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missing one neck screw

#21
Very true, many are designed that way. The screw placement is a little differently laid out, though. Not just a missing soldier.
Not trying to step on anyone's toes here, so please don't take it that way, but, As a bassist for the past 50 years, and the owner of a wood working business for the past 24 years, I'd recommend that you replace the missing screw.
Wood moves, and the biggest culprit for making it move is humidity.
Your call. The short term risk is very low, and the long there is a possibility of movement. Why risk it? The cost will most likely be one to five dollars.
 
#23
georgestrings said:
I know what you're getting at, but a better question is how could someone who considers themselves a competant and knowledgeable tech play a bass for 15 years without installing a suitable substitute while waiting for a "vintage" screw???
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Still being snarky, I see.

Like I said, it came to me that way, and had been that way for who knows how long without causing any harm.

Why not leave it that way? The missing screw is part of it's history. Some might say the missing screw is part of it's "mojo" (if you believe in that...I don't). If nothing else I've found it to be an interesting experiment, which is something I try to do whenever possible. A screw can always be put in and as time has proven it isn't really necessary.
 
#25
It may not cause an issue at all. However, I'm not one to leave stuff like that hanging. And really, it's a cheap and easy step to take to prevent any future headaches. I mean, it was designed with that screw in mind, so surely it cannot be purely vestigial.
 
#26
majortoby said:
It may not cause an issue at all. However, I'm not one to leave stuff like that hanging. And really, it's a cheap and easy step to take to prevent any future headaches. I mean, it was designed with that screw in mind, so surely it cannot be purely vestigial.
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As an engineer I can relate to that. I suppose I'm just curious and I like to experiment and push the envelope. As a result of experimentation I've demonstrated to myself such things as a missing neck screw isn't a big deal as long as it's missing from the right place, a tight neckpocket isn't necessary (in fact a neckpocket isn't really necessary at all), necks contribute more to tone than the body on a solidbody, properly done what some would consider radical reshaping of a neck doesn't influence the tone, pickup position is a very important factor, and shortscale necks are more even sounding and better at controlling deadspots than longscale necks.
 
#27
mongo2 said:
As an engineer I can relate to that. I suppose I'm just curious and I like to experiment and push the envelope. As a result of experimentation I've demonstrated to myself such things as a missing neck screw isn't a big deal as long as it's missing from the right place, a tight neckpocket isn't necessary (in fact a neckpocket isn't really necessary at all), necks contribute more to tone than the body on a solidbody, properly done what some would consider radical reshaping of a neck doesn't influence the tone, pickup position is a very important factor, and shortscale necks are more even sounding and better at controlling deadspots than longscale necks.
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As an engineer you should also be aware that your experience with your bass does not translate to a "rule". We are talking about a $5.00 and 5 minute insurance policy, and it's generated two pages counter point.

You are right, there might not be an issue at all, but there is just about the same chance that their very well could be. For the tie and money invested to correct such a thing, why wouldn't you?
 
#28
frankieC said:
As an engineer you should also be aware that your experience with your bass does not translate to a "rule". We are talking about a $5.00 and 5 minute insurance policy, and it's generated two pages counter point.
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The point of my post was to demonstrate that it won't make any difference in the time until the OP gets the screw replaced, but that seems to have gone over the heads of those so quick to judge and in a rush to post their usual snarky attempts at denigration. Whooosh!


frankieC said:
You are right, there might not be an issue at all, but there is just about the same chance that their very well could be. For the tie and money invested to correct such a thing, why wouldn't you?
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I never said it shouldn't be replaced, but I chose not to for the reason already stated.
 
#36
frankieC said:
Actually, the question would be "why not"? [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
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The reasons why it's not foolish to let it go have already been given.

My experience using a bass with a 4 screw neck that only has 3 of the neck screws installed strongly indicates that there won't be any issues down the road. How many years have you used a bass under similar circumstances where there was an issue?

So far, nobody has given a single reason why it would be foolish to let it go.

Here's another scenario...How about using only 2, 3, or 4 screws to fasten a 5 screw bridge? Do you have a problem with that too?
 
#37
First of all, you need to realize that I'm not saying you're wrong. I am saying that I disagree with you, or, at least your logic.

For example If you had a car with three good tires and a bald one that still holds air, would you replace it? Or wait until something goes wrong. My choice would be to replace the tire before there is an issue. Based on your comments you'd bet that there won't be an issue because there hasn't been one to date.

With this issue of the missing neck screw, there are no guaranties either way that something will, or won't go wrong. The possibility the neck moving is as great, as it's not moving.
For a few bucks and a few minutes, why wouldn't you take the precautionary measures?
 
#38
mongo2 said:
Here's another scenario...How about using only 2, 3, or 4 screws to fasten a 5 screw bridge? Do you have a problem with that too?
Click to expand...

Yes, and have experience missing screws in both scenarios, and have replaced them at my first opportunity. I fully realize that there is no emergency, but I do repair/replacement anyway. Whether it's "necessary" or not.

.....Probably one of the reasons I can still use a 40 years old bass, and a 45 year old tube bass amp to gig with weekly. lol

My recommendation: Replace the screw. Err on the side a caution, if you will.
 

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