Double Bass Neck Crack, will this be an issue? Luthier Advice appreciated...Jake? Arnold?

[Mikey3]

So I am planning on buying a bass, but the neck has a repaired crack in it. I assume it is from shrinkage, drying etc...It is repaired and smooth. However, I have never seen a neck crack in this area. Is this asking for further problems down the road? Or is this something that will be pretty stable and not really have to worry about? I think I would be much more concerned if it was around the heel or headstock, but this is kind of in the middle of the neck. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Cheers
Mike

 

[Eric Hochberg]

Tell us more about the bass, asking price, etc. Unless it's a special bass or you're getting it for a steal, there are plenty of basses out there without neck cracks… I'm not a luthier/wood expert, but the grain of the neck looks unusual to me.

 

[Mikey3]

It is a shen hybrid. Price would be the same as a new 88.

 

[Eric Hochberg]

I guess I'd leave it to an expert luthier to advise. I don't know how much a neck replacement would run if it was needed. New Shen 150 is around $2600.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

I haven't played this bass, but I know the guy who repaired it, and he's legit.

 

[Mikey3]

That's great news! So should stay stable?

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

I'd imagine. He told me he uses some synthetic glue (can't remember what kind) on neck breaks and has get to have one come apart, IIRC.

 

[Jake deVilliers]

More large high resolution photos of the bass, please.

 

[Mikey3]

More large high resolution photos of the bass, please.

Sorry Jake, this is the best photo I have of the damage. The rest of the bass is in great new condition, Shen 150 hybrid.

 

[arnoldschnitzer]

Looks like a split that occurred during drying. That neck block should have been culled out and discarded. Having said that, if the crack has been glued, and the fingerboard is good and well-attached, and the neck wood is now dry (8% moisture content or less) it will probably never get worse. I would have the luthier remove the nut and check the neck's moisture content there to be sure. Since that is a spot near the end grain, it will read a bit lower than the rest of the neck.

 

[Mikey3]

Thanks everyone for your help!

 

[eh_train]

What about a carbon fibre insert, as insurance?

 

[arnoldschnitzer]

It would be fine, providing you can get the fingerboard off without damage, never an easy task with a Shen (hint, hint, Sam).

 

[Mikey3]

It's coming my way. Pretty excited, wonder how it will fare to the Eberle hybrid I used to own. Time will soon tell

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Excellent! Several years ago I played an Eberle ply and fully carved bass back to back with a Wilfer plywood. The Wilfer smoked them both. I think the Shen 150 I used to own would have smoked the Wilfer.