Does Fender Owe Me a New Neck?

[Bongolation]

I am appalled by the absolute disrespect from almost all parties posting here.

So was I. They really outdid themselves.

 

[bassdaddyfive]

Folks, never buy a Fender unless you check it out first. No two are alike.

 

[TobyBrodel]

op has been super-obnoxious and presumptuous but in his defence he just wants to know whether or not the graphite will save a crotchwood neck.

but I say keep flaming, this thread is far too entertaining!

 

[purfektstranger]

Pot meet kettle....now would you like some cheese with the whine?

 

[GeneralElectric]

And gender neutral crotch at that.

Its not. I see a slit.

 

[GregC]

Apparently, most respondents (typically) don't understand what they're seeing here, so I suggest they pay attention and learn something

I don't get it...

Well, at least you admit it.

I assumed people here understood this stuff better...jeeze

Yes, but try to pay attention to what that actually means.

You might find it educational.

Thanks for that percipient insight.

I am appalled by the absolute disrespect from almost all parties posting here. This is intended to be a fair and respectful website so please take snide remarks elsewhere if need be.

So was I. They really outdid themselves.

OK, sure.

 

[ProfGumby]

Sorry, I guess its easy to dismiss a comment when there is no provenance to back it up. I was a carpenter for years, I'm very passionate about wood, and even without seeing it close up or pics from other angles, its pretty obvious to me that its not a crotch piece of maple. It is plain sawn (flat sawn) and caught the rift when milled. Its no more likely to fail than any other plain sawn board. Even if it were crotch, that in and of itself is not necessarily a death knell for the neck. Crotch can be very stable, especially when no spiralling or crossgrain is present.

You certainly don't have to believe me if you don't want to, or the dozens of other opinions posted here, but I'd bet considerable money I'm right. You might want to show your neck to some folks at a wood distributor and to a few finishing carpenters to verify. Someone somewhere may have a piece of crotch to show you and you'll see what I'm talking about. It may look a bit wiggy, but its plain sawn nonetheless...

I can see what you are saying about the wood. I too was a cabinet maker for over 14 years and I looked at the photos of the neck real hard for a bit of time and I don't see anything that would alarm me with that neck either.

To Bongolation, if the bass plays well now and the neck is straight, etc... I also do not think there is a problem. However, if you (and you kind of do) think there is a problem with the wood, go down the route of seeing if fender will replace it. If not, you know what your choices are.

I can only assume that the graphite rods would in fact help the neck remain stable. I doubt they would be a strong as the steel rods Warmoth uses, but then that is only speculation on my part. I have seen bad wood do many peculiar things and it is amazing how strong the wood can be when it goes bad.

Honestly, if it really bothers you, and if fender does not replace the neck, why not unload the bass on the classifieds or the bay and buy another that you can inspect beforehand?

I know that has been said here before, but if you are uncomfortable with the potential for neck warping/twisting issues, really what other choice is there?

Though you could always buy a FMIC licensed neck from Warmoth etc.and swap them out. Well, that is, if you really don't care if the bass is all factory Fender or not.

I am a big fan of quarter sawn necks myself. Why? I perceive them to be better. Are they? I don't know and for what it's worth, all 5 of my basses have flat sawn necks.

Why not contact fender and at least see what they have to say? And if you use a favor or not is totally up to you. If the bass means that much to you that you want the neck replaced badly enough, that might be your course of action. I guess I am missing why you wouldn't consider selling an otherwise perfectly playable bass and get another....

Either way man, I hope you get this resolved. Good Luck!

What about my neck?

I don't see anything that would alarm me....just some figuring of the wood.....anyone else?

 

[johnk_10]

Yes, but try to pay attention to what that actually means.

You might find it educational.

I assumed people here understood this stuff better...jeeze.

Apparently, most respondents (typically) don't understand what they're seeing here, so I suggest they pay attention and learn something:

i find OP's attitude condescending and pretentious. IMO, i think he's the one that needs to learn something. sheesh!

 

[darkstorm]

Yes graphite reinforcement makes a big difference. I wouldnt worry about the neck. Though fender may not use the most premium for necks grade maple, they do use qaulity for necks maple. Even if its a peice like you describe. I see no pictures here or in the link of the neck so cant comment directly on it. Fender adding graphite reinforcement was an improvement long overdue imo. Back in the 70's they had a reputation for rubbery necks (bendy necks) but most of these didnt develope serious problems. Of course some did, but not a large percentage. Their necks are better now. Imo.

 

[One Drop]

So was I. They really outdid themselves.

People react in kind to the way they are treated.


BTW, you haven't thanked anyone for informing you of the lack of reason to worry about this bass, but since you seem only interested in affirmation of your right to be upset (which is misplaced), I'm not surprised.

 

[Aspidites]

Hahaha, people should read the thread. Fender made a boo boo when making this bass - The neck is made from crap wood that basically will warp to a permanent unplayable state unless you reinforce it; even then its stability is not certain since the wood wants to warp at that specific point. It may be fine now, but even if you kept it in perfect condition, it will probably need to be replaced eventually. The grain doesn't run the full length of the neck, so this essentially has the structural stability of a frankensteined neck made from two pieces of wood with unmatched grain patterns joined at the 5th fret.

If you bought this new and it's an American Standard, then yes, you should complain. Whether you get anything out of it, who knows. I would assume this falls short of their quality standard, so you should at least push for a new neck.

That is absolute nonsense of the highest magnitude.

 

[Beej]

Hahaha, people should read the thread. Fender made a boo boo when making this bass - The neck is made from crap wood that basically will warp to a permanent unplayable state unless you reinforce it; even then its stability is not certain since the wood wants to warp at that specific point. It may be fine now, but even if you kept it in perfect condition, it will probably need to be replaced eventually. The grain doesn't run the full length of the neck, so this essentially has the structural stability of a frankensteined neck made from two pieces of wood with unmatched grain patterns joined at the 5th fret.

If you bought this new and it's an American Standard, then yes, you should complain. Whether you get anything out of it, who knows. I would assume this falls short of their quality standard, so you should at least push for a new neck.

Just to echo Aspidites, the above post is utter uneducated nonsensical opinion, and the poster should be ashamed of putting forth such BS. This is exactly how misinformation is propagated. Did you also predict that planes would fall out of the sky on Y2K?

Nonsense...

 

[joeyl]

oh btw I have 2 Fenders, one has graphite reinforcements and the other one does not. Guess which one has the most stable neck? Yep the one with no reinforcement, I think I adjusted the truss twice since I got the bass 5-6 years ago, the other one moves constantly, I can leave it on the stand and pick it up throughout the week, and the relief will be different each time so I am a non believer of graphite rods in a neck, but rather a believer of well-made to begin-with necks

 

[Burlington]

Ya'll postin in a troll thread.