New Bass or new neck? BOTH! New bass to play, new neck to play with the old guitar and learn how to set it up.
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New bass or New neck- what would you do?
- Thread starter MrSidecar
- Start date
I support this decision. Basically what I would have done!
(New bass AND try to fix, one way or another.)those Squiers are sweet!
Its also fun and rewarding to try and fix up basses. Doesn’t always work out, which is exactly why I’d have a new bass to replace it. Unless of course you already have a backup. Then it’s just GAS- which is cool too!
But whatever happens with the ESP you’ll learn something in the process
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Yes, don't forget the third option: Repairing the current neck. That's not necessarily very difficult or expensive. The main thing is whether you can find a Luthier who will repair it who is nearby. Otherwise the shipping may be more expensive than the repair.
I’ve been in the same situation as you a few times and have gone the replacement Warmoth route with great results. The replacements are really high quality and with the double truss rod, super sturdy .
My current number one and two (both fretless are a Warmoth neck on a jazz body).
I’ve also played usagc necks which are great as replacements .
Best of luck
Pbass888
My current number one and two (both fretless are a Warmoth neck on a jazz body).
I’ve also played usagc necks which are great as replacements .
Best of luck
Pbass888
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If you are looking for and ESP on that budget I would either wait and save a bit for a new one, or try to find a used Surveyor ‘87…
I have an AP-4, but kinda wished I had gotten a Surveyor instead…
I wanted EMGs and they have Seymour Duncans in that model, but in retrospect I probably should have bought a Surveyor and swapped the pickups…
I love my Fender P, but curious if I would have bought it had I started w the Surveyor…
That kind of scratch should allow you to land either a decent new ESP/LTD, Schecter, Ibanez, or a Squier.
I like the aesthetics of the CV 70s series by Squier and most of the Squiers in your range should do the job…
Best of luck to you whatever you decide…
Thanks! \m/
I have a 1975 les Paul custom that had a neck twist that was so bad it wouldn’t intonate. I was on tour (in dc st the time) and the (reputable) shop I took it to said the neck needed replacing. They quoted me $900 and 3 months lead time.
I brought the guitar back home to Los Angeles to let my usual repair guy have a look at it before doing something so drastic as a neck replacement.
he told me over the phone “I can’t promise anything until I see the guitar in person but I’ve never seen a guitar that needed the neck replaced unless it had been run over by a truck”
He straightened the neck and refretted it for me in less than 2 weeks for $295.
That was 21 years ago so I suspect prices would have gone up by now, but I’d suggest finding a good repair guy.
They are worth their weight in gold!
of course, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with owning 2 basses!
I brought the guitar back home to Los Angeles to let my usual repair guy have a look at it before doing something so drastic as a neck replacement.
he told me over the phone “I can’t promise anything until I see the guitar in person but I’ve never seen a guitar that needed the neck replaced unless it had been run over by a truck”
He straightened the neck and refretted it for me in less than 2 weeks for $295.
That was 21 years ago so I suspect prices would have gone up by now, but I’d suggest finding a good repair guy.
They are worth their weight in gold!
of course, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with owning 2 basses!
I didn’t see here any further details about the neck on your ESP.I had an experience in 2003,with my (RIP) 78’ Precison Bass,and got some excellent advice.Which was to get a second opinion from the most reputable and experienced electric bass specialist I could find.After I spoke to a few within a reasonable distance I waited for saturday morning and drive the bass 175 miles.He said yeah it’s got “a little rise here” and quoted me 250-300.3 frets were replaced and the rest crowned and leveled and a set-up w/ new strings in a few hours $260.00 that guy put the majic hands on my bass.I couldn’t get over how it played and sounded.It was a dairy farm of thumpy bouncy smooth buttery awesomeness...
I hope whatever you decide works out in the end.We all need to own 14-50 basses minimum.So do all you can to save that sweet vintage ESP.
cheers
I hope whatever you decide works out in the end.We all need to own 14-50 basses minimum.So do all you can to save that sweet vintage ESP.
cheers
lol You got in there right before me with a such a similar story (a bit better too I have to admit) Well,enjoy your victory@never-enougha most honorable display of skill.
I’m wondering now why this post isn’t in the Luthiers Corner forums??
hey brother I’m just glad to hear your own success story! I think it’s always worth fixing what we have, provided we have the means.
And I actually left out the “best” part of my story… the guitar in question was a gift from dave grohl… but this isn’t my thread and I’m really just trying to be helpful
Regardless….It is a really great guitar and I honestly feel blessed to have such a great repair guy… I’ve been using him for 28 years, which means I really ought to be a better player by now, ouch
My #1 is an early ESP PJ body with a highway one neck. Those new roasted Fender necks look pretty nice and plug and play.
He's buying the CV, but here at Talkbass we can expect another dozen or two..."Have you considered Necks-R-Us" or "I'm going to suggest you buy an Ibanez Gio LMNOP400" replies.
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He's buying the CV, but here at Talkbass we can expect another dozen or two..."Have you considered Necks-R-Us" or "I'm going to suggest you buy an Ibanez Gio LMNOP400" replies.
That Ibanez LMNOP400 model is a big step up from the XYZPDQ$399.95 ones they had out last year. I'd go with that.
Seriously, you'd think the they could come up with a better name than this.
Ibanez Gio GSR206BWNF
I feel exactly the same.And hope the OP received ours or any similar input.I also would like to add.That reply took me over an hour to post (lock up screen wifi down eyes getting sore poor typing editing lol) and you had me covered saving that sweet LP Custom.I guess i’m a sentimental old dude.Here’s what I mean my man.This is Gibson....
My babies are all named Gibson lol
Hey everyone
thanks again for the discussion, great read.
status after visiting my highly-trusted luthier:
He’s the one who gets my money. New frets, necks gets straightened, bass will be great. He said “If you afterwards don’t think it’s worth the money, I’ll have to work until you’re happy.”
He also said that a new neck bears a significant risk of hidden cost even though it fits. Once you ship a neck from somewhere overseas to hereabouts, the first thing it’ll do is settle in on the climate. That most likely will require the cost of a luthier afterwards on top of the purchase price. And I remember I had at least one friend with exactly that experience.
Factor in that given the choice of used vs new, all things equal I’ll always prefer used, there’s my solution.
A week from now, we all will know if I was stupid.
best
Sidecar
thanks again for the discussion, great read.
status after visiting my highly-trusted luthier:
He’s the one who gets my money. New frets, necks gets straightened, bass will be great. He said “If you afterwards don’t think it’s worth the money, I’ll have to work until you’re happy.”
He also said that a new neck bears a significant risk of hidden cost even though it fits. Once you ship a neck from somewhere overseas to hereabouts, the first thing it’ll do is settle in on the climate. That most likely will require the cost of a luthier afterwards on top of the purchase price. And I remember I had at least one friend with exactly that experience.
Factor in that given the choice of used vs new, all things equal I’ll always prefer used, there’s my solution.
A week from now, we all will know if I was stupid.
best
Sidecar
I think you made a great decision and I expect that you are going to be very happy when you get it back
It will be like a new instrument that you have known for years.
Let us know your thoughts when you pick it up!
I personally like the rebuild theory, especiallyasit'sarare bird...if you have other basses to use in the meantime, that can buy you some tinker-time.
