putting original neck back on

ka0ttic · #1 12-22-2008, 02:47 PM

I bought a pre-owned fretless sx (essex) a while back from a fellow tb'er that came with the original fretted neck. After having it a while, I'm thinking maybe fretless isn't for me and am wanting to put the original neck back on it.

Is it just as easy as taking the strings off, swapping the neck, and then putting the strings back on? I'm sure i'll have to get a setup done on it as well... I've never done any work on my basses other than install strap locks and change strings, so I want to make sure I know what I'm getting into before I do it.

Thanks

Oren Hudson · #2 12-22-2008, 04:12 PM

Unless there were mods done when it was switched to the fretless, it should fit right back in and bolt on. Like you said, it will more than likely need adjustments/set-up once installed.

stflbn · #3 12-22-2008, 04:16 PM

Just make sure you loosen the strings prior to unscrewing the neck.

I know... seems obvious, but every year there's always someone who posts "I was changing my neck and heard a loud CRACK and now my string height is way to high". Someone asks if they loosened the strings and the OP never responds back.

:-/

.

ka0ttic · #4 12-22-2008, 08:20 PM

thanks guys. I'm pretty sure no mods were done as it looks like the same size and type neck and the screw locations look the same.

As for loosening the strings, I'll be taking em off altogether anyways. have to swap the tuners over, etc. Just waiting for my dimarzio p/j's (present to myself this year

) to get here and I'll put those in the same time I do the neck. Have to figure out how to do that as well

bassmanrocke · #5 12-23-2008, 08:32 PM

Hey, I live in Altamonte Springs. When you get all the parts together if you want some help assembling sent me a PM. I can probably free up a Saturday or Sunday afternoon and a space on my workbench if you want some guidance and don't mind the drive.

ka0ttic · #6 12-23-2008, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassmanrocke

Hey, I live in Altamonte Springs. When you get all the parts together if you want some help assembling sent me a PM. I can probably free up a Saturday or Sunday afternoon and a space on my workbench if you want some guidance and don't mind the drive.

Very cool of you. I might take you up on the offer. I'm actually in Ormond Beach but that's still only a 45 min drive iirc.

ka0ttic · #7 12-26-2008, 03:59 PM

Not suprisingly, I just couldn't wait to put everything together

The new pickups seem to work fine, and I got the tuners/neck swapped over. As I thought, it does need a setup. The strings touch frets 3-9 . I'm assuming the action was considerably lower because of the fretless neck. In the past I've just taken a bass to the local shop here for a setup but I guess I need to learn soon or later... Found a few links in the sticky on this forum, so that's my project for the weekend.