Is it Vital?

[glennc]

Howdy,
Modifying a fender style bass. Do the neck screws have to be threaded through the body holes? I need to move the neck and may have to enlarge the body holes to allow enough movement.
Glennc

[62bass]

Originally Posted by glennc

Howdy,
Modifying a fender style bass. Do the neck screws have to be threaded through the body holes? I need to move the neck and may have to enlarge the body holes to allow enough movement.
Glennc

You can enlarge the holes if you need to to get the neck back in line, but you should make up a shim in the neck pocket to hold the neck from shifting again. I've had to do this on a couple older Fenders with their typical sloppy neck pockets. I'm about to do this on a bass I got recently. It's not out much and I figure a thin slice of veneer should just squeeze in and push the neck back where it should be. Typically you would put it on the E string side and if the neck has moved so that the G string is too close to the edge, the shim would be short and placed near the end of the neck. Is this what the problem is?

[glennc]

Good point about the shim to hold it in place. The problem I'm addressing is that the strings are off center on the pickup Precision bass splits. The E is furthest out decreasing to the G. I know this is not critical but I'd like to get the neck set correctly. I've tried just moving the saddles and allowing the string tension to hold it, to no avail. The strings seem centered on the board and the saddles are fairly centered on the bridge.
Glennc

[62bass]

Typical problem on Fenders. Mine is the same. I don't worry too much about it. I'd rather have the strings on the neck properly, but you might want to compromise a bit. Although my pole pieces don't line up all that well it doesn't seem to hurt the sound.

[glennc]

Got a bit of the tinkerer's bug. Was going to put a Gotoh 201C on the bass. I believe it will fit directly replacing the existing bridge. But I think the bridge is slightly off. I guess I would have to reposition it. Wonder if the saddles will have enough travel to compensate. Maybe I'll just go with a tortoise pickquard . What is your opinion of the above changes? Thanx
Glennc

[62bass]

If the Gotoh is a direct replacement it may be a bit of an upgrade. You might be able to slightly change the position of the bridge to fudge a little and get the strings to line up closer, but you'd probably have to plug the existing holes and redrill, thus negating the direct replacement feature.

I replaced my Fender bridge with a Schaller which has a sideways adjustment for each string and played with that a bit. I can get every string to line up with the polepieces but then the spacing is noticeably off. You can't win.

As the Schaller's mounting holes don't match, I had to plug the existing holes and redrill. Not a big deal since it's easy enough to do and I refinished the bass after anyhow.

There was no real sonic improvement going to a heavier bridge. My opinion is that there is more of a sonic improvement in setting the bass up so you have a sharp downward string angle at the saddles.

The bass sounds very good live and recorded. The biggest improvements made to the sound were from replacing the pickups with Basslines 1/4 pounders and using TI flat strings.

I know I've destroyed the vintage value of the bass, but I buy basses to play, not collect. It sounds better than it did originally and as good as any other vintage bass I've heard, even my original 62 which I bought new.

Since you have a Fender copy, I'd say have fun with it and see how good you can get it. I love tinkering myself and can't leave well enough alone.

[glennc]

Thanks for the comprehensive answer. The neck being square to the bridge was to be my starting point. From there I was going to reposition the bridge if necessary. Removed the neck after trying your suggestion on loosening the screws (unsuccessful). Seems to bind in the lower rounded corners. Haven't figured a way to identify true center of the neck and body yet. Managed to get over a 32nd lower on the strings. Big help in playability. So far so good.
Glennc

[62bass]

You could probably sand off enough wood on the rounded corners to make it work and touch up the finish later if it shows.

You're on the the right track and you'll eventually get it as good as it can be.

[glennc]

I was wondering if I should alter the neck or the pocket. Need to do more praticing and I just put strings on it. May have to wait a bit. Maybe not! The pickups are fine for now as I don't really know what a good sound is like. My experience and technique are limited. How do you feel about the pots, caps and input switch switch? If I get the pickquard I might as well.
So little time and money. Thanx
Glennc

[62bass]

Originally Posted by glennc

I was wondering if I should alter the neck or the pocket. Need to do more praticing and I just put strings on it. May have to wait a bit. Maybe not! The pickups are fine for now as I don't really know what a good sound is like. My experience and technique are limited. How do you feel about the pots, caps and input switch switch? If I get the pickquard I might as well.
So little time and money. Thanx
Glennc

I don't know how much audible improvement you'll get replacing pots and caps. Pickups and strings will make the most noticeable change.

Yes, there comes a time when you should just settle down and play the thing.