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I dunno, I have a BIG gap in some of my neck slots (especially after shimming), so I wouldn't be too worried.
Your 2 fingers in the photo looked to me like something else entirely, before I scrolled down. Thanks for the laugh.
I don't understand why there are fit/finish issues like this on Fender basses. If they are all made on CNC machines, there's no reason why there should be huge gaps in the neck pocket.
I'd hazard a guess that it's the sanding of the neck heel after the machining that creates a looser fit, so some would be tight and others looser. I believe this sanding is done by hand (well a hand sander). So necks that have a looser fit have been sanded more to remove machining flaws etc.
Also you have to keep in mind they make hundreds of instruments a day and getting the best possible fit takes time due to the variables of finish and sanding, so as a company it makes sense to have a bit of leeway to prevent getting a neck that is too tight at assembly.
Only a problem if your neck is shifting or rattling or it is affecting the alignment or action of your strings - you'll find a lot of fenders (especially from certain eras) have HUGE gaps - the gap on my P is almost as big as yours, I've seen much worse with little/no negative effect.2014 American Standard PBass.
I have seen some "slop" or gap in a neck pocket of a strat or tele, this seems like more than normal but maybe I am wrong?
It is about the width of a yellow dunlop pick.
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Does this look normal or right, or OK?
I'd hazard a guess that it's the sanding of the neck heel after the machining that creates a looser fit, so some would be tight and others looser. I believe this sanding is done by hand (well a hand sander). So necks that have a looser fit have been sanded more to remove machining flaws etc.
Also you have to keep in mind they make hundreds of instruments a day and getting the best possible fit takes time due to the variables of finish and sanding, so as a company it makes sense to have a bit of leeway to prevent getting a neck that is too tight at assembly.
Picture of the strings over the pickup and partial neck.
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All of that looks ok I guess.
That was my first thought, but then many other companies manage to get it right! I can see that maybe on the cheaper lines of instruments workers are not being paid as much, and as a consequence standards are maybe not as high, but I feel that on the top line of instruments (bar the custom shop) they should be able to get the neck pocket right.
So up close, so blurry....what are we looking at?
2014 American Standard PBass.
I have seen some "slop" or gap in a neck pocket of a strat or tele, this seems like more than normal but maybe I am wrong?
It is about the width of a yellow dunlop pick.
![]()
![]()
Does this look normal or right, or OK?
If the neck is fitted properly, i.e., no movement, etc., I wouldn't worry too much about it. That being said, I have a $150 SX Ursa 4 bass that looks like the neck was hand fitted to the body.2014 American Standard PBass.
I have seen some "slop" or gap in a neck pocket of a strat or tele, this seems like more than normal but maybe I am wrong?
It is about the width of a yellow dunlop pick.
![]()
![]()
Does this look normal or right, or OK?