Chip in neck finish

[FootieSoxx]

Hello all! I got a GREAT deal on a used bass today, a 1996 U.S. Jazz Bass. It's in fairly good condition for its age, but there's one thing that slightly worries me: a chip through the finish on the back of the neck, where my thumb rests behind the 3rd fret, around 1/4" x 1/16". There's a tiny bit of exposed wood that looks like it's been played over for a while (the wood there has turned dark gray, sort of like a worn Tele fingerboard).

The neck seems solid right now, it's very straight with pretty low action...but is this something I need to be worried about in the long term? Although the body is poly, the neck is nitro, so I can't use the nail-polish-spot-treatment method. I'm considering just leaving it and not worrying about it, I just don't want any unsealed maple neck nightmares (like warping) to come true.

 

[202dy]

Hello all! I got a GREAT deal on a used bass today, a 1996 U.S. Jazz Bass. It's in fairly good condition for its age, but there's one thing that slightly worries me: a chip through the finish on the back of the neck, where my thumb rests behind the 3rd fret, around 1/4" x 1/16". There's a tiny bit of exposed wood that looks like it's been played over for a while (the wood there has turned dark gray, sort of like a worn Tele fingerboard).

The neck seems solid right now, it's very straight with pretty low action...but is this something I need to be worried about in the long term? Although the body is poly, the neck is nitro, so I can't use the nail-polish-spot-treatment method. I'm considering just leaving it and not worrying about it, I just don't want any unsealed maple neck nightmares (like warping) to come true.

Nail polish is (typically) nitrocellulose lacquer. It is the material of choice.

A small chip is not going to have a major effect, like warping, on the neck.

If the dirt-the gray is dirt-is a bother, distilled water is the answer. Degrease the surface first. Then a drop at a time is applied and a clean, absorbent cloth is used to wick the water and dirt from the surface. It takes a few repetitions, sometimes many repetitions to achieve a clean surface. It will raise the grain. A light sanding with some 400 and 600 grit on a sponge backing will take smooth things out. Then apply the nitro drop fill.