NBD - 50s P - Return It?

[XontheP]

Just received a new 50s Precision in honey blonde. This thing is gorgeous, prettier than I hoped, almost a butterscotch color. Sounds amazing. BUT:

The bridge appears to be off a little over a sixteenth, and none of the strings line up between the pickups. The D string is pretty much over a pole rather than between them. I can move the strings on the bridge slots but that makes an extreme angle that makes me wince to look at it. Then since I was looking with a critical eye, the G string looks to be very close to the edge of the fingerboard, and the E is closer than I expected. With a neck that wide I wouldn't expect that.

Am I being too picky? Expecting too much? Pics below.

Bridge and Pickup

• XontheP
• Mar 7, 2017
• 2

Shows string alignment over pickup

Spacing

• XontheP
• Mar 7, 2017

Shows spacing at end of neck

Nut

• XontheP
• Mar 7, 2017

Shows how close the nut is cut to the side

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Loosen the neck, pull the stock toward the E string, and re-tighten the bolts. This isn't uncommon with bolt-on necks. If it makes you feel better, I have done it to much more expensive basses. If the thing plays great then I would just kiss it and love it and squeeze it and hug it and call it "George."

 

[DJ '65]

Before you give up on it I would loosen the strings, carefully loosen the neck bolts and see if it's as simple as adjusting the neck slightly and tightening it back up. I had to do that on a G&L Legacy once, simple fix. Hopefully that's all yours needs, good luck.

 

[mongo2]

Looks to me like shifting the neck a bit may take care of the string/neck alignment and some of the string/polepiece alignment. The strings not being in the exact center between the poles is not a problem since, when set up properly, the strings are within the contiguous magnetic field between the poles.

 

[XontheP]

Heading to rehearsal soon, I'm going to take it and play it as-is, then do a set up when I get home, adjusting the neck as suggested. Thanks!

 

[jhb138]

That's gorgeous! Congrats.

I agree with those who've said try adjusting the neck in the pocket before returning.

 

[twc1313]

Unless it makes you mental, I wouldn't worry about it. Play the strings open and listen for any kind of "chorusy" effect that might ensue. If you don't hear that, then the pickup string alignment is fine. Those magnets give off a wide field so it shouldn't be an issue.

 

[40Hz]

If it sounds ok, I wouldn't worry about it, as has been suggested.

If the bridge is miscentered or tilted it's bit of a PITA to plug, remeasure and realign and then redrill new holes for the anchor screws. (Take a look here to see what's involved in fixing a badly aligned bridge correctly.) So unless it's an audible issue, I'd be inclined to leave it alone if you really like the bass.

 

[FunkHead]

Just slide the strings over on the threaded saddles one position.

 

[Basshappi]

Just go play the hell out of it, it'll be alright, trust me!

 

[Spirit of Ox]

How's the intonation. If the neck is shifted or bridge misaligned than you will notice the intonation being off, especially on the G string.

 

[Spidey2112]

X

Just received a new 50s Precision in honey blonde. This thing is gorgeous, prettier than I hoped, almost a butterscotch color. Sounds amazing. BUT:

The bridge appears to be off a little over a sixteenth, and none of the strings line up between the pickups. The D string is pretty much over a pole rather than between them. I can move the strings on the bridge slots but that makes an extreme angle that makes me wince to look at it. Then since I was looking with a critical eye, the G string looks to be very close to the edge of the fingerboard, and the E is closer than I expected. With a neck that wide I wouldn't expect that.

Am I being too picky? Expecting too much? Pics below.

Bridge and Pickup

• XontheP
• Mar 7, 2017
• 2

Shows string alignment over pickup

Spacing

• XontheP
• Mar 7, 2017

Shows spacing at end of neck

Nut

• XontheP
• Mar 7, 2017

Shows how close the nut is cut to the side

X, what's the radius of the neck? Unsure if it's the pic, but the pups look 'animated' in their relative positions.

 

[electracoyote]

Posts 2, 3, and 4 are good suggestions. Looking at the picture of the strings on the fretboard, you have a wider margin between string 4 and its edge than the margin at string 1 and its edge. Not unusual, necks shift during shipping all the time. I don't even like handling my bolt-on basses by the neck for fear I'll accidentally tweak the neck in the pocket.

Also, use those micro-groove adjuster slots on the saddles to your advantage. You should be able to dial things in pretty good with those two steps.

But I would hesitate to reject a bass just because the strings are not riding perfectly between poles. Those poles have a wide enough "hot spot" that "close" to center between them is close enough to still get the best tone the pickup offers.

FWIW, the bridge is almost certainly not misaligned. The strings across the saddles, maybe.

 

[bassliner50]

No don't return it. If it's looks and tone make you happy, then that's the bass you want! I would do as others suggested. Loosen the strings, back off the screws on the neck plate, hold the body steady, while you coax the neck toward the E string. (use a padded clamp to hold the neck and body close flush together and in the corrected position if you like.) Then retighten the screws on the neck plate, then lastly remove the clamp if you used one. The bass should be fine. It looks like a handsome Precision. Go play it.

 

[Kukulkan61]

Loosen the neck, pull the stock toward the E string, and re-tighten the bolts. This isn't uncommon with bolt-on necks. If it makes you feel better, I have done it to much more expensive basses. If the thing plays great then I would just kiss it and love it and squeeze it and hug it and call it "George."[/QUOTE

 

[Mr_O'B]

Posts 2, 3, and 4 are good suggestions. Looking at the picture of the strings on the fretboard, you have a wider margin between string 4 and its edge than the margin at string 1 and its edge. Not unusual, necks shift during shipping all the time. I don't even like handling my bolt-on basses by the neck for fear I'll accidentally tweak the neck in the pocket.

Also, use those micro-groove adjuster slots on the saddles to your advantage. You should be able to dial things in pretty good with those two steps.

But I would hesitate to reject a bass just because the strings are not riding perfectly between poles. Those poles have a wide enough "hot spot" that "close" to center between them is close enough to still get the best tone the pickup offers.

FWIW, the bridge is almost certainly not misaligned.

Yes, return it!

 

[MCF]

I'd be concerned, but try the above suggestions. If it isn't perfect for you and you don't want to mess with it (and for the price you paid you shouldn't have to), exchange it.

 

[pudgychef]

+1 try the next slot on the bridge first.....
If that doesn't work..try the neck shift..I like this feature of the threaded bridge on my '06 Classic 50s P

 

[Gideon352]

Some excellent suggestions here IMHO.

Just some food for thought: I've regretted getting rid of a bass before because I thought it could be better. What I failed to consider (seems obvious in retrospect) was that it could also be worse too (and in my case, the replacement was)!

 

[kodiakblair]

Send it back. You bought a new bass why should it be down to you to move neck,possibly move bridge etc.

It's a mass produced item,if the company care that little about the end product don't encourage them. I hear what folks are saying about if it feels right or sounds great but the OP paid good money,doesn't he deserve better ?