Do all those sweet vintage instruments ever need repairs?

[StuFordBass]

Just curious because I've never heard anything on the subject, when you see basses that are seriously worn, serious mojo, vintage basses that have been through a lifetime of gigs... are those basses that have always been great players, or are they basses that have been taken care of and worked on over the years. How common is ski-jump and other neck warping. are these basses awesome on there own or are they the result of excellent maintenance.

 

[mikeswals]

Of course they do. Just like anything built today, some need TLC, and some may not.
Ski jump necks are common enough that most techs know how to fix it.
Heck, even Will Lee's beloved '60 Precision was the subject of a BP tech aticle of fixing a ski ramp neck.
How many times had JPJ's infamous Jazz been restored? According to Hugh Manson, several times.

 

[Marty Forrer]

Jazz basses from the 60s were notorious for neck problems. Ski ramps, truss-rod nuts stripping, truss-rods breaking were the main ones I remember.

 

[shrigg]

Jazz basses from the 60s were notorious for neck problems. Ski ramps, truss-rod nuts stripping, truss-rods breaking were the main ones I remember.

Many of those ailments (at least the latter two) stem from ham-fisted or incompetent techs. In my experience vintage Fenders hold up amazingly well over the years if given proper care.

 

[Jim C]

The biggest repair is usually involving necks.
IME PRE CBS P necks stay pretty straight and J are not so bad either
There are a ton of 70's basses that have big ski jumps as mentioned above
Have also seen this with many 80's and 90's basses

My question; how does the American made necks of the last few years stack up compared to the past?

 

[Iridescentone]

My question; how does the American made necks of the last few years stack up compared to the past?

Perhaps the answer lies somewhat in the fact that reinforcement rods have been added to their necks?

 

[Jim C]

They've always had single stel truss rods although I am unfamiliar with how well the new graphite rods behave. Kinda thought they might go to a dual rod but I don't think that is the case.

 

[JayBassD]

I wouldn't be surprised if jack sockets were an issue as well. Seem to be the most common, basic repair done at the workshop as they mess up so easily.

 

[thumpbass1]

Instruments are like anything that gets used, they are gonna need repairs and maintenance along the way.

 

[georgestrings]

All instruments that are seeing moderate to heavy use are going to need upkeep/repairs from time to time - no big deal...

That being said - IME, once an instrument is a few years old, if it hasn't already developed any "problems", they generally won't unless something is done to it(exposed to extreme elements, damaged due to accident or abuse, improper "luthier" work, etc...)


- georgestrings

 

[georgestrings]

They've always had single stel truss rods although I am unfamiliar with how well the new graphite rods behave. Kinda thought they might go to a dual rod but I don't think that is the case.

I have an '08 FSR Hot Rod Jazz and an '08 American Standard Jazz - and have owned several other MIA Fenders with the posi-flex rods... all of them have had extremely stable necks... My *guess* is that the additional rods will help those necks in regards to future issues like warp, twist, and ski jump - although that's only a guess...


- georgestrings

 

[Dbassmon]

Frets are wear and tear items, they wear out.
Pots can get worn out too. Pickups can die from coil oxidation.
Repair is the answer to all of these issues. Seem like a pretty obvious answer to me.