New neck too small for pocket

fretlessman71 · #1 06-05-2008, 01:54 PM

Got a neck on eBay (yeah, I know...) for a P-bass copy I have. However, I had to plug the original screw holes so I can redrill to get a good snug fit. Now I've noticed that the bass neck wiggles a LOT in the neck pocket. I'd like to find a way to fill in that void properly, but adhere the extra material to the neck so that I can swap necks again later and not do any damage/alterations to the body. Anyone understand what I'm talking about and what to do about it? I mean, besides just getting another neck?

randbguy · #2 06-05-2008, 02:05 PM

I have a neck such as you describe that I am extreemly happy with, great tone. Anyway, what I did was plug and redrill the holes for the screws, being carefull not to drill any deeper than I needed. I then cut out a piece of that fine mesh sand paper they use for drywall, it looks like screen. I used 100 grit. The neat thing about that sandpaper is, it grabs on both sides. I made it to fit the neck pocket perfectly. The snugg up all the screws and it doesn't budge.

fretlessman71 · #3 06-05-2008, 02:17 PM

Interesting. I'm liking the way you think.

Two questions:

1) Aren't you concerned with the gap between the neck and body on the outside part, where the screws aren't? Wouldn't filling that area somehow create a better "energy transfer" seal?

2) How were you sure where to drill the holes? Is it just a matter of measuring a neck that fits right and using that as a reference, or is there a better way to do it?

randbguy · #4 06-06-2008, 11:57 AM

Humm yeah, getting the allignment right was challenging. You'll have to get creative there! I ended up putting the bass on a scrap sheet of plywood with a hole cut areond the neck pocket area. I have some 12" wood clamps that I could slip under the body and lightly clamped the neck and body in place using 2, 1"x3" pieces of wood to protect the body and finish. I put the two outside strings on and made sure I had the same space on both sides of the neck. I had to shim the neck in the pocket with a folded business card on each side I tightened the clamps, after confirming the setup and angles were where I wanted them. I then took a bunch of small blocks of wood I had made up and screwed them into the plywood at the body waste, at the nut on both sides of the neck and the tip of the headstock and the bottom of the body. I had it so the blocks held the bass firmly in place and would not move, but I could slip it out of there by lifting it. That gave me the set up I needed. I then could drill the pilot holes and the allignment was right. I could always slip it back in the jigg to check my progress. Don't drill anything unless you know its right. That's how I did it, at least it worked.

vikingur · #5 06-06-2008, 12:02 PM

could you use memory foam? or would that detract from the sound?

fretlessman71 · #6 06-06-2008, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vikingur

could you use memory foam? or would that detract from the sound?

It probably wouldn't be enough mass to make a difference, that's for sure... and it might be annoying to deal with, since I want to be able to change necks on this bass (one maple, one rosewood).

Mon Rominee · #7 06-06-2008, 12:30 PM

strips of business cards taped to the sides of the neck, dependent on the actual gap you're experiencing.

Or, nothing.

"energy transfer" is a myth. If the neck is secured to the body with two FLAT mating surfaces, and anchored properly, it's all the contact you need.

Mon

CrashClint · #8 06-06-2008, 01:13 PM

Wow, I have a P body that the pocket is too small for a standard Fender Neck I bought about 5 years ago on ebay. I wonder if that is my basses long lost neck?

fretlessman71 · #9 06-06-2008, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrashClint

Wow, I have a P body that the pocket is too small for a standard Fender Neck I bought about 5 years ago on ebay. I wonder if that is my basses long lost neck?

If the dimensions match up, I wouldn't be opposed to a trade! Drop me a PM!

62bass · #10 06-06-2008, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randbguy

Humm yeah, getting the allignment right was challenging. You'll have to get creative there! I ended up putting the bass on a scrap sheet of plywood with a hole cut areond the neck pocket area. I have some 12" wood clamps that I could slip under the body and lightly clamped the neck and body in place using 2, 1"x3" pieces of wood to protect the body and finish. I put the two outside strings on and made sure I had the same space on both sides of the neck. I had to shim the neck in the pocket with a folded business card on each side I tightened the clamps, after confirming the setup and angles were where I wanted them. I then took a bunch of small blocks of wood I had made up and screwed them into the plywood at the body waste, at the nut on both sides of the neck and the tip of the headstock and the bottom of the body. I had it so the blocks held the bass firmly in place and would not move, but I could slip it out of there by lifting it. That gave me the set up I needed. I then could drill the pilot holes and the allignment was right. I could always slip it back in the jigg to check my progress. Don't drill anything unless you know its right. That's how I did it, at least it worked.

I'm glad it worked, but you did it the hard way. You can hold the neck tightly in place with a large enough C clamp, string up the E and G strings, tighten the strings just enough to straighten them and then view the alignment of the strings on the neck. You then tap the headstock to one side or another until the strings are aligned properly, then drill the holes. Obviously you should plug the old holes with a glued in dowel first.

That's always worked for me. I don't use a C clamp anymore since I got one of those handy Quik Clamps.

You can shim the sides of the neck with thin wood veneer if you want. As mentioned by Mon Rominee, it won't make a noticeable difference. But it can hold the neck from shifting.