Should I worry about this crack?

[Fletz]

Just bought this bass used. Plays great. Feels great. Looks great. Sounds great. However at practice last night I discovered a hairline crack on the body at the neck joint. See the picture. There's no buzzing. No sound impact that I noticed. Is this something to be concerned about?

For the record, the dude who sold it to me was unaware of it and I totally believe it was sold without malice. Great guy. I have no intention of making a big deal about it. I am just curious if this will cause a problem down the road. The price was more than fair.

[Fletz]

The flash exaggerates it. It's hard to see but it can be felt with your fingers.

[maches]

Kind of hard to tell, but it looks like it is just a finish crack, I wouldn't worry about it. Have you taken the neck off to look at it more carefully?

[Fletz]

Originally Posted by maches

Kind of hard to tell, but it looks like it is just a finish crack, I wouldn't worry about it. Have you taken the neck off to look at it more carefully?

No. Great question. I'll do that.

[THORRR]

"Every sixty seconds you spend worrying is a minute of happiness you'll never get back"

The crack is in a strange place but since it serves no function (like support for the neck) it may even break off completely with no ill effect other than cosmetics.

If it were mine, I'd check to see if it's a crack in the paint or all the way through the wood making it jiggle. If it's all the way through I'd just glue it back with quick-glue and touch up the crack with a little black paint.

You may want to remove the neck first to prevent the glue from wicking to the neck, and it will also help you determine the depth of the crack.

I'm sure there are other people who will say to just break it off because it will add to the "mojo" of the bass. (I'm not one of them)

best of luck

[Fletz]

Awesome. Thanks all. I am already feeling less concerned about it!

[Antny]

I'd be concerned with the reason it cracked. Neck pocket movement?

[KramerBassFan]

I have numerous guitars that have done that. Nothing to be worried about.

[Diogenes]

Originally Posted by Antny

I'd be concerned with the reason it cracked. Neck pocket movement?

I wouldn't be concerned with that either. If the neck is shifting in the pocket then I'm sure Fletz would feel that and tighten the screws. Otherwise he should stop doing neck bends when playing Sheehan licks.

[Addison]

That crack is probably the A#1 most common crack you'll find on a used bolt on bass.

It's nothing to worry about, IMO.

[Absentia]

I wouldn't worry about it, even if that part broke straight off it wouldn't affect much.

I have a few guitars with cracks like these.

[Antny]

Originally Posted by Diogenes

I wouldn't be concerned with that either. If the neck is shifting in the pocket then I'm sure Fletz would feel that and tighten the screws. Otherwise he should stop doing neck bends when playing Sheehan licks.

That's how I ruined my neck pocket. A few thousand too many of those bends. lol.

[Fletz]

And these responses are why I love me some talkbass.com

[yellofury]

in short no

I had one similar to my Squier strat that I owned for 14 years with no issue
(and it still isn't)

[thumpbass1]

It would be an easy fix if you choose to do so.

[godofthunder59]

I'll echo what most have said. Very common for a bolt on bass. It is not structural and does not affect the playability or integrity of the bass. Most likley a finish crack, if the piece does fall out it is a very easy repair. Bottom line I wouldn't worry about it.

[jgroh]

[shaolinwhat]

Most basses I own/have owned have that crack.

[carlos840]

Originally Posted by maches

Kind of hard to tell, but it looks like it is just a finish crack, I wouldn't worry about it. Have you taken the neck off to look at it more carefully?

+1

If its only a finish crack there is nothing to worry about!