Double Bass Gap between Fingerboard and Neck

[Mike Winderman]

I have a Epiphone B-5. When you tune it up there is a gap between the

fingerboard and the neck that is about a 1/8" wide. you can see light between the

neck and the board. I took to the only repair shop in my area and all they did was

shave the sides of the board to be flush with the neck. They didn't fix the gap! So I

am going to have to do it myself. I know I have to use hide glue. Any info would be

greatly appreciated.Thanks in advance.

 

[MostroDB]

Mike,
- photos would be useful;
- you may be able to get by with massaging glue in the gap, when it is open, and then clamping it closed, but that is likely to be a temporary fix;
- use glue that is compatible with the existing glue;
- the better approach is probably to take the fb off altogether, properly clean fb & neck to get rid of the old glue, make sure fb & neck fit well to each other;
- and glue it back on with sufficient clamps. If the neck is bent, you may have to correct for that before gluing.

Good luck!

Btw, what that repair shop did sounds quite undesirable... How can your fb become too wide?

 

[Thumpie]

I'd say avoid that "repair shop" altogether. You need to find a reputable bass luthier. Where do you live? Maybe someone here on Talkbass can help you find a good luthier in your area. (Here's a hint: if you go in the shop and there's a bunch of guitars laying around, but not a bass in sight, you are in the wrong place. The person I go to only works on double basses.)

 

[RCWilliams]

I am a bit curious, is the gap appearing in the mid section of the board and neck? can you lift the finger board away from the neck at the heel of the neck or is it attached soundly at the heel and the nut but not in the middle?

you can put glue into the opening and work it in with a very thin knife blade, in either circumstance, but most important is to make certain that you can clamp the neck and fingerboard together quickly and securely, do a dress rehearsal a couple times and make certain that when you clamp it it stays in alignment with the neck. did you ask the local repair shop why they didn't fix what you brought it to them for? If they glued it but it didn't hole perhaps there is another problem presenting that is less obvious.

 

[arnoldschnitzer]

Mike,
-
- the better approach is probably to take the fb off altogether, properly clean fb & neck to get rid of the old glue, make sure fb & neck fit well to each other;
- and glue it back on with sufficient clamps. If the neck is bent, you may have to correct for that before gluing.

This is the only way you should proceed, IMHO. You are doing damage to the bass by leaving it the way it is. This is not a job for an amateur, unless he/she is a very experienced woodworker and knows how to use hide glue. The person who "fixed" it for you is a moron.

 

[Mike Winderman]

My bass had a new fingerboard which extended past the neck by about an 1/8 inch. I wish there was a good repair shop close but I don't know of one. I will definitely do a dress rehearsal before I do it, Thanks Again.

 

[uprightben]

Your fingerboard probably doesn't fit very well, that's why the joint failed, especially if it is new. You really need a professional to do the job right, you might have to drive an hour or two to get to one. I guess I really have no idea since you won't tell us where you are.

 

[Heifetzbass]

My bass had a new fingerboard which extended past the neck by about an 1/8 inch. I wish there was a good repair shop close but I don't know of one. I will definitely do a dress rehearsal before I do it, Thanks Again.

If you fill out your profile entirely with a general location, believe it or not, we might be able to point you in the right direction!

BG