Knot or Birdseye pattern in neck?
 

Recently acquired an Sx Jazz bass, and the neck has a spot on the third fret. Overall the bass is great, but I can't tell if it is knot in the maple or if it's something else. Any ideas? Thanks for your input!

Yes it's a knot. Nothing to worry about.

It gives it character, but I don't want to hold on to it if down the line it'll cause neck issues...

Also, on the last fret.. there's a small circular spot, that looks like it was plugged, glued and finished(pressed?). Is that possible? I might have to take another photo, to get a better look.

OCD much?! That is not going to cause any 'neck issues' down the line!

Birdseye maple is fairly popular for necks, and isn't really known for neck issues down the line. You're probably safe with one.

Are you referring to the knot on the third fret, thats the picture of the first post? or the spot I'm wondering about in the 3rd post?

Thanks for your insight..

wood has grain pattern and sometimes has little birds eyes, knots or whatever. its part of it's character. enjoy it, its wood.

They're probably both just figures in the wood. If SX is using properly-dried wood, the neck will last forever. If they're not, it won't last, and figure or grain probably won't make a difference.

That black circle doesn't look good, but the thing it is circling is not worth thinking about.

My SX has some nice Birdseye figuring in the neck. Nothing like you'd find in a boutique bass but a nice suprise. The body, however has a figure that is definitely a knot. SX are good player basses but you have to remember that you get what you pay for.

Rick B.

Figured woods are graded by the evenness and amount of specific figuring in the wood, i.e.: "Curls-per-inch" if it's Curly Maple. Lots of wood pieces have multiple figures (some Birds-eye, some curl and maybe a knot or two) but are not reserved for "exotic" guitars unless the figuring is especially unique or attractive. That is a Knot on your 3rd fret and it's nothing to worry about. It may not even be in the neck if your fretboard is a separate piece of Maple. The small spot on the last fret could be a plug or it could be Spalting, another type of figuring caused by mineral deposits in the wood. Don't worry... BE HAPPY!

Thanks! For all your insight!

oh yeah.. I actually noticed yesterday that the neck and fretboard are separate. Never ever thought about that..

Yep, all said above. The neck is not Birds-eye maple, you just have a knot and a lil thing there ---no schweat! Enjoy the bass!

The little one was probably the root of a twig at that part of the tree.

I received a Rick 4003 (a $1500+ bass) that had a fingerboard knot worse than that! I ended up sending the bass back because it had a warped neck (nothing to do with the knot though, I promise!)