this stage because I have grown attached to my fenders.
Maybe the guy who came up with the bi-flex rod also came up with new coke.