THE WORST I'VE SEEN
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- jingle_jangle
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THE WORST I'VE SEEN
This AZ '77 4001 came in for a neck crack repair and setup. It had been ridden hard and put away wet for decades. The owner had paid $250.00 for it. Bridge pickup non-functional, numerous issues besides the crack.
Here's what I found when I stripped it and pulled the nameplate:
As you can see, the truss rod nuts are torqued to such an extreme that, not only did the neck crack nearly to the 5th fret, but the rods themselves were bent into the neck pocket to the point where there was no choice but to dig them out with a special tool, leveraging against a small steel parallel.
Here's the result:
The nasty gouge in the neck pocket will be filled with a very strong epoxy to add thickness and sustain and stabilize the headstock.
While I was gently prying at the rods, the aluminum spacer took exception and cracked in two places and distorted throughout. Note that this is soft (extrusion-grade) aluminum bar stock, and that's why the nuts tend to bury themselves in the spacer as the tips of the rods knuckle under:
The nuts are still usable with a bit of clean-up, though.
Once made accessible, the rods slid out very easily. I'll probably shorten and re-thread them; the original threads are very distorted...
Oh, yeah--here's the crack curing after glue-up. I would use nothing but gap-filling super glue on this type of repair, incidentally--as long as the wood is dry and reasonably clean, it is stronger than the wood once cured. Must be clamped, though. Neither AR glue nor epoxy has this kind of strength!
However, It got a harness repair, new pickguard (to accommodate the '80s DiMarzio humbucker that was in it), and some other tweaks and fixes. Wait'll you see the bridge and nut, though...
The owner does not want a refinish...he loves the beat up look; kinda grew on me, too, I must admit. Charming...
Here's what I found when I stripped it and pulled the nameplate:
As you can see, the truss rod nuts are torqued to such an extreme that, not only did the neck crack nearly to the 5th fret, but the rods themselves were bent into the neck pocket to the point where there was no choice but to dig them out with a special tool, leveraging against a small steel parallel.
Here's the result:
The nasty gouge in the neck pocket will be filled with a very strong epoxy to add thickness and sustain and stabilize the headstock.
While I was gently prying at the rods, the aluminum spacer took exception and cracked in two places and distorted throughout. Note that this is soft (extrusion-grade) aluminum bar stock, and that's why the nuts tend to bury themselves in the spacer as the tips of the rods knuckle under:
The nuts are still usable with a bit of clean-up, though.
Once made accessible, the rods slid out very easily. I'll probably shorten and re-thread them; the original threads are very distorted...
Oh, yeah--here's the crack curing after glue-up. I would use nothing but gap-filling super glue on this type of repair, incidentally--as long as the wood is dry and reasonably clean, it is stronger than the wood once cured. Must be clamped, though. Neither AR glue nor epoxy has this kind of strength!
However, It got a harness repair, new pickguard (to accommodate the '80s DiMarzio humbucker that was in it), and some other tweaks and fixes. Wait'll you see the bridge and nut, though...
The owner does not want a refinish...he loves the beat up look; kinda grew on me, too, I must admit. Charming...
Re: THE WORST I'VE SEEN
Ummm.... Oh OK, I just went and checked, my '76 4001 AZ is still here...
That looks amazingly similar to mine, though the crack on mine had been fixed before I got it...
That looks amazingly similar to mine, though the crack on mine had been fixed before I got it...
I have NO idea what to do with those skinny stringed things... I'm just a bass player...
- sloop_john_b
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Re: THE WORST I'VE SEEN
This. Truss. Rod. Doesn't. Seem. To be. Doing anything...
(Grunt)
Hand me the ratchet, Skeeter!
(Grunt)
Hand me the ratchet, Skeeter!
Re: THE WORST I'VE SEEN
Also,this would be an example of the reason why I don't work on my basses.....
Re: THE WORST I'VE SEEN
My thoughts exactly. Paul I hope you are training an apprentice.. unless you plan on living forever?woodyng wrote:
Also,this would be an example of the reason why I don't work on my basses.....
- electrofaro
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Re: THE WORST I'VE SEEN
Stored wet? Like in a pond or something by the looks of it!
'67 Fender Coronado II CAB * '17 1963 ES-335 PB * currently rickless
- jingle_jangle
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Re: THE WORST I'VE SEEN
Werner, "ridden hard and put away wet" is an old euphemism courtesy of the American Cowboy. It does not literally mean it was stored in a wet place...Electrostring wrote:Stored wet? Like in a pond or something by the looks of it!
CJ can explain it to you.
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Re: THE WORST I'VE SEEN
Hey, I'm just an old world city slicker, how should I know?
'67 Fender Coronado II CAB * '17 1963 ES-335 PB * currently rickless
Re: THE WORST I'VE SEEN
Yes, and it's usually said, "Rode hard and put away wet"jingle_jangle wrote:Werner, "ridden hard and put away wet" is an old euphemism courtesy of the American Cowboy. It does not literally mean it was stored in a wet place...Electrostring wrote:Stored wet? Like in a pond or something by the looks of it!
CJ can explain it to you.
I have NO idea what to do with those skinny stringed things... I'm just a bass player...
- jingle_jangle
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Re: THE WORST I'VE SEEN
Thanks for explaining.
Re: THE WORST I'VE SEEN
Nothing like using a breaker bar to adjust the truss rods.
Re: THE WORST I'VE SEEN
...or an air impact wrench...
I have NO idea what to do with those skinny stringed things... I'm just a bass player...
Re: THE WORST I'VE SEEN
Werner,
To further clarify, the expression refers to horses being ridden hard and put up wet (sweaty). American cowboys were not known to ride Rickenbacker basses.... although there was the famous Sheriff and bassist Tex Laredo from Cheyenne.
Fastest bassist in the West.
////////////
On the topic, good luck Paul, you like challenges and this is certainly qualifies.
To further clarify, the expression refers to horses being ridden hard and put up wet (sweaty). American cowboys were not known to ride Rickenbacker basses.... although there was the famous Sheriff and bassist Tex Laredo from Cheyenne.
Fastest bassist in the West.
////////////
On the topic, good luck Paul, you like challenges and this is certainly qualifies.
Manta (Tim Rock)
http://www.mantaraymusic.com
1993 Plus FG, 730L-12, 4001FL, Danelectro 6/12, Storyboard Strat
http://www.mantaraymusic.com
1993 Plus FG, 730L-12, 4001FL, Danelectro 6/12, Storyboard Strat
- electrofaro
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Re: THE WORST I'VE SEEN
Thanks for this crash course, guys
I wonder what it will look like once it's "repaired" as we now only have close-ups
I wonder what it will look like once it's "repaired" as we now only have close-ups
'67 Fender Coronado II CAB * '17 1963 ES-335 PB * currently rickless