how did paul mccartney’s 4001s not have a warped neck?

[bon viesta]

i believe it’s pretty common knowledge that paul mccartney’s rickenbacker 4001s was unfinished throughout all of the 70s (or maybe just until 1976, because i’ve heard that when he sent it to rickenbacker they put a sealer coat on the bass), but wouldn’t a main concern about leaving a guitar unfinished be the warping of the neck?

and ESPECIALLY on what is essentially an rm1999 neck from 1964, which are notorious for being quite fragile, how did that neck not become totally destroyed?

[cheyenne]

Luck of the draw I guess. Chris Squire got a good one as well.

[Dirk]

Because the neck wood itself is what moves.
It's only a protective layer, and does nothing for the actual construction.

Truss rods will have a much more significant effect over time.

I've built plenty of necks with nothing other than a Danish oil finish, not a problem in many years and many basses.

[sloop_john_b]

Paul’s bass DOES have a warped neck, but it has nothing to do with a lack of finish.

The headstock has pulled forward to the point where it is mostly unplayable at this point. Many early 60’s 4001 basses have met a similar fate.