Should this bother me?

[steveinohio]

Issues like this are why 70s Fenders have not always had the best reputation. No doubt there are plenty of flawless ones. There's also plenty that are less than ideal.

It's fine. Play it. Stop worrying. Enjoy it. It looks sweet.

 

[sunbeast]

Yeah you can't move it, just seems odd that a reputable builder such as Fender would let this one slide (it sounds and plays great in my opinion). What else about it seems off to you? You might know something i don't

70s Fender production was all about popping out parts and throwing them together to get them out the door as quick as possible. Tighter build tolerances between parts would mean some necks and bodies might not fit together correctly, which would waste time and time is money. Couple that with the fact that different wood shrinks at different rates over the years.
Does this bass have the 3-bolt neck-plate and neck-tilt adjustment? Most likely you can loosen the bolts and straighten the neck to a degree then retighten which will share the gap between the two sides and make it look less extreme (I know a lot of people will just snug a Fender neck up against the top edge of the pocket as it seems more solid but this will often screw up the string alignment as well)

 

[sawzalot]

Well, the bass is clearly a piece of crap and it obviously is an issue for you, so just go ahead and send it to me so it doesn't bother you any more.

 

[Komadinic]

70s Fender production was all about popping out parts and throwing them together to get them out the door as quick as possible. Tighter build tolerances between parts would mean some necks and bodies might not fit together correctly, which would waste time and time is money. Couple that with the fact that different wood shrinks at different rates over the years.
Does this bass have the 3-bolt neck-plate and neck-tilt adjustment? Most likely you can loosen the bolts and straighten the neck to a degree then retighten which will share the gap between the two sides and make it look less extreme (I know a lot of people will just snug a Fender neck up against the top edge of the pocket as it seems more solid but this will often screw up the string alignment as well)

I hear ya but I don't want to do that cause the strings are aligned perfectly as it is and i just paid someone to deal with this. Its a 72 so it's 4 bolts on this one, thanks for responding i agree with everything you stated.

 

[Komadinic]

Well, the bass is clearly a piece of crap and it obviously is an issue for you, so just go ahead and send it to me so it doesn't bother you any more.

Just went to a stand-up comedy show last night, had i known how many funny lads were at TB I'd save my money and just browse here.

 

[sunbeast]

I hear ya but I don't want to do that cause the strings are aligned perfectly as it is and i just paid someone to deal with this. Its a 72 so it's 4 bolts on this one, thanks for responding i agree with everything you stated.

Well I say if it plays and sounds good don’t stress on it unless you feel ripped off somehow. Rock it!

 

[Hurricane Jimmie]

So Anyway, if it 'sounds and plays nice', then you should just enjoy your very fine bass.
That 'gap' is part of its character, so don't mess with it.
Good Luck to you.

 

[sonic 7]

I have a Fender Jazz from that era. The neck would constantly shift to the treble side, so much so that the G string was barely over the fretboard. I put a piece of fine sanding screen into the neck pocket, kind of like a shim. That was years ago and it hasn’t budged since. It’s a great sounding bass. If your neck isn’t shifting in the neck pocket there isn’t anything to worry about, that’s just the way they made them, they were probably able to assemble them faster with the neck pockets routed too large for the necks.















neck screws with threaded inserts and machine screws and put a piece of fine sanding screen in the neck pocket, kind of like a shim

 

[Glennbassmann]

Those flat looking frets would bother me more...

 

[THX1138]

I remember hearing if you can fit a business card between the pocket, you may want to adjust the tightness. I think worse case, a proper luthier can shim the neck for a good fit?

 

[Lesfunk]

Yeah you can't move it, just seems odd that a reputable builder such as Fender would let this one slide (it sounds and plays great in my opinion). What else about it seems off to you? You might know something i don't

That’s quite typical of Fenders that were made then.
As far as being reputable, well they certainly did have a reputation then and you’re looking at it

 

[iiipopes]

The '75 J-bass I used to have forty years ago was the same way, and had the over-tightly wound pickups that died as well.

 

[Komadinic]

Those flat looking frets would bother me more...

I hear ya but it sounds great, intonation is spot on and it has no buzz or dead spots, they will survive for now.

 

[gln1955]

The heel of the neck not even close to flush with the edge of the pocket at the bottom edge of the rout in the body is what looks wonky to me....View attachment 4633243

I've never seen anything quite like that. What does the other side look like?

 

[EatS1stBassist]

The two best Fender Precisions I ever owned were a ‘73 and ‘78. When I stupidly sold them (back in the 70’s) the buyers couldn’t wait to scurry off with them. Both were excellent examples of Fender products. I bought them new. I’ve owned over 600 Basses in 55 years and most of those from the golden era, if there is such a thing.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I have a 70s jazz bass i recently got in a trade and it's a pretty great instrument, very worn but sounds and plays nice. I see a huge gap in the neck pocket and it makes me wonder is it something worth worrying about? I don't care about it cosmetically speaking cause the bass itself has been through it but I wouldn't want it to damage the neck somehow.

View attachment 4632888

This was not unusual of the CBS era instrument, especially towards the end of their ownership. Those of us that were there then can attest. Fortunately most of them like this have not survived, but they are out there.

Having been a working musician from that era that actually played and owned Fender musical instruments as well as amps from this era, I truly do not get the attraction. I would be much more comfortable buying a reissue piece of this era and save thousands of dollars in the process.

Keep in mind, buying a late 60s-early 70’s Fender bass is not the same as buying say a Les Paul, which was a truly great high end instrument, from the same era.

 

[coy garcia]

Seems pretty typical of fenders. They sound great and are traditional but of all the basses I've owned and played they are the most poorly constructed... especially in the 70's

 

[Komadinic]

This was not unusual of the CBS era instrument, especially towards the end of their ownership. Those of us that were there then can attest. Fortunately most of them like this have not survived, but they are out there.

Having been a working musician from that era that actually played and owned Fender musical instruments as well as amps from this era, I truly do not get the attraction. I would be much more comfortable buying a reissue piece of this era and save thousands of dollars in the process.

Keep in mind, buying a late 60s-early 70’s Fender bass is not the same as buying say a Les Paul, which was a truly great high end instrument, from the same era.

I'm glad it did survive, it's a great bass even with that imperfection, i understand your POV but I don't think it's that big of a deal. Also Norlin Gibson was not a truly high end instrument from what i know.

 

[arbiterusa]

I see a huge gap in the neck pocket

Well, it's an authentic 70s Fender then.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I'm glad it did survive, it's a great bass even with that imperfection, i understand your POV but I don't think it's that big of a deal. Also Norlin Gibson was not a truly high end instrument from what i know.

Let me rephrase. A Les PauL Custom from that era was a superior instrument compared to what Fender was cranking out.

The fit on this bass in question may or not be an issue. I can’t really tell over the internet. I do know of what I’ve actually had my hand on however. Enjoy it. Have a good one.