Neck Shave

[4 Strings]

Hi
I'm after some advice before I commit to something irreversible.

I have been playing Stingrays for quite a while and I have just acquired a nice trans red HH from 2007. This is the most recently made Stingray I have owned.

The neck is quite chubby (front to back) compared to what I've been used to. I know a first class luthier (Ruach Basses) who has offered to shave the neck down to a slimmer profile, based on a Pre-EB neck.

I'm assuming the truss rod and its cavity are just under the fingerboard and so if 5-6mm was shaved from the back would this be safe?

Many thanks for reading, any help greatly appreciated

[3234718]

You'll have better luck in the setup forum: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f18/
There's some really knowledgeable people there.

[chadds]

I use trimmers and razor. That edge isn't always as becoming and can be considered "pretty boy" to the babes looking for a rugged type.

Wait!! What are we talking about here?

[Neek]

Is the neck a bolt-on? I would find out the price of purchasing a new neck you are comfortable with, and compare that with the price the luthier will charge for his services. It seems to be the simpler solution; low risk, guaranteed results, and possibly less expensive.

[joeyl]

might be hard to find a replacement neck for Stingrays

[john nam]

I've shaved 2 necks with a power sander and restained them and refinished them with tung oil with great results. it wasn't a minor reshaping, i actually took about 1/8" off to make it noticeably thinner. no warping or truss rod adjustments since; solid as a rock. the only issue is that when you restain it, you get a slightly darker spot where the sanded newly stained part meets the original finish on the back of the neck.

[Gougedeye]

Replacement necks are out there, just got to seach.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Musicman-Mus...4#ht_950wt_917
http://mosesgraphite.com/productpage...usic-man-gl-4/
http://www.status-graphite.com/statu...ndex_home.html

I think a good luthier could probably slim up your neck with no problems.

[4 Strings]

Hi, thanks all, especially the guy who has already had a shave.

Its a typical MM neck with no finish so will simply be re-oiled with gunstock wax when finished.

An 1/8" would be fine, a little more would be even better..

The luthier will no doubt take his sander to it, he's doing it as a bit of a favour and his own basses are works of art do I trust him.

I'm more worried about meeting the truss rod cavity and/or losing the stiffness.

[StevieMac]

The original owner of my Spector had the neck professional shaved down and it’s great. No issues.

[Immigrant]

One gentleman here had his neck X-Rayed prior to trying that. Yes, his bass neck.

Maybe you can find an unethical radiology tech that will do it for you and prevent ruining your neck. That's what I'd do anyway. Try a bribe if necessary.

[Grissle]

I've had to shave two necks down myself and it was relatively simple. No problem as long as your not having to match stains or tints.

[almightycrunch]

Do you honestly think that "thin" profile necks have a truss rod cut at a different depth than a thick profiled neck???? think about it for a sec people

sorry, that wasnt meant to be as rude as it sounded.

[khutch]

Originally Posted by almightycrunch

Do you honestly think that "thin" profile necks have a truss rod cut at a different depth than a thick profiled neck???? think about it for a sec people

Do you honestly think that there is an industry standard truss rod depth that all manufacturers abide by religiously??

Ken

[4 Strings]

Originally Posted by almightycrunch

Do you honestly think that "thin" profile necks have a truss rod cut at a different depth than a thick profiled neck???? think about it for a sec people

sorry, that wasnt meant to be as rude as it sounded.

The older Pre-EB necks were one piece, the modern necks have a separate fingerboard (even the maple one) and this is quite thick. If the truss rod cavity has much depth to it there's not a lot of meat left. Might explain why the later necks are chunky relative to the older, one piece necks.

Keep the examples of good shaving experiences coming, my confidence is rising all the time. The chunky ones make my thumb ache after a while whereas I love playing my Pre-EB bass. If all fails I could just swap the necks, but I'm not too keen on that.

[john nam]

+1 on the difficulty of finding the right stain. I didn't think the necks I shaved were stained either until I shaved them. i've found that a bare piece of maple is close to pure white.

[4 Strings]

Originally Posted by john nam

+1 on the difficulty of finding the right stain. I didn't think the necks I shaved were stained either until I shaved them. i've found that a bare piece of maple is close to pure white.

You're right, I'm expecting a change in colour where work has been done, although the wood isn't that old yet. Its a typical MM unfinished neck, its colour comes from the gunstock wax and hand dirt. I expect this to return!

[M. Owen Santy]

Originally Posted by Neek

Is the neck a bolt-on? I would find out the price of purchasing a new neck you are comfortable with, and compare that with the price the luthier will charge for his services. It seems to be the simpler solution; low risk, guaranteed results, and possibly less expensive.

+1K

Look @ Warmouth for a great neck - they will make most things to spec if you ask.

[bassgod0dmw]

Originally Posted by SpectorErector

Look @ Warmouth for a great neck - they will make most things to spec if you ask.

I have had the complete opposite experience with them. They do not do any custom work, and they only work in standard Fender neck pockets.