Crack in my bass

[Stroud]

Hey guys. Seems like I've got a shed load of problems. Before today I had two broken tweeters and a failing straplock. Wasnt too bothered about these. Woulodnt take toooo much money to fix.

Then today.......just noticed these;







How bad do you reakon it is and how would you reconmned I get it repaired?

[paperbag1213]

uhmm I don't think that it will hurt your bass. But you would have to take it to a woodworker to get it fixed.

[Callum]

Ouch! that doesn't look good. Tbh anywhere else and i wouldn't be too worried but in the neck pocket dunno, i keep thinking of worse case scenarios.

I'd take it to a luither and get it assessed properly. the bass gallery in london are some of the best i've dealt with, if you can make the trip i'd really recommend them, the bass centre is a close second, again in london though.

I know the hassle of getting stuff fixed my SSI has a borked truss that needs replacing, via fretboard removal - £600ish job i'm still saving the cash for it, luckily the neck is stable so the repair job can wait a little bit.

Good luck getting it fixed!

[Doog]

It's hard to tell with all the wax build-up there mate.

[Stroud]

Too much time gigging...not enough time cleaning?

Theres no wax at all inside the crack

[Stroud]

but yes she does need a very good clean

[Doog]

Sorry mate, tried to edit it, but this new forum software is a pain in the ass.

I see 2 cracks actually, 1 running from the neck vertically into the body at about the level of the top front bolt. Then the obvious jagged horizontal crack. I'm wondering if differences in expansion rates between the neck and body caused the vertical crack which might have hit a weaker seam in the wood. I'd be concerned about what's going on behind the neck. There may be a piece of the body trying to remove itself from the rest.

From posts recently there appear to be a LOT of amateur luthiers here, I aint one. Get this to a pro, soon.

[Stroud]

Just taken a look at the bass. Its virtually invisible to the naked eye but yes your right. there IS a second crack

[Stroud]

Im not sure about difference in expansion though. i only say that because the bass has been in perfect condition for over 10 years...

[Doog]

Im not sure about difference in expansion though. i only say that because the bass has been in perfect condition for over 10 years...

I only saw it cause of the wax.

It's subtle, get the bass to a REAL luthier, not the amateur ones here. There is a possibility that the entire piece of wood in the pocket is about to lift.

I'm not generally an alarmist. But in this case....you love this bass mate, do the right thang.

[Stroud]

This guy looks pretty good;

Leicestershire Luthier Guitar Repairer and Technician - Setups Mods Repairs Pickups

[Doog]

Im not sure about difference in expansion though. i only say that because the bass has been in perfect condition for over 10 years...

There's a third crack at the top of the neck pocket. Say no more.

[Stroud]

Where?

[Doog]

could be wax, I see a linear mark at the bottom corner of the top end of the neck pocket.

[distortion]

[Doog]

Thanks mate, I have no idea how to make those circles and such.

[Stroud]

not sure if the marks under the circles on the right and left are cracks. ive already sent an email to a luthier though. i'll see what he says

[Callum]

Left and right are wax built up, i have the same on my basses. I never saw the vertical crack though, sad news indeed.

Keep us posted mate, hope you can get it all sorted!

[distortion]

not sure if the marks under the circles on the right and left are cracks. ive already sent an email to a luthier though. i'll see what he says

Those four spots seemed like they are cracks to me, I'm not saying they are!
I hope that you will fix the bass!!!

[TylerDurdenPSSC]

I stay away from the forum for one day, and this happens!?

(And here, I was thinking of making a Hank Hill / fishing joke.)

Definitely get that looked at man. In fact, I would strip'er down.

(Strings and unbolt the neck.)

[Rano Bass]

That looks bad!
Good luck, hope it gets fixed.

[Rano Bass]

That looks bad!
Good luck, hope it gets fixed.

[Greg]

That'll be an easy fix.Maybe a couple of epoxy rods & she'll be sweet.

[Florin]

I agree that you have to take her to a luthier, but I don't think it will be hard to fix...

[Stroud]

Yeah I've been chatting to a luthier. Small job but something that needs fixing asap due to to damage that moisture will cause.

I have another couple of gigsnext week but after that a free few days. I'll get it to him then

[golem]

Along with the repair, consider a design upgrade
to a less modern approach ... talkin bout a neck
plate. A plate can be fabricated for any pattern
of bolts, and the luthier can plane flat the area
where the plate will fit. Squeezing the body, and
all the repair work, between the neck wood and
a stainless steel plate will reinforce the repair vs
sticking with the more modern 'seperate screws'
style, which will only continue to stress the area.

The most secure design is to employ an overly
long neck plate that extends beyond the neck
pocket to 2 more anchor screws about 2 inches
past the actual neck joint.

[Doog]

You know the ONLY reason I can think of that they did away with the neck plate was 'cause they thought it looked cool. I really see no advantage to losing it.

[Greg]

The neck plate isnt really needed coz of the extremely close tolernces in the neck pocket,which iirc is .10 of a mm.
I'm not certain but basses with neck plates have no metal screw bushes.Is that right?

[I-play-bass]

The neck plate isnt really needed coz of the extremely close tolernces in the neck pocket,which iirc is .10 of a mm.
I'm not certain but basses with neck plates have no metal screw bushes.Is that right?

Yeah it's true.

The plate acts as one large bushing that all screws can divert their stress over, so it's on a much larger surface area that just a single bushing.

[saxonbass]

Too much heavy gigging I suppose... nothing wrong with that!

The pro is the way to go!

[Eberbachl]

Ouch - looks nasty.

Have it sorted by a good luthier, and you'll be back in business in no time.

[iuserneim]

look at this for inspiration ;-)

BAS-EXTRAVAGANZA.NL

[Gerry]

Looks fixable Alex. Good thing it's a bolt-on in the worse case scenario.

[kgm]

I wouldn't worry too much mate - a pretty easy fix - a good luthier can work wonders!

[Doog]

Yeah it's true.

The plate acts as one large bushing that all screws can divert their stress over, so it's on a much larger surface area that just a single bushing.

And, thus, such a crack may not have happened. Course you can't contour the back of the body like you can with the individual washers.

You know the only necks I've ever had issues with on bolt on basses was those that had the individual washers rather than the plate.

[Stroud]

Doog suggested I post the corospondence from the luthier I'll be using;

-------------------

Hi Alex

A quite common kind of problem and sorted quite easily. The important thing is that understand that these cracks are letting in moisture and this will cause more problems.

I keep a stock of a special industrial, ultra thin, high wetting glue for this type of job. I had a much worse problem on a Wal Bass in 2007- quickly sorted with no sign of the problem returning so far. It belongs to one of my long-standing pro customers so he will immediately return it to me if there are signs of further problems.

I doubt there is much loss of strength as yet but it's best checked in detail for movement. I'd want to remove the neck and check the whole pocket and seal it of necessary.

-------------------

Hi Alex

I have a 3-4 weeks waiting list but always have a bit of time put aside for smaller repairs.

I'd say 2 hours work - including stripping the neck out and sealing all possible moisture entry point including the neck mounting screw holes as well as the cracks. I particularly want to examine the endgrain in the neck pocket. Drop it off when you have a quite sopt and I'll work it around current jobs. £40ish

I'd check the whole guitar at the same time and clean out the electrics etc. at the same time.

[trujo777]

one of my guitars broke the headstock (regular washburn guitar, not a bass) and I took it to a good luthier, they glued it chagred me close to $150 USD and it plays like new and has no more issues. they even guaranteed their work.

[golem]

The correspondence has all the right remarks.
I'd feel OK dealing with him. Price seems cool.

[Benjamin]

look at this for inspiration ;-)

BAS-EXTRAVAGANZA.NL

Wow. Smooth fretboard. And where can I get such a strap? That looks so comfy!

[Rano Bass]

Seems like a good price for the repair, we demand new pictures when it's fixed.