4001 - Crack Neck Repair

[spongebob]

I've got the chance to get my hands on a '74 4001, priced fairly well.

All looks good apart from a (I believe) repaired crack on the neck.

I'm buying blind, so I've got to be sure it's all good before I take the plunge.

I've heard this is a fairly common place for the necks to go - and it is 41 years old - but I can't quite see if it's a quality repair or not.

I've attached the image I received today.

Love to know your thoughts - investigate, or run a mile!

[ram]

I love my 74 from June of that year - my favorite neck ever! I am no expert but it seems there have been a few other such problems corrected by a good luthier in the past. You may want to search for that - cracked neck or cracked headstock and see what you get. I'm sure others will chime in on this.

[fran4001]

Actually, judging by outward appearance, it DOESN'T look particularly well repaired. Other considerations would be what type of glue was used, and how much. Wrong glue, and you either will not get it apart to fix correctly, or, it may just fail unexpectedly any time. Also, too much glue, and it may have gotten in the truss rod routes and impaired their function. (Hey, happened to Squire!) I'm just surprised the previous repair person couldn't get that piece to lay flush.

[jiemp]

Hi there, I agree with Fran4001 but as the crack begin from the fretboard side, the string tension tend to hold it tight. It depends on the asking price...I changed the truss rods on two of my bases, even with glue inside the routes, i think it wouldn't be so difficult to remove them and to take off the glue.
Bye

[geofio]

I would do the running part Iain.

[jps]

Cracks like this are quite common on Ricks with the old style rods due to people who don't know how to properly adjust them. If repaired well they are strong and should not present any future issues. Regardless of how it was previously done it can be re-repaired if necessary.

[edski]

Cracks like this are quite common on Ricks with the old style rods due to people who don't know how to properly adjust them. If repaired well they are strong and should not present any future issues. Regardless of how it was previously done it can be re-repaired if necessary.

+1

My 1975 had to have a similar repair in 1983. It's been fine since, even with Fender 9050 ML's on it for a decade (very stiff, thick flat wounds - high tension).

[spongebob]

Thanks for the advice guys.

I am tempted to avoid this one....buying blind, I'm a bit concerned that the crack might worsen or go pop!

Shame as the rest looks all good - no Grovers - but it has got the red dot markers. Nice bass besides the crack...I wouldn't know if was well repaired or not, and of course it could be a money pit if things worsened....

[henry5]

Thanks for the advice guys.

I am tempted to avoid this one....buying blind, I'm a bit concerned that the crack might worsen or go pop!

Shame as the rest looks all good - no Grovers - but it has got the red dot markers. Nice bass besides the crack...I wouldn't know if was well repaired or not, and of course it could be a money pit if things worsened....

If you do decide to go for it, take it to Martin Petersen at the Gallery in Camden and tell him I sent you. I'm sure he can fix that.

[deblase4001]

Use the crack in the neck to get the price way down and buy it. Especially if the bass in in great condition otherwise. I have a 74 4001 with the same type of neck crack repair and have never had a problem with it. Very stable and one of my favorite basses. Good luck.

[spongebob]

Seller is wanting just under $2100 - I don't think he's shift much below $2000 - about £1350 - another concern.

A little cheaper than a normal UK 4001, but still quite a risk considering I could end up with expensive firewood!

[clementc3]

The received wisdom (that I have heard, anyway), is that a repaired neck/headstock break is often stronger than before. That said, a repaired headstock break doesn't make the instrument go up in value!

I had a headstock break (a fracture/crack, not all the way through) on my mid-1970's Gibson Les Paul Deluxe when my strap unexpectedly let go of it (I now believe in strap locks!). Gary Brawer, an excellent guitar technician in San Francisco, repaired it and it seems to be fine; the repair was not overly expensive, maybe $150. At the same time, looking at eBay I estimate that my guitar went down in value by $1,000 when the headstock broke, from $2,500 pre-break to $1,500 post-break.

"A little cheaper than normal" sounds like an insufficient discount.

[spongebob]

What do you think a fair price is for a 4001 in such condition?

[RickyBubba]

It is debatable till the cows come home, but I would say less than $1000 in my book.

[deblase4001]

A crack/repair that big in the neck is usually a deal breaker for most people. Early to mid 70's 4001's are special basses to me and getting harder to find good deals on. Do you have other pictures of the bass? If it is in nice shape with a decent case, I would offer $1200 to $1400. Good luck.