Problem Neck on a MIM Jazz

[Mr. Chuffey]

I recently bought a MIM 2005 Jazz. For years I only played standup, but recently went back to my Precision. But I missed the Jazz bass I had years ago, and sold off. So when I found this Jazz, I was tempted. I really liked the tone and feel of the instrument, and didn't really spend a lot of time checking out the neck, it just played fine. I'm the singer in our band (Rock, Rockabilly & Country), and I keep my playing real simple, and rarely go up beyond the 7th fret or so. I'm not a freak for low action, so the bow in the neck didn't really bother me. But now, being the compulsive, picky old s.o.b. that I am, I'd like fix that neck. The bow on the treble side is huge. I've tightened the nut to the point that the bass side is almost perfectly flat, but the bow on the treble side is still big. Is there anything to be done, and is it even worth it? I didn't pay much for the bass at all, got it off Craigs List. Not sure it's worth paying a big repair bill. Maybe just dump it, and look for something else? Fender sells new necks, but for $250 how would I know if I'm not going to run into the same problema? I'm pretty much limited here to buying stuff online - it's rare to find anything interesting at the local Guitar Center. And the few remaining guitar stores have pretty limited inventory.

 

[Lesfunk]

I would look into buying a mighty mite neck for about 150 bucks. They are about equal in Quality to a standard import fender neck..
You save money by not paying for that logo on the headstock

originally Leo made bolt on necks for this very reason. Cheaper production cost, and easy replacement when, not if ,they wear out or fail

There are always necks that pop up here in the classifieds also.

 

[Mr. Chuffey]

For most people selling a neck in a classified ad, wouldn't it be because there was something wrong with it?

 

[Lesfunk]

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/acc...ple-fingerboard?rNtt=Mighty mite neck&index=9

 

[LoveThatBass]

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/mighty-mite-mm2909-jazz-bass-replacement-neck-with-maple-fingerboard?rNtt=Mighty mite neck&index=9

Yeah, I suggest you get this neck or another. Don't waist your time and money trying to fix that neck. It would be more problems than it is worth if it even can be fixed which I doubt. BTW: Always look a bass over well paying attention to looking down the neck from the headstock end to see if you see any issues out of the ordinary.

 

[Camaro69]

For most people selling a neck in a classified ad, wouldn't it be because there was something wrong with it?

Not necessarily. Some guys part stuff out, either to keep certain parts, or make more $ by splitting it

 

[Matt Liebenau]

It sounds like there’s a twist in the neck. If you’re not looking to do the repairs yourself then a new neck is probably cheaper then the repair cost. However, there will be some costs or work associated with a new neck. A minimum of drilling the pilot holes for the screws and a set up. Possibly drilling the tuner mounting screw pilot holes and transferring the tuning keys. Adjusting the nut and, depending on the neck and where it is from, some fret leveling and/or dressing.

You could contact warpedneck.com and see if they can repair twists. There have been several good reports about their services.

 

[Leif Dering]

Buying specifically a fender neck might be more expensive than the repair, and the repair would probably be more expensive than getting a neck that's just as good without the Fender headstock.

All depends on what's worth it to you.

 

[Lesfunk]

I’ve sold four necks in the classified
Not one of them had anything wrong with it

 

[Mr. Chuffey]

Yeah, I suggest you get this neck or another. Don't waist your time and money trying to fix that neck. It would be more problems than it is worth if it even can be fixed which I doubt. BTW: Always look a bass over well paying attention to looking down the neck from the headstock end to see if you see any issues out of the ordinary.

I knew somebody was going to scold me for not checking out the neck more carefully when I bought it. But my excuse is that I met the guy on a cold windy parking lot, and I thought whatever bow there would be in the neck could be fixed by a truss rod tightening. I'm used to that. And I didn't think it would matter much either way. I just checked out the pickups with my headphone amp, looked it all over for damages, gave the guy $400, and we went our separate ways. And like I say, I'm not a freak for low action, and the relief doesn't really come into play until you get up above the 6th or 7th fret. I'm just the fussy type.

 

[Turnaround]

Regardless of whether the neck conforms to an ideal or not, if it works for you it's fine. When it impedes your ability to make music is the time to take corrective action.

 

[LoveThatBass]

I knew somebody was going to scold me for not checking out the neck more carefully when I bought it. But my excuse is that I met the guy on a cold windy parking lot, and I thought whatever bow there would be in the neck could be fixed by a truss rod tightening. I'm used to that. And I didn't think it would matter much either way. I just checked out the pickups with my headphone amp, looked it all over for damages, gave the guy $400, and we went our separate ways. And like I say, I'm not a freak for low action, and the relief doesn't really come into play until you get up above the 6th or 7th fret. I'm just the fussy type.

My first Bass was a used 1964 Fender Precision I bought used at a pawn shop in 1974 to play in a band. It had a twisted neck like yours but played ok. I didn’t notice it. A friend did. I viewed it as an old used crappy bass and let it go after band disbanded. How stupid I was. What would it be worth today had I kept it and possibly straightened it somehow. we all make mistakes. No big deal!

 

[Mr. Chuffey]

I sent the neck to www.WarpedNeck.com. The guy there told me that it was the worst warped neck he'd ever seen! What an honor for me. Anyway, he said the neck wasn't twisted, and he could fix the warp. I'm a little bit skeptical, but I'll just have to see. I once bought a G&L guitar brand new, and I couldn't get the strings to a reasonable height. The factory had me take it to a luthier, and he put the neck in a press, and also plek'd it. Didn't work. Their rep happened by the luthier, and he saw it, and just had the luthier send it back to the factory. They put a new neck on, and it was ok. So I'm a little bit thinking that whatever the straightening process would be done on this neck, it will return to it's original state over time. But we'll see. I'll post further results.

 

[Turnaround]

So I'm a little bit thinking that whatever the straightening process would be done on this neck, it will return to it's original state over time. But we'll see. I'll post further results.

Not necessarily. The neck may have become overbowed because it was nelected. It's important to adjust a neck as necessary to keep it in line. If left unchecked for an extended period of time it may well develop a set. So keep it well adjusted when you get it back.