Possible Neck Delamination

ben_brown · Post by **ben_brown** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 6:47 am

I am currently considering buying this 76 4001 and after asking for several pics I discover this possible neck problem. The bass is currently being played and sounds good. I don't know what kind of strings are currently on it. Here are some pics of the neck at the nut that I requested from the seller. Here is the "E" side of the neck. It doesn't look at all bad except for the glare in the photo.

Now here is the "G" side. There seems to be some slight delamination starting but it is minimal.

Is this going to be a problem in the near future or will it stay this way for a while? Also could further delamination be stopped by some sort of inexpensive repair such as injecting some super glue or some reasonable facsimile? I just don't want to buy this bass and have it fall apart on me. The rest of the bass looks great for it's age and the white is still bright. Here's a body pic. Yes that's a Bartolini in the bridge position.

All answers, thoughts and ideas are very welcome.

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 7:24 am

popped the 'board?

can ya check the truss rods?

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 7:51 am

Make sure the adjustment nut end of the rods arent bent back toward the channel in the headstock. (see if you can get a wrench on them).

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 8:21 am

That is a very slight case and is probably quite stable as is. It can be sealed up to prevent further cracking though.

40014002 · Post by **40014002** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 10:03 am

As Ted has said this is a slight case I once had a bass with the fretboard split away from the neck for about 2" and it was a simple repair and the bass still sounds fine thats the power of wood glue.

edski · Post by **edski** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 10:45 am

Same as David's - hasn't been a problem for 23 years, some of that with very high tension flats on it. Both my e and g sides look like your g side, except with a longer mark. One side the crack even went a couple mm's into the neck.

Never could tell what caused it. I never had the neck adjusted on that bass since I bought it in 1981. I suppose I could have tried to adjust the truss rods when I was using those Fender 9050's...but I'm a little skittish doing that to a 4001. I just lived with the higher action.

ben_brown · Post by **ben_brown** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 10:47 am

Ya mean like this one?

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 10:57 am

That is a beauty Ben. I have one that simply exploded. It is cracked as far down but the fingerboard and headstock opened up like a flower. Someday I am going to do a proper repair on it.

edski · Post by **edski** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 11:13 am

Not nearly as extreme Ben, but yes, like that!

ben_brown · Post by **ben_brown** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 1:50 pm

So tell me Ted. How should I repair that neck so it won't continue delaminating? The seller is going to send me a picture of the truss rods tomorrow...under the hood so to speak. But assuming they are OK what can I do about the neck as it is now? I am a cabinetmaker for the last 20 years so I can handle the job if I know what exactly to do. Thanks again all for everyone's responses. By the way that JetGlo 73 cost me just $300 and had 2 "E" strings, a "D" and a "G" on it when I received it.

ben_brown · Post by **ben_brown** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 6:58 am

Here is a picture of the truss rods. Doesn't look too bad to me. What are everyone else's thoughts?

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 7:28 am

They look OK. Maybe a little bent downward but OK. I sent an e-mail to your alternate box Ben.

ben_brown · Post by **ben_brown** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 11:21 am

Thanks Ted....I got it, read it, and replied.

cerrem · Post by **cerrem** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 12:45 pm

Just to throw in my 2 cents...
I usually like to add a flat steel washer under each nut... The reason is to keep the neck stable...
I noticed that the nuts tend to sink into the soft aluminum separator too much...In some cases it may sink a little every month and require constant nut tightening to get the neck back in place... The washers tend to keep the neck adjustment more even and consistent...

ben_brown · Post by **ben_brown** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 12:51 pm

Noted.....Thanks Chris.