Re-attaching a neck

[KingRazor]

For those of you with experience removing and re-attaching necks on basses:

I read somewhere that someone suggested joining the two without fully tightening the screws, then putting the strings on and tuning to pitch, then tightening the screws.

Is this a good or bad idea?

[FunkMetalBass]

I've never heard of that, and I don't know what good it would do.

I say to attach it as normal, just make sure you get a nice, flush fit between the neck and the neck pocket as you go. Also, progressively tightening all screws at once ensures that pressure on each of the screws and screw holes will be relatively consistent.

[Craig_S]

I tighten the screws just enough to hold the neck, string the bass--but don't tune to pitch, use the strings to align the neck side to side, then tighten the screws. Works like a charm.

[staindbass]

yikes dont do that. if you tighten the strings without the screws fully in , it will strip the threads out of the neck. like craig said, just leave them slightly loose so you can shift the neck side to side a little. tighten the e and g strings just enough to make them perfectly straight, and shift the neck side to side , this will make the space between the strings and the edges of the fretboard change. shift it so its even on each side then tighten fully and tune up.

[KingRazor]

Originally Posted by Craig_S

I tighten the screws just enough to hold the neck, string the bass--but don't tune to pitch, use the strings to align the neck side to side, then tighten the screws. Works like a charm.

That sounds like a good idea, thanks for the suggestion.

[lonote]

Originally Posted by Craig_S

I tighten the screws just enough to hold the neck, string the bass--but don't tune to pitch, use the strings to align the neck side to side, then tighten the screws. Works like a charm.

Yep, that's what I do.

[Pilgrim]

Snug the screws, align the neck, then tighten screws fully. Tune after it's in place and cinched down.