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Removing vintage Fender Precision neck

Discussion in 'Hardware, Setup & Repair [BG]' started by operagost, Jun 26, 2019.

  1. Jun 26, 2019 #1
    operagost

    operagost

    Dec 13, 2017
    I want to remove the neck from my '70 Precision to confirm the date code. Apprehensive about causing damage, I'd like to know if there's anything I need to know beforehand or add to these steps.

    1. Lie bass on flat surface.
    2. Loosen strings until completely slack.
    3. Remove four bolts from neck plate.

    Is it really that easy? Do I need to do anything with the truss rod?
     
  2. Jun 26, 2019 #2
    bass40hz

    bass40hz Cigar smoker, scotch drinker, American Patriot Supporting Member

    Aug 13, 2014
    Richlands, NC
    Nope, but I am not an expert.
    Rock on.
     
  3. Jun 26, 2019 #3
    operagost

    operagost

    Dec 13, 2017
    I should have read this thread first:

    Neck Removal

    Thanks!
     
  4. Jun 26, 2019 #4
    guts

    guts

    Aug 13, 2018
    Also make sure to set the bass on a soft surface that won't scratch it, just in case since you didn't mention it.

    And when you put the screws back into the neck make sure to find the threads that are already cut into the wood with the screw so that you're not cutting new threads into the neck. If you do that too many times the screw hole gets chewed up and won't hold a screw anymore, then it has to be filled and redrilled.
     
    RSBBass likes this.
  5. Jun 27, 2019 #5
    BLDavis

    BLDavis May the Tort be with you.

    May 21, 2009
    Ellenboro, NC
    Don't use a powered drill or screwdriver of any kind. Use a #3 Phillips screwdriver. Go slow and careful. It's screws in wood, not rocket science. Just take your time. Send pix when you get the neck off.
    B.
     
  6. Jun 27, 2019 #6
    AGCurry

    AGCurry Supporting Member

    Jun 29, 2005
    St. Louis
    The steps you list are all you need to do.

    Putting the neck on is a little more involved in that you need to take care that the neck is straight north to south.
     
  7. Jun 30, 2019 #7
    operagost

    operagost

    Dec 13, 2017
    Operation completed successfully. Getting the neck back on straight was easy, because it's a four bolt, no shim, and I made sure to fit each screw into its hole by hand before tightening. It played well when I was done, so all is well. Unfortunately, the refinish job made the numbers hard to read. The best I could do is tell that there are 7 characters, and it looks like the last one is a "B" so that lines up with a 69-71 Fender. Plus, interesting stuff like the initials AM and a funny symbol that looks like a backward Fender "F" in the pocket.
    SANY0059.JPG SANY0061 (2).JPG SANY0064 (2).JPG
     
    Last edited: Jul 1, 2019
    BLDavis likes this.