Neck Pocket

[Basso54]

Hi guys, I'm in need of some guidance. I've got a Jazz body I'm working on as my first refinish. I plan on using a standard fender neck in this bass. The problem I've run into is that the neck pocket is 7/8" deep and standard Fender is 5/8". I'm trying to figure out the best wood to fill the pocket with. My dad is telling me just go with some plywood. The bass was sold to me as an Ash body, but after stripping the finish it is clearly not all Ash. Looks like Ply with an Ash veneer. I'm also going to be doing my first repaint on this so I want to try and do this as quality as I can. Thanks for all the help.

Billy

 

[tjclem]

anything but plywood

 

[grisezd]

If you had access to really nice plywood, maybe, but I'd go with some of whatever Home Depot sells as hardwood. My local store had poplar (I think) in 1/4 inch, it's easy to work, cheap, and of uniform density.

Check the rest of the neck pocket dimensions before you spend much time, though.

 

[line6man]

anything but plywood

Definitely not plywood!

I'm no luthier, but it seems like you would want something that would provide an excellent transfer of energy from neck to body, and also be resistant to compression. Anything hard and resonant should work fine.

 

[Basso54]

That was my thinking on the plywood, I told Pop he was nuts. I'm making a trip into Amarillo tomorrow, so I'll check there.