Small knot in bass neck - OK or avoid?

[Jhass]

I found a listing for a NOS (2021) Sandberg that looks like a good price, and the bass is lovely. I noticed a small “spot” on the back of the neck in one of the photos, and messaged the seller about it. He was nice enough to send some close-up photos. It looks like a small knot in an otherwise straight-grained quartersawn neck.

Is a knot like this problematic, or just cosmetic? I don’t need another bass, so if there is even a small concern I will pass on it. Thanks!

 

[eddybuzzard]

If the sight of that knot doesn't bother you, I'd say go for it, it's totally superficial,
and perhaps, hence the perceived good price.
Communicate your concern, and maybe they'll go a little lower.
Kind of a cool birth mark, ain't it.

EDIT-Heck, it's on the bottom, you'd probably not even see it while playing

 

[BGroovy]

if you don't need another bass and this stands out to you, use it as an excuse to pass and wait on the next one. Used gear is moving SLOW right now, it's pretty much a buyer's market across the board.

Is it anything of concern? nah.

 

[Killing Floor]

I think that wood came from a tree.

If you've never been to a working tree factory, don't go. They're filthy. Bird poop and bugs everywhere and they have dirt floors.

 

[Jhass]

If the sight of that knot doesn't bother you, I'd say go for it, it's totally superficial,
and perhaps, hence the perceived good price.
Communicate your concern, and maybe they'll go a little lower.
Kind of a cool birth mark, ain't it.

I may do that.

 

[Jhass]

if you don't need another bass and this stands out to you, use it as an excuse to pass and wait on the next one. Used gear is moving SLOW right now, it's pretty much a buyer's market across the board.

Is it anything of concern? nah.

Thanks.

 

[Jhass]

I think that wood came from a tree.

If you've never been to a working tree factory, don't go. They're filthy. Bird poop and bugs everywhere and they have dirt floors.

I’ve just never seen a neck with a knot in it, that’s all. If it is merely cosmetic, it doesn’t bother me. But since I’m not a luthier, I figured I’d come here for some expert advice.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

Ok, I'm not an expert, but I assume you need some kind of homogeneity on the wood, so the whole neck acts same as a unit and a knot will change that in a negative way to a degree. To what degree, I have no idea. I know wood is not homogeneous to start with, but finding one without a knot be your best bet. That being said, I have a bass with a knot on the neck and I have no side effects.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

No shortage of used basses, move along. That never should have gotten past a QC inspection. What else did they miss/ignore?

 

[eddybuzzard]

I’ve just never seen a neck with a knot in it, that’s all. If it is merely cosmetic, it doesn’t bother me. But since I’m not a luthier, I figured I’d come here for some expert advice.

Pin knots are harmless, but can be visually upsetting to some folks.
If it were a painted neck, it would bother nobody...unless of course, they disliked painted necks too

 

[moon-bass]

Absolutely not an issue, except if it bother you visually.

 

[Jhass]

No shortage of used basses, move along. That never should have gotten past a QC inspection. What else did they miss/ignore?

Thanks. It’s actually NOS but your point is well taken.

 

[GroovinOnFunk]

Ok, I'm not an expert, but I assume you need some kind of homogeneity on the wood, so the whole neck acts same as a unit and a knot will change that in a negative way to a degree. To what degree, I have no idea. I know wood is not homogeneous to start with, but finding one without a knot be your best bet. That being said, I have a bass with a knot on the neck and I have no side effects.

Bad assumption.

That knot is 100% superficial and has zero impact on the neck in any way.

No shortage of used basses, move along. That never should have gotten past a QC inspection. What else did they miss/ignore?

It passed QC because it's not a quality issue.

TB: "prices keep going up! This is crazy"
Also TB: "how did this perfectly functional and structurally sound piece of wood make it through QC!?!? The BACK of the neck isn't aesthetically perfect! Trash the entire bass!"

 

[graphics1988]

I actually LOOK for personalized oddities like this…it’s awesome. If it doesn’t have character, I pass on it. Enjoy the bass and play the sKNOT out of it

 

[Frampton]

I found a listing for a NOS (2021) Sandberg that looks like a good price, and the bass is lovely. I noticed a small “spot” on the back of the neck in one of the photos, and messaged the seller about it. He was nice enough to send some close-up photos. It looks like a small knot in an otherwise straight-grained quartersawn neck.

Is a knot like this problematic, or just cosmetic? I don’t need another bass, so if there is even a small concern I will pass on it. Thanks!

The knot won't affect performance. That is not considered a defect, and Sandberg QC is top-notch.

 

[VeryTallBassist]

Think of it as one big birdseye in your maple neck

 

[DanAdams]

The responses to this post have made the knot on my cheap-butt Glarry seem less significant. Thanks folks!
It also might support the QC point... It's good enough for a Glarry
I've got a dozen basses, only the Glarry has a knot like that. But I agree about it's significance being trivial.

Why does the knot aesthetic seem to visually extend into the next board of the laminate? was some knot dust/sap dragged there from sanding?

 

[eddybuzzard]

The responses to this post have made the knot on my cheap-butt Glarry seem less significant. Thanks folks!
It also might support the QC point... It's good enough for a Glarry

Why does the knot aesthetic seem to visually extend into the next board of the laminate? was some knot dust/sap dragged there from sanding?

View attachment 7108874

It's twig blood

 

[Mastiff_5]

Oh my goodness. This is ridiculous. Just get a good massage for a couple weeks in a row, it will work the knot out of your neck no problem. People do it all the time.

 

[Topkat13]

Hmmm…knot something to be concerned about.