Neck pocket depth ?

[Boogiedude69]

Hello again fellow bass builders, I've just made my neck template, happy with the design, is the neck pocket deep enough ? I can't take the neck back any more.
What are your thoughts. I don't want to do a new body template if I can help it.
Thanks, jeff.

 

[T_Bone_TL]

Most would interpret what you are apparently asking about as pocket length. It strikes my gut as a bit skimpy, but I don't claim to be anybody's expert on that detail. I suspect it strikes your gut similarly or you wouldn't be asking.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Yeah, that looks a little short. Can you move the neck (and bridge) back farther? Or increase number of frets to lengthen neck? A lot of newer basss are 5 bolt now.

 

[T_Bone_TL]

Or put a bulge/tongue of body out under the neck heel - If you don't want to do a new template you might put "stops" on this one and switch to a template made just to do the middle third of the body - draw on it from this template and then modify to add neck support before cutting that one. Give yourself some alignment points between the two.

 

[Boogiedude69]

Most would interpret what you are apparently asking about as pocket length. It strikes my gut as a bit skimpy, but I don't claim to be anybody's expert on that detail. I suspect it strikes your gut similarly or you wouldn't be asking.

Yes, pocket length. If I make the neck 24 frets, it solves my problem.

 

[Boogiedude69]

Or put a bulge/tongue of body out under the neck heel - If you don't want to do a new template you might put "stops" on this one and switch to a template made just to do the middle third of the body - draw on it from this template and then modify to add neck support before cutting that one. Give yourself some alignment points between the two.

I've decided on 24 frets now, gives me more to work with, thanks.

 

[Boogiedude69]

Thanks for the replies, going for 24 frets now.
Jeff.

 

[Beej]

Sometimes I'll just make the end of the neck a little longer past the last fret - I know you're doing 24 frets now which solves it, but this could come up again. Here's an example that is also 24 frets, but had a smaller length pocket location:
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[idoker]

Sometimes I'll just make the end of the neck a little longer past the last fret - I know you're doing 24 frets now which solves it, but this could come up again. Here's an example that is also 24 frets, but had a smaller length pocket location:
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Just curious... What's the Brand/Model of that bass? Thanks!

 

[Slidlow]

Just curious... What's the Brand/Model of that bass? Thanks!

It’s a Beej custom

 

[Beej]

Just curious... What's the Brand/Model of that bass? Thanks!

Build thread is here:
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/wi...bass-to-replace-the-best-bass-for-me.1633663/

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Pocket Looks good with 24, I rarely use all 24, but nice to have the option. You might even be able to sneak a 5th bolt in. Using machine threaded inserts for the bolts?

 

[ctmullins]

I endorse and also use @Beej ’s advice. I’ll do anything to avoid an obtrusive neck heel.

Four screws is plenty. Even three is usually plenty. I also endorse and always employ threaded inserts and machine screws.

 

[fatmarris]

So just trying to learn a little by asking this question but what problem is this all solving? Will there be tuning instabilities if the pocket length is too short? What problems would happen if it was too short?

This seems to be about 2in (maybe a little less) on the lower horn which doesn’t seem crazy is there something I’m missing?

 

[T_Bone_TL]

Folds while tuning to pitch, in the illustrative (to think about but not to build) absurdly short case. Forces on the wood holding what few fasteners you can fit in the short joint exceed the strength of the wood, it ruptures, hilarity ensues. Remember to be recording video.

Failure at some later point is a concern in the "not quite as absurd" case.

The neck is a lever, the strings pull on it from the nut end, and the less neck length you have attached at the heel, the greater the leverage trying to rip fasteners out of the neck or body.

 

[fatmarris]

Well totally but if you can fit a standard 4 bolt plate with around 1/16th or so around the plate that’s plenty right? That would make sense to me at least.. obviously it’s a lever and tension puts loads of stress on that particular joint so the more secure the better I don’t at all dispute that I guess just trying to figure out if there’s anything else I’m not thinking of

But looking at his design I would assume he’s using ferrules and maybe there wasn’t originally enough where the pocket rolls off on that lower side..

Thank T Bone!