Neck issues

etechstan · #1 02-28-2009, 08:24 PM

I put this in luthiers corners but they tried to complicate it. I have a four year old Vinci (lowest of the low ends). Today I noticed the action was a lot higher than before. I put backward pressure on the head and the action corrected itself while the pressure was added. I looked where the neck is bolted to the body and saw a narrow gap, I checked the screws and they were loose. I tightened them but they didn't draw the neck to the body. I think the dry air might have affected the neck wood where the screws attach it to the body. Since I have a new SX coming Tuesday, I can mess with the Vinci, new neck, whatever else would be fun to try. I checked Ebay but didn't see anything interesting, any suggestions?

voodoobassist · #2 02-28-2009, 08:28 PM

Did you try loosening the tension on your strings BEFORE you tightened the screws? If not, that might help,......might allow it to cinch down a bit tighter. Another option, shim the neck where the base of the neck meets the body, IOW, behind the top screws. Worth a shot anyway.

etechstan · #3 02-28-2009, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by voodoobassist

Did you try loosening the tension on your strings BEFORE you tightened the screws? If not, that might help,......might allow it to cinch down a bit tighter. Another option, shim the neck where the base of the neck meets the body, IOW, behind the top screws. Worth a shot anyway.

I never thought to loosen the strings first. Thanks.

JustDavid · #4 03-01-2009, 10:50 AM

The Search function is your friend. Look for Neck Relief, Truss Rod, & Setup.

JustDavid · #5 03-01-2009, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by etechstan

I put this in luthiers corners but they tried to complicate it.

I've read some pretty snarky posts in Luthiers when basic setup questions get posted there & figured this was another case of that. But after reading the thread (Mod transferred it to this Forum), I disagree that they tried to complicate it. Rather the opposite; they asked questions to get more information so they could help, & did offer some good advice.

Look, sometimes some of this stuff IS complicated!!! You have to work with the posters to get communication flowing; we can't tell what you know & don't know, & we have no way of seeing the bass to tell what is going on with it.

dmusic148 · #6 03-01-2009, 11:13 AM

OK, so the neck screw holes are stripped. There is only one good way to fix it, and it's not that hard-drill and dowel the holes(being careful not to drill through the fingerboard!). Let the glue dry, redrill for the screws, assemble. 30 minute job, tops.

etechstan · #7 03-01-2009, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmusic148

OK, so the neck screw holes are stripped. There is only one good way to fix it, and it's not that hard-drill and dowel the holes(being careful not to drill through the fingerboard!). Let the glue dry, redrill for the screws, assemble. 30 minute job, tops.

What about larger diameter screws?

RMay · #8 03-01-2009, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by etechstan

I looked where the neck is bolted to the body and saw a narrow gap, I checked the screws and they were loose. I tightened them but they didn't draw the neck to the body...etc

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmusic148

OK, so the neck screw holes are stripped. There is only one good way to fix it, and it's not that hard-drill and dowel the holes(being careful not to drill through the fingerboard!). Let the glue dry, redrill for the screws, assemble. 30 minute job, tops.

Quote:

Originally Posted by etechstan

What about larger diameter screws?

Whoa, whoa...hold up. There are several important questions that need to be answered first & foremost to drilling.
You mentioned that you tightened the neck screws but they didn't draw the neck to the body. How does that equate to stripped neck screws? Did you loosen the strings and snug down the neck screws or not? When you push down on the headstock does the gap between the neck and body pocket close? Did you purchase this bass from a previous owner? if yes, there may be already be a shim in the pocket. Did you measure the amount of relief in the neck? If you can not answer these questions and/or do not understand the terminology then take your bass to a repairman, a repairman will give you the best input rather than a bunch of us with no pictures to look at and little information to determine the root cause. In addition, a repairman should not charge a fee to determine the problem.