Bought a new Ibanez. Neck pocket question.

[stingray69]

If that's the case on yours, then my treble side is worse because it's just as noticeable as the bass side of the neck. At first, I thought maybe it was body contouring or just a variation in cutting process but I don't think it's the case here. My SR505 is "contoured" as well and the neck does not look like this on either side.

The body is beautiful and fine but I think the neck on this thing left a lot to be desired. It's not as refined and smooth as my SR505. Something I didn't notice right away, is the saddles are pretty much maxed out on the height. I don't know if this is necessarily bad or not but it was something I noticed. Another thing, if you look at my first picture you'll notice a gray area on the neck wood in front of the heel. I found several of those areas on the neck. They feel different than the rest of the wood. I don't what it is but I didn't want to try and sand them off. Also, it actually had an area the felt like a splinter that caught my hand. The neck just doesn't feel like it was fully or maybe properly finished.

For grins and giggles, I had a brief conversation late last week with the person I bought my SR505 from and asked if she had anything done to the neck. I was curious if she had it sanded, polished, sealed or did anything to the neck to make play like butter. She replied no, and that it was the best playing Ibanez 5-string they had at the music store, so she bought it over the higher end ones.

After that I decided to go to Guitar Center to check out their current stock of Ibanez basses. They had a new SR405, SR505, SR600 and SR700 in stock. I know they are not exact comparisons but it was something to look at. The neck pockets looked the same as my SR505, in other words perfect looking. The finish of necks were all better than the SR705 I received with a obvious difference of the SR405 being a maple neck.

That sealed it for me and will be returning the bass today. At this point, I don't care if it's shimmed, body contoured, extra glue, etc. Ultimately, this progressed beyond the neck pocket and to likeability of the neck on this particular SR705. I don't like the feel of the neck and feel it's not up to snuff from what I expect from a mid-range priced Ibanez.

Well, I sure don't know what the gray spots on the neck wood are, and if there is obvious tilting on the treble side of yours too, then something is obviously going on with the neck in more ways than one. Hard to tell from your pic, but is the end of the neck lifted above the neck pocket? Any chance of a pic from the treble side of the instrument before it is returned? Interesting info regarding the 700 model you looked at. I will keep an eye out at local stores for other examples of the 705 model for comparison. But ultimately, you have to be happy with your instrument, and this one does sound like it has a questionable history of sorts with some of the things going on with the neck. A return may be your best bet in light of everything going on with the neck on this particular instrument. Best of luck!

 

[stiles72]

Guys - If you don't know what Ibanez neck joints are suppose to look like - why are you posting in this thread?

Ibanez bass neck joints don't look like that - go to your local music stores, and look. The neck, and body lines should be parallel.

I have a few Ibanez basses - so I feel qualified to chime in. As long as the bass performs well and the action is adjustable to the users liking, there is nothing wrong with the neck pocket. On bolt on basses (my Ibanezes included) there can be variation from bass to bass. Heck, on a neck through bass like a T-bird, the neck is supposed to angle like that. My Pearl White SR-800 has that lower portion of the neck that extends into the body sitting just a hair above the body. But the action and everything else is AOK. Conversly, my Gray Nickel SR-800's neck pocket looks like the OP's. I would not say the bass is defective - it's just how that particular one sets up.

 

[henry2513]

If that's the case on yours, then my treble side is worse because it's just as noticeable as the bass side of the neck. At first, I thought maybe it was body contouring or just a variation in cutting process but I don't think it's the case here. My SR505 is "contoured" as well and the neck does not look like this on either side.
Something I didn't notice right away, is the saddles are pretty much maxed out on the height. I don't know if this is necessarily bad or not but it was something I noticed. Another thing, if you look at my first picture you'll notice a gray area on the neck wood in front of the heel. I found several of those areas on the neck. They feel different than the rest of the wood. I don't what it is but I didn't want to try and sand them off. Also, it actually had an area the felt like a splinter that caught my hand. The neck just doesn't feel like it was fully or maybe properly finished.

Now knowing this additional info I'd return it too.

 

[TitaniumRx]

I take some photos of mine brand new sr705.Mine neck pocket is straight and the bass plays very well,very low action and zero fret buzz

But another of my basses which is also with very low action and without fret buzz have the same angle pocket like yours OP,ever wider i can say.And only in left side,like the sr705 of the Stingray69.

So,my opinion is if the bass plays good and between specs its alright to have that angle on neck pocket.