Slight Neck Shift on New Sandberg – Normal?"

[salleeshi1]

Hi everyone,


I recently got a Sandberg bass that I ordered from Thomann. It’s a bolt-on neck model, and I’ve noticed that the neck seems to be slightly shifted to one side in the pocket.


You can see in the attached photo that one side of the neck sticks out quite a bit — much more than what I’ve seen on other bolt-on basses I own, including cheaper ones, which usually have a tight and centered fit.


Has anyone else experienced this kind of neck misalignment on a Sandberg or other high-end bolt-on bass?
Is this considered within normal tolerance for bolt-on construction, or does it indicate a problem that needs correcting?


I’d really appreciate any thoughts or advice — especially if this is something that can (or should) be adjusted manually, or if it's worth contacting Sandberg directly.


Thanks in advance!

 

[MonetBass]

This is not uncommon with bolt-on necks. Loosen the neck screws, gently pull the neck towards the bass (E string) side, then tighten the neck screws. If there's not enough play in the neck pocket to do that, I'd contact Sandberg about it.

 

[GroovyBaby]

I can only see one side clearly. I think I'd be more concerned if the other side showed a gap between the neck and the body AND if the strings were clearly off center. I have three Sandbergs and none have the neck hanging over like that (just checked).

 

[Achtelbeat]

Loosen strings until they just still stay in place, loosen bolts and align neck until the strings run symmetrical over the fretboard.
Done this on my VM4 after shipment from France to Germany.
Things happen. As @MonetBass wrote, not uncommon.
On other Sandbergs I used to have, the alignment of the neck was fine.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

likely caused during shipping. worst case scenario is you bring it to your luthier. this type of fix would not be expensive

 

[MtManiac]

If it were a Fender, people would be telling you to return it immediately, and railing against their recent sharp decline in QC.

But yeah, loosen the bolts a bit, shift the neck, then tighten the bolts.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Really need to see more pics front & back. Yes, I've seen this before BUT, if everything else is properly aligned, I'd leave it alone. Neck / body alignment has become a component of a normal set-up IME....it's discussed to a greater extent in other threads.

Riis

 

[Five or Six]

That's always part of my setup. I check neck screws. Things may shift during shipping or just need to be snugged up after coming through climate changes. Good thing to remember. Loosen neck after string let-down like said, and adjust.

 

[Gervais Cote]

Please send us a picture from the front in order we can see if the strings are aligned or not.

If they are, just leave it alone.

 

[Jeff Hughes]

Look at it from the fingerboard side to see if one side seems to be too close to the edge. Not every company has a rigorous neck fitting process. Most 4 bolt necks can be loosened and yanked around the cavity, but six bolts might present some challenges.