Neck pocket creaks?

all_sixes · #1 03-21-2013, 11:43 PM

Hey all, I just had a small question about my brand new Classic Stingray 5.

I was jamming through "Addicted to that Rush" by Mr. Big, and there is a neck bend at the end of the song. When I went to bend the neck, I hear some nasty-sounding creaks in the pocket. The Stingray seems to have a really solid neck pocket, with 6 bolts anchoring the neck. I also noticed that the truss rod takes some serious pulls to adjust, if that may have anything to do with it.

Are these creaks simply a result of the neck pocket being extremely tight? Or, could it be that there are some unseen problems with the neck?

tabdog · #2 03-22-2013, 12:08 AM

If it's brand new and it bothers you, I'd send it back.
It really doesn't sound serious though,

Tabdog

all_sixes · #3 03-22-2013, 02:17 AM

Well the problem is that I'm not sure if I could send it back. I got it from Guitar Center on clearance, so I am not sure if they would replace it with a new one or not. I will probably ask them, and possibly just take it to local luthier to check it out just in case.

cnltb · #4 03-22-2013, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by all_sixes

Well the problem is that I'm not sure if I could send it back. I got it from Guitar Center on clearance, so I am not sure if they would replace it with a new one or not. I will probably ask them, and possibly just take it to local luthier to check it out just in case.

Have you taken off the neck to have a look if all is well?

96tbird · #5 03-22-2013, 07:07 AM

If the pocket is so tight that you would have to exert force to put the heel in it then yes, it can creak. Just the two parts haven't conformed to each other yet added to the fact that there is still more moisture in the wood than there will be in years to come. Sticky moisture: sap. Just tighten the neck bolts and play on. If it happens a lot, take the neck off and rub a bar paraffin all over the heel as a lubricant between the parts. Carry on.

all_sixes · #6 03-22-2013, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnltb

Have you taken off the neck to have a look if all is well?

No I haven't. Mostly because the idea of taking it off made me feel the slightest bit of discomfort. I'm sure it would be fine though, it is just screws and wood :/

I'll take a look at it and then maybe put some wax in it as suggested. Thanks guys!

cnltb · #7 03-22-2013, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by all_sixes

No I haven't. Mostly because the idea of taking it off made me feel the slightest bit of discomfort. I'm sure it would be fine though, it is just screws and wood :/

I'll take a look at it and then maybe put some wax in it as suggested. Thanks guys!

I too would be uncomfortable, taking off the neck from any of my basses.

202dy · #8 03-22-2013, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnltb

I too would be uncomfortable, taking off the neck from any of my basses.

It's just lumber and removable fasteners.

On the other hand, professional techs everywhere thank you for your reticence.

bass12 · #9 03-22-2013, 12:09 PM

It could be that the pocket or the neck is not totally flat/even and might need a tiny bit of sanding (this was the case with one of my basses. I'd take it to a luthier and I would also stay away from bending the neck.

JLS · #10 03-22-2013, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 202dy

It's just lumber and removable fasteners.

On the other hand, professional techs everywhere thank you for your reticence.

96tbird · #11 03-22-2013, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bass12

It could be that the pocket or the neck is not totally flat/even and might need a tiny bit of sanding (this was the case with one of my basses. I'd take it to a luthier and I would also stay away from bending the neck.

JLS or 202 will be glad to help. Cha Ching.

Turnaround · #12 03-22-2013, 07:13 PM

If it were my bass, I'd be a bit concerned. If the neck screws are tight there will be no movement of the neck to body joint. Sometimes truss rods creak when adjusted and maybe it's that same creak you are hearing. But maybe not. I would want to know exactly what is causing it.

On the other hand, I don't think it is anything serious. My guess is that it will eventually go away. So unless you are OCD, ignore it (even though I couldn't). If you can't ignore it, best see a specialist to be sure. No "Ca-Ching" about it- a decent technician will give you an opinion about its seriousness at no charge. The fix might cost a chunk if you believe the diagnosis. So my advice is to get the diagnosis and if the cost to fix seems a bit pricey, ask for opinions on the cost here before proceeding.

JLS · #13 03-23-2013, 01:49 PM

Quote:

I also noticed that the truss rod takes some serious pulls to adjust

This is a concern.

all_sixes · #14 04-22-2013, 11:18 PM

Welp, I ended up sending the bass to San Luis Obispo for an inspection and it turns out that the creaking was caused by the truss rod. I suppose that would explain why it was so hard to adjust, as well.

Regardless, they told me that they were going to be building a brand new neck for it, and it will take up to 30 days!

walterw · #15 04-23-2013, 08:01 PM

if it hadn't been a truss rod issue (pretty unusual), here's the fix for a loose neck-body joint:

first, make sure the screws slip through the body and only thread into the neck! this is critical, and something way too many factories get wrong, especially on lower-end stuff. if the screws are threading into the body too, then they'll stop against the body before they get full force on the neck, and it'll be loose no matter how hard you try to tighten them.

remove one neck screw (won't hurt anything) and push it back in; check that it slides through the body and only stops when it hits the neck. if it stops in the body, you need to go ahead and take the bass apart and drill out the body holes. (yeah i know, but it has to be done

)

once that is sorted, and you're tuned up, here's the other step: loosen all the neck screws a quarter turn! you might even hear a creak when the last screw is loosened.

this will allow the string tension to pull the butt-end of the neck down hard against the body, eliminating any micro gap and improving the wood-to-wood connection.

push and pull the neck so that the outside strings are lined up with the edges, then re-tighten the neck screws.

when you're done you might find the bass sounds a little more "solid", with better sustain. it should also hopefully no longer creak from the neck sliding around.

all_sixes · #16 04-24-2013, 12:20 PM

Hey thanks for the tip! I'll keep that in mind next time I have a loose neck joint.

BillyCrashed · #17 05-01-2013, 12:21 PM

walterw...Thanks for that info. I got a DIY bass as a gift and noticed that the bolts thread through the body. just one of the (little problems) you get with a cheap DIY kit from Ebay. there are more, oh yes, there are more.