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Neck pocket gap due to humidity

Discussion in 'Hardware, Setup & Repair [BG]' started by Benjamin666u, Jun 16, 2019.

  1. Jun 16, 2019 #1
    Benjamin666u

    Benjamin666u Commercial User

    Jul 18, 2018
    I'd received a hand-made vintage bass recently from a reputatble builder in other country. first when it arrived, i saw the neck pocket gaps and the builder claim it might due to the high humidity exposure during shipment, which cause the body to swell.

    i sent it back to change another body. this time they claimed its perfectly fitted while sending out. but when i got it, i still saw gaps between neck and body (arround 1-2mm). the gaps make me feel bad....so i was wondering how could i get rid of them.

    one way i come up with is to dry the body ( exposed to low humidity..slighly heat it up??) to see if the body shrinks back to the original size...

    did anyone got this experiences??
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Jun 16, 2019
  2. Jun 16, 2019 #2
    RattleSnack

    RattleSnack

    Sep 22, 2011
    Europe
    That makes no sense. I don't think body can change size that much in a day or two.
     
  3. Jun 16, 2019 #3
    Benjamin666u

    Benjamin666u Commercial User

    Jul 18, 2018
    Sorry for not made it clear..bass was shipped from other country, maybe the shipment was around 4 days(??)

    Haha..
     
  4. Jun 16, 2019 #4
    mdogs

    mdogs Supporting Member

    Apr 13, 2010
    Where would you like me to be?
    I think the builder is high! High humidity will cause the wood to swell, not shrink which would make the gap smaller. Tell him to build a bass with a smaller neck pocket. Having said that though, this is not a serious issue.
     
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  5. Jun 16, 2019 #5
    CharlieB

    CharlieB

    Jun 15, 2019
    I wouldn't let that totally bother me. Some of the Fender basses (and guitars) are similarly fit.

    Higher humidity will swell the wood in all directions, making the neck swell, the body swell... and you'll have a tighter fit. This is simply a case of being fit to not the very highest degree of precision.
     
  6. Jun 16, 2019 #6
    buldog5151bass

    buldog5151bass Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.

    Oct 22, 2003
    Connecticut
    There is no way there could be that much shrinkage. That's what his patterns are.
     
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  7. Jun 16, 2019 #7
    gln1955

    gln1955 Supporting Member

    Aug 25, 2014
    Ohio, USA
    Yes. Both the neck wood and body wood would swell a little with very high humidity. If the neck were "perfectly fitted" it might be hard to remove the neck in a high humidity environment.
     
  8. Jun 16, 2019 #8
    Zooberwerx

    Zooberwerx Gold Supporting Member

    Dec 21, 2002
    Virginia Beach, VA
    Negative. What you're seeing is pretty much the orientation between the neck and body and falls in line with other bolt-on configurations. It appears the pickguard butts up against the neck.

    May we have a shot of the front, please? I'm curious about the neck / body / string alignment.

    Riis
     
  9. Jun 16, 2019 #9
    Benjamin666u

    Benjamin666u Commercial User

    Jul 18, 2018
    Here we go.
     

    Attached Files:

    Zooberwerx likes this.
  10. Jun 16, 2019 #10
    Goatrope

    Goatrope

    Nov 18, 2011
    Sarasota Florida
    Sorry. What you’ve been told about the humidity causing this gap is an error. The second attempt makes it clear that the builder has a lower set of standards for what constitutes reasonably good quality.

    I hope you get this sorted out. Best to get a discount or a refund.
     
  11. Jun 16, 2019 #11
    JRA

    JRA my words = opinion Gold Supporting Member

    Oct 28, 2013
    Indianapolis and Cincinnati
    i wouldn't even let it partially bother me!

    does the damn thing play? :D
     
  12. Jun 16, 2019 #12
    Zooberwerx

    Zooberwerx Gold Supporting Member

    Dec 21, 2002
    Virginia Beach, VA
    Thank you. I'll assume you're happy with the string orientation in regards to the fingerboard? One bright note: I doubt you'll have to worry about the finish cracking at the shoulder adjacent to the neck pocket.

    One suggestion...and this is your call..would be to slacken the strings, loosen the neck bolts, and gently pull the neck towards the left. It may minimize the gap but the pickguard placement doesn't give us much real estate. It may just be an exercise in futility.

    Riis