Can you move a neck back further in a pocket?

[OnTheDownLow]

Hey guys, some of you may have seen my post talking about a vintage P bass that I just purchased. I have to say it's not exactly what I thought it was going to be. However that's not the point of my post, let's get to that.

There is a small gap between the body and neck in the bottom of the pocket. The sides of the pocket themselves are pretty tight but the base of the neck has a gap between the body. My brain thinks why not just have my trusted tech plug the holes and move it back ever so slightly so that the neck is at least touching the back of the pocket as much as it can? It seems like a simple fix in theory but my only concern after a fix like that is intonation.

We are talking about maybe a millimeter or 2 back from its current position, would the bass still be able to be properly intonnated after a fix such as this? I'm not moving the neck over half an inch or anything drastic so my logic tells me this could reasonably be done without having to move the bridge.

Can anyone give me some input on this? I've attached some photos so you guys can see what I am talking about.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Hard to tell for sure, but it looks like the corners are set in closer than at the bottom and almost touching the body?
Might not be much room for movement anyway. I'd definitely check with your (a) tech guy on this.

 

[Reedt2000]

You could, but why modify a vintage bass? The juice ain't worth the squeeze (IMHO)

 

[OnTheDownLow]

You could, but why modify a vintage bass? The juice ain't worth the squeeze (IMHO)

I'd like to put this bass in optimal playing condition, I intend to play it. I'm not a collector and I were to ever sell this bass I would do my best to keep it in a players hands.

The reason I decided to pull the trigger on a vintage bass in the first place is because I'm tired of constantly buying guitars and parts and trading or selling them off. Fender doesn't make what I want anymore so I decided to bite the bullet and just buy what I really want and call it a day.

The seller didn't make this gap completely apparent when I purchased it, besides for that the rest of the bass is great so I don't want to go through the hassle of trying to return it to him. I'd rather just keep it and tweak it a bit for my personal use, taste, and enjoyment.

 

[lokikallas]

Your OCD is the problem, not the tiny gap lol.

 

[Slater]

Before you do any modifications, try this…

With the strings tuned to pitch (not loose), loosen the neck screws slightly (about 1/4 turn), and see if that pulls the neck to the back of the pocket. This is something that occasionally needs to be done with bolt-on necks. Typically after the neck has been loosened or removed for a truss rod adjustment.

If nothing changes, and that's just the way the neck sits in the pocket, I would just leave it alone. If it's a vintage instrument, it's probably been like that since the day it left the factory.

 

[OnTheDownLow]

Before you do any modifications, try this…

With the strings tuned to pitch (not loose), loosen the neck screws slightly (about 1/4 turn), and see if that pulls the neck to the back of the pocket. This is something that occasionally needs to be done with bolt-on necks. Typically after the neck has been loosened or removed for a truss rod adjustment.

If nothing changes, and that's just the way the neck sits in the pocket, I would just leave it alone. If it's a vintage instrument, it's probably been like that since the day it left the factory.

I'll give that a shot, thanks for the tip.

 

[OnTheDownLow]

Your OCD is the problem, not the tiny gap lol.

I didn't post this for unhelpful remarks, I'm looking for answers to a proposed solution.

 

[FunkHead]

I didn't post this for unhelpful remarks, I'm looking for answers to a proposed solution.

@Slater got it right. That always worked for me.

 

[Gluvhand]

I think the pickguard is just overcut and the neck is at it's limit and exactly where it should be.

 

[scottfeldstein]

I'd leave it and not lose a bit of sleep over it. I was imagining a much bigger gap, but after looking at the pics, nah.

 

[lokikallas]

I didn't post this for unhelpful remarks, I'm looking for answers to a proposed solution.

Sorry. It's your money. I'd plug it, move the holes 1mm, sand the heel to fit perfectly and set the intonation ~1mm back if it really bothered me, but it looks inconsequential.

 

[lokikallas]

I think the pickguard is just overcut and the neck is at it's limit and exactly where it should be.

After looking closer I believe you are right. A picture with the guard off would help.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

I didn't post this for unhelpful remarks, I'm looking for answers to a proposed solution.

OK. I won't suggest Bondo.

 

[Zooberwerx]

You really want the neck heel butting firmly against the end of the pocket...it can make a sonic difference. If the G&L "loosen the screws while at tension" doesn't work, I'd remove the strings & screws and find the hang-up impeding the interface.

Riis

 

[Matt Liebenau]

I'd agree that the picture looks like the neck could be snug in the pocket and the pickguard cutout is a bit large. If it is, you're good. If not and the loosen the screws with the strings at pitch trick doesn't help then remove the neck and check for anything that might be keeping the neck from seating all the way in the pocket. If that's all good and you want to plug and redrill holes in the neck go ahead. If the bass is intonated correctly then make sure the saddles have room to move the direction and distance you want to move the bridge. If not, you'll be plugging and redrilling bridge mounting screw holes as well. If all that is worthwhile is up to you.

 

[JRA]

Can anyone give me some input on this?

you were offended by @lokikallas's take, but it's a helpful POV, IMO/IME. that gap means nothing, i.e., the dealbreaker is how well the screws/bolts marry the neck to the body. what it looks like is irrelevant. and if your bridge adjusts to scale, accordingly: play!

good luck with your gap!

 

[mdogs]

I didn't post this for unhelpful remarks, I'm looking for answers to a proposed solution.

Just because you didn't like the answer doesn't mean he isn't right.

 

[WillyW]

Your OCD is the problem, not the tiny gap lol.

I didn't post this for unhelpful remarks, I'm looking for answers to a proposed solution.

That is probably the most helpful tip you are going to get.

Your perceived problem is not an actual problem.

 

[iiipopes]

You could, but why modify a vintage bass? The juice ain't worth the squeeze (IMHO)

This ^ You risk ruination. Leave it be, or sell it to someone who doesn't care.