Buy a neck or make one?

Poop-Loops · #1 06-19-2007, 10:02 PM

I've been having problems with my Tokai Explorer neck. Yes, it's a guitar.

The D# on the high E has a notch in it. It sucks. I don't use that particular fret often, but it's there, you know?

The action is higher than on my Washburn and Ibanez Artcore and there is still buzzing. Only on the B and G strings, mind you. The B is horrid. Up and down the neck. The G isn't as bad. Relief is alright, but it's adjusted at the heel, which is a total pain.

Yeah yeah, I could just send it to a tech right? Well, I think it would cost a pretty penny anyway, and also, the back of the neck has some hard finish on it, makes it slow to play. Bleah.

The problem is, I'm supposed to be saving up for a higher-end bass (from $1k-2k or so), so I don't exactly want to buy a new neck.

Making one wouldn't be any cheaper, I know. So it's not really about saving money. I just don't know if I should take the plunge and try to make a neck or take the safe route and buy one from Warmoth.

I've had some more exposure to tinkering and stuff since I last wanted to make a neck, so I'd feel more comfortable with tools. Mind you, I doubt I'd get a Warmoth quality neck...

Gah, I don't know. Any advice?

DocBop · #2 06-19-2007, 10:27 PM

I would think refret would be cheaper than all the things you're talking about. They can plane the fretboard when they refret and fix your problem. Unless that notch is more of a chunk out of the neck.

Dragonlord · #3 06-19-2007, 10:38 PM

...and you could also sand the neck and apply some oil finish or something.

Trevorus · #4 06-19-2007, 10:43 PM

Hold on a dang minute...

I have a process of fixing dinged frets that I have used multiple times to fix such things...

PM me if you want me to take a look at it...

Poop-Loops · #5 06-20-2007, 12:41 AM

You're in IL and I'm in WA. Shipping and waiting and all that would be too much of a hassle. =/

The ding is in the fret, not the fretboard. The string fits perfectly, but I have no idea how a string could make a notch that big. I guess I can take it to get refretted, then. Didn't even think of that.

DocBop · #6 06-21-2007, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poop-Loops

You're in IL and I'm in WA. Shipping and waiting and all that would be too much of a hassle. =/

The ding is in the fret, not the fretboard. The string fits perfectly, but I have no idea how a string could make a notch that big. I guess I can take it to get refretted, then. Didn't even think of that.

If it is only in the fret if not too deep a fret dressing would fix it. If deep the ONE fret can be replaced and then dress the frets. Simple and not too expensive.

Trevorus · #7 06-21-2007, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poop-Loops

You're in IL and I'm in WA. Shipping and waiting and all that would be too much of a hassle. =/

The ding is in the fret, not the fretboard. The string fits perfectly, but I have no idea how a string could make a notch that big. I guess I can take it to get refretted, then. Didn't even think of that.

I've fixed dinged frets that caught the string on a bend. I've used the guitar I did it to for about 6 months, with no ill-effects. It's pretty awesome.