Neck Pocket Levelling

[Compressed]

Hi all,
I've got an old fixer-upper P bass at home, generally in ok condition, problem is the neck pocket is not level.
At the bottom of the pocket, it is 2mm deeper than at the top.
I was considering making up a jig and levelling the pocket that way, but didn't want to make the entire pocket too deep and have to use shim plates.
Any other suggestions?

Cheers,
Pete

[Magneto]

Is the neck alignment out of whack with the neck pocket being unlevel? Was there some sort of shim in there to compensate for this problem. I've seen some shoddy carved neck pockets before, but usually the builder compensates for it by shimming the neck in the pocket.
If I were deadset on getting the pocket level and even, I'd probably go ahead and remove the highspots to get it even, then use some sort of shim or shim plate to raise the entire neck. You could use a thin wood shim if needed.
I would probably use a very small, flat (and sharp) wood chisel to do the rough work, as you can control these tools fairly even, and power tools (even routers) can cause even a small slip-up to turn into a major one.
I'd then hand sand the pocket to get it smoother.
Just some ideas.. don't know if they'll work for you.

Mag...

[Compressed]

Well the, uhum, factory shim to correct the problem was a half painted chunk of wood from possibly another bass on the production line. Possibly a little less well thought out than I would have expected from an American made Fender P, but, meh!
I was actually taking it all apart for a good cleaning (been in someone's cellar for 18years til I got hold of it) and to check all serial numbers were ok.
The neck is very unplayable with the chunk-o-wood shim out, and impossible to set up, so I am going to shave it down ever so tenderly and get it spot on.

[georgestrings]

I don't know - I thnk that if I were in your shoes, rather than take wood off, I'd build the "dip" back up with some sort of epoxy or polyurothane - then level everything back off...



- georgestrings

[JimmyM]

Georgestrings is absolutely right. Don't shave the neck down. Shim the pocket again. There is nothing at all wrong with shimming a neck pocket. It's done all the time and doesn't make the least bit of difference in the tone.

[Foamy]

Originally Posted by georgestrings

I don't know - I thnk that if I were in your shoes, rather than take wood off, I'd build the "dip" back up with some sort of epoxy or polyurothane - then level everything back off...



- georgestrings

Yeah, I was thinking Bondo or some other solid, yet workable filler. Or...depending on the job, you could glue in a shim of some sort, and route it all back down to proper depth.

[202dy]

Originally Posted by Compressed

The neck is very unplayable with the chunk-o-wood shim out, and impossible to set up, so I am going to shave it down ever so tenderly and get it spot on.

Did the bass play well before the shim was removed? What is the reasoning behind your desire to shave the neck pocket? Generally speaking, if the pocket is shaved it will require a thicker shim to bring the geometry into alignment. It would seem that replacing the shim may be the right thing to do.

Respectfully

[Relic]

I would shim it as well. Shaving the pocket down would be cleaner, but it's going to more than likely end up with you shimming anyway to bring the neck into the proper level with the body & bridge.
This is an MIA BTW? Wow, would not have expected that! What year?

[62bass]

Originally Posted by Compressed

Hi all,
I've got an old fixer-upper P bass at home, generally in ok condition, problem is the neck pocket is not level.
At the bottom of the pocket, it is 2mm deeper than at the top.
I was considering making up a jig and levelling the pocket that way, but didn't want to make the entire pocket too deep and have to use shim plates.
Any other suggestions?

Cheers,
Pete

I'd shim it myself. It's not uncommon to see this in Fender instruments. I have used an epoxy/sawdust mixture to build up a neck pocket and it worked, but it's a lot of work, doesn't improve the sound to any noticeable degree over a wooden shim and it can destroy the resale value if there is any in your bass.

[georgestrings]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Georgestrings is absolutely right. Don't shave the neck down. Shim the pocket again. There is nothing at all wrong with shimming a neck pocket. It's done all the time and doesn't make the least bit of difference in the tone.

My impression of the OP is that the low spot is in the neck pocket itself, after some sort of a shim was removed... For all we know, it *might* not have even come from the factory like that, and is a result of some "luthier" attempting to level the neck, then having to install some sort of makeshift shim to correct the damage... If it were my bass, I'd fill in the low spot with epoxy, then block sand it back down to being level - THEN shim the whole pocket, if necessary(although from the description, it shouldn't be)... I always say, don't take off wood if it isn't ABSOLUTLEY necessary - and in this case, it doesn't sound like a necessity...

I'm certainly no expert, but that's how I'd approach this situation...



- georgestrings

[202dy]

Just returned from the orthodontist. They took some x-rays of my child's mouth and teeth. Afterward we (the orthodontist, my son, and I) reviewed the film as he explained the plan and options based on the possible positions of the teeth as they are replaced by permanent teeth. One of the things that he told me struck me as odd and he explained it to me. The crux of that plan was that if things developed in this particular way the remedy he proposed would be the least invasive.

Whew! A lot of bull to say: Never do anything to an instrument (or other workpiece) that may be irreversable or may cause so much work in the future that it may be impossibe to reverse without a trace. A good repairman endeavors to never leave a trace of their having been there. Shaving a neck pocket or filling a dent from an ill-chosen shim definitely falls into the category of difficult if not impossible to reverse. Simply reshimming the neck is the least invasive action and is in keeping with normal repair strategies and tactics. Anything else is a remedy that should be reserved for an instrument that cannot repaired in any other way.

At this point no one knows what will be considered a "vintage", and therefore valuable, instrument in the future. Any unneccesary repair methods should be avoided so as to not have a negative impact on future value. This includes instruments that are manufactured outside of the U.S.

BTW, the orthodontist also told us that less invasive also means less expensive.

[Compressed]

Haha, cheers guys.
Well after careful deliberation and finding out the bass is a 63 MIA Fender P, I have indeed chosen not to hack into the wood and will go along with the least invasive option. Will probably end up spending a lot of time making up a proper shim to accomodate for the level difference rather than filling with epoxy and taking it away from original.
Never thought I'd be a Fender owner, but for a barely used P bass, I couldnt say no at $200 Australian!

[JimmyM]

Another good bass saved! Our work is done here, gentlemen.

[georgestrings]

Cool - and a fantastic score, Compressed - congratulations!!!



- georgestrings