/ Register

Reattaching the neck after shipping?

Discussion in 'Luthier's Corner' started by boogiedee, Jul 29, 2009.

  1. Jul 29, 2009 #1
    boogiedee

    boogiedee

    May 16, 2007
    Copenhagen, Denmark
    Hi.

    I am to receive a bass (a Lakeland DJ5) shipped from US to Europe in the next few days, and to reduce shipping costs the seller and I agreed upon detaching the neck and body and ship the bass in two parts - a lot cheaper that way.

    But that do I have to be aware of when reattaching the neck?
    The seller has recommended that I sand the neck pocket with very fine sandpaper, makes sense to me...

    But how tight must I tighten the screws holding the neck, and in any particulate order?!?

    I know I should get professional help (with the bass!) but money is tight these days, so if I could do it myself...

    As you properly can tell; I have no experience in instrument building though I know my way around the toolbox, so any help to ensure a proper reattachment would be much appreciated.

    Cheers,
    boogiedee
     
  2. Jul 29, 2009 #2
    megadan

    megadan

    Jun 10, 2006
    Halifax, Nova Scotia
    Assuming it's a standard 4 bolt neck with a plate:
    -seat the neck firmly in the pocket. Make sure it's tight and there are no gaps. I wouldn't sandpaper until you've tried it first and notice bumps or issues.
    -once it's in place lay the bass on it's front, keeping the neck firmly seated. Put the plate on top and slip the 4 bolts into the holes.
    -Finger tighten each bolt
    -Tighten with a proper sized allen key or screwdriver, I generally just tighten each one a little more until they are snug, then give them a final tighten all around, not too tight to strip them.

    It's pretty easy, if you can change a tire, you can attach a neck! Heck even if you can't, it's not that hard. Just give it a try and you should have no problems.
     
  3. Jul 29, 2009 #3
    F-Clef-Jef

    F-Clef-Jef

    Nov 13, 2006
    Neenah, WI
    The neck may need to drop in from the front of the body rather than slide in from the end. The neck / pocket might have a very slight taper to it. I'm not sure if Lakland does this, but many other manufacturers do.
    Anybody?
     
  4. Jul 29, 2009 #4
    Eight_Stringer

    Eight_Stringer

    Feb 22, 2009
    Australia
    Just had 3 Ibanez basses ship here with necks detached. SR300,705,706. The 706 and 705 had 2 different length ( shorter ) fastners for the front ( closest to the machine head ) and the SR300F had only one about 1/16th inch shorter than the other three ( lower left as you look from the fastner side ). Mention this as know nothing about the Lakland, though have a great fear of rupturing timber faces with protruding incorrect fastners.

    Take your time putting it back together and do not be too quick to assess the setup of the neck/body/string interaction, wait a few days for all the parts to settle again then assess the setup for your playing technique. The SR300F move(d) noticably over a week.

    Enjoy your new bass! Regards.