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I've been asked to see if I can make this P-Bass neck work. It appears the truss rod either sheared off at the threads, and someone attempted a repair by reaming some of the wood out, or else someone robbed the adjustment nut. The tip of the screw is recessed about an inch and an 1/8" into the heel, and protrudes about 5/16" from what appears to be surrounding wood.

I've got a typical philips head Fender style nut that seems to thread onto the rod, but it sits really far into the heel of the neck. I did purchase some of Stew Mac's truss rod rescue kit tools. The spacers/washers they sent don't seem to fit around the rod, (but it may be that the reamed opening is off center with the rod) and even the Stew Mac reamer doesn't seem fit around the rod. I'm hesitant to get too crazy with the rescue kit tools as it would be pretty easy to lose them inside the hole, and they're expensive!

None of this particular repair seems typical. So I guess my question is, is this normal? Perhaps I shouldn't try anything fancy, just get some hardware store washers that fit into the opening and have a larger center hole, then use the nut I have?

I gotta scratch my head awhile on this one.

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Whatever works and these days you are also up against the economics of tossing that entire neck and getting a new one from Fender for not very much money.

Did exactly that several times when it was much cheaper than the cost of a repair. Gave ‘em the old neck back for possible future vintage value.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

I suppose you'll have to experiment a bit, Conor. While the client could buy a new neck, I'd be tempted to pull the fingerboard and rout the maple away over that area for a closer look-see. Won't be cheap or easy, but would keep it original. Let the client decide, of course.

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Certainly, the washers option would be worth trying and have no down side if they don't work.

My opinions: As a customer, I think any cash spent on labor is lost money. Since the labor in this repair is for time spent, most likely, I don't want to subsidize my repairman's education, I'd prefer to spend cash on new components. So, as a customer, I'd like to have the choice, going in. as to how much a new neck would cost, parts and labor, and a firm estimate of how much will be spent on the maybe-this-will-work stacked washer repair. I'd choose between the two. I would have no interest in removing the fingerboard and swapping out the truss rod. Neck's going to be off anyway, might as well put on a new one. I'd have no interest in subsidizing 'experiment a bit' on my dime.

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Peter Havriluk

Hey, we are just trying to come up with solutions for Conor's problem. And labor IS the main cost in this craft. I am not sure where you are coming from.

Preach that stuff, Barry. They don't seek us out and pay us tall stacks of long green because of our pretty legs.

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

I had that conversation with him today. I let him know there were a couple things I could try, but anything other then dropping some washers in and seeing if that made the neck useable was likely going to be more money than a new neck was worth. I would never ever ask a customer to subsidize my education. And I've done lots of jobs where i spent more time then I was comfortable billing for, simply because I felt a job took me longer than what someone with more experience could do it for. I generally go with a "book price" on all of my routine work, and make sure customers know up front the ball park they should expect the bill to be in. I also never work on someone else's stuff when I can't clearly conceptualize the job from start to finish. So I ask lots of questions here, and elsewhere before I ever start the meter.

But I agree with Barry and Chris, what do you mean by cash spent on labor is lost money? if I don't get to charge people for the time I take away from my family and other commitments, then what am I doing this all for?

Customer perspective. A customer can see a new neck, but he undervalues problem-solving. I agree enthusiastically that someone doing work ought to be fairly compensated.

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Peter Havriluk

A customer who doesn’t see the value in skilled labour might be reminded that the value is not in the labour itself but in the results of that labour.

There’s value in saving a neck that someone might love the feel of. Change the neck and you could end up feeling like you’re playing a different guitar. The neck is the user interface. I’d sooner toss the body on my favourite tele than swap the neck.

Some customers also may have a desire not to throw nice pieces of maple and rosewood onto the bonfire where repair and reuse is an option, even if it costs a few bucks more. This tonewood stuff doesn’t grow on trees!!!

Hey, speak for yourself!!!

Well, that would be a misinformed customer that needs some edumacation.

I should mention too, that the P-Bass neck in question is a Mexican made neck. It's got loads of "mojo" and is super comfortable, but as it seems clear to everyone here, may not make economic sense to go to far down the rabbit hole of possible repair options.

So you're saying you have nice legs, Josh?

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

When I’m working in shorts instead of jeans I charge an extra $10 per hour!


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[quoteI should mention too, that the P-Bass neck in question is a Mexican made neck. It's got loads of "mojo" and is super comfortable, but as it seems clear to everyone here, may not make economic sense to go to far down the rabbit hole of possible repair options.[/quote]

If Fumblefinger was reading this, he would remind us that many of the Mexican Fenders (especially the early stuff) has become quite desirable to collectors and certain players. It's not forgettable junk by any means.

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince