Attaching a neck and body without the neck plate

[Gorn]

I recently swapped necks with another bass and then swapped back, and in the process, misplaced the neck plate. I could obviously buy a new one, but is it necessary? Or does it just protect the finish from the screw ends? Does the bass lose any stability without it?

 

[202dy]

The neck plate is a (typically) giant four hole washer. It protects the body against the screws crushing the wood fibers. Buy a new one and install it.

Next time place all the parts in a suitable, lidded container and label it. It saves a lot of grief.

 

[Technotitclan]

The plate spreads the pressure from the screw heads over a wider area to stop damage from the screws. Even non plate bolt on's have ferules under each bolt to do the same thing.

 

[Gorn]

I didn't consider the wood fiber getting crushed. That makes sense. If it was just the finish I wouldn't care, but I guess it's a problem.

 

[Treadstone71]

Technotitclan nailed it. Without the plate (or some broad washers) the pressure from the screws will cause the heads to bite into the wood of the body, and over time, dig in (and eventually through) causing damage.

 

[Awesome Sauce]

The neck plate is a (typically) giant four hole washer. It protects the body against the screws crushing the wood fibers. Buy a new one and install it.

Next time place all the parts in a suitable, lidded container and label it. It saves a lot of grief.

Or do what both I and Reverend Guitars do, and screw the plate to the body, so when removing the neck, you don't lose it. ::

Rob

 

[FunkHead]

Plus you'll shoot the Screws right through the fingerboard unless you shorten them. Better to just wait and get another plate.

 

[yodedude2]

plus most all of the neck screws and plates i've seen have beveled edges designed for one another.

plus it provides extra space so the screws don't go further into the neck or sprout through the fretboard.

 

[M0ses]

Definitely going to at least need some washers.

 

[202dy]

Or do what both I and Reverend Guitars do, and screw the plate to the body, so when removing the neck, you don't lose it. ::

Rob

The neck screws should be able to pass through the body with no or minimal contact. If the plate can be screwed to the body with the neck screws the holes are too small.

 

[Awesome Sauce]

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[darius8]

+1 for large washers if you got to have it soon. #Ace hardware

 

[fhm555]

Go to your local ACE or Home Labyrinth and look for some flanged finishing washers of the correct size for your neck screws, or wait til you can get a new neck plate.

 

[elBandito]

I don't think the neck plate does anything to prevent crushing the wood. 70's style plastic pad anybody? I've seen countless fenders with neckplates "dog eared" around the edges, and dig into the wood. Even when you hand tighten the screws snug, the neck plate does not want to stay flat. When you take the neck plate off vintage fenders, you can clearly see, center portion of the neck plate rarely touch the wood. Surface area that touches the body is about the same as using individual bushings.

I like using individual screws and bushings, so the screws don't have to fight around the neck plate.

Fender neck plate weighs about 2oz, so you can save a good amount of weight. I used M5 size countersunk machined aluminum spacers. You can find some on ebay for cheap.

 

[Pilgrim]

Go to your local ACE or Home Labyrinth and look for some flanged finishing washers of the correct size for your neck screws, or wait til you can get a new neck plate.

This is what I had in mind. I believe ACE carries those washers - they have a beveled center...here's a photo. I think the idea of spreading the retaining force over a wider area with these washers is a good one.