docbass

Thanks, I'm going to give it a try.

Thanks Marty. I see what you've done. I know a clean joint is critical with the tension put on a bass neck by the strings. I'm going to give your method a try. If it doesn't work out, I'll drop back and go to Plan B. Thanks again for your help and graphics!

Wow, those turned out great! The only thing I'm not clear on is the thickness your new grafted section between the 3 fret and the nut slot. At the top of the joint, does the new wood it go all the way to the bottom of the fret board? I'm trying to visiualize how it looks from the side of the fret board. Could I ask for one more picture of the sides? Then I'll get out of your hair!!!

Fantastic, thanks!

Wow, sounds feasible. I was wondering about my situation. Will I have sufficient surface to have a stable joint? I feel like there isn't enough surface and a scarf joint would help compensate for that. Got any pictures of one of these repairs ?

Almost all Gibson basses have mahogany necks. T-Birds, EB-0 (SG shape), EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, Les Pauls and many of their new models as well. The only maple necks were typically on Grabbers and Rippers in the 80's. I'm sure I've missed a few models, like the RD and Victory, but these are the main ones.

Yep. First, I'm gonna graft a new piece of mahog into the divit on the back of the neck. Then add a new headstock that will run below the nut with a scarf joint. First, I've gotta get all that crap paint off of it, then we'll move forward with the wood repairs. As I said, just doing this will be worth the effort and experience gained. Thanks again folks.

I understand the new neck argument. The neck is set, it wouldn't take a lot to remove and replace it. After recreating it, of course. My thoughts behind the repair was keeping as much of the old neck as I could. That's my little hangup as a Gibson fan and collector. Not to mention the challenge of actually saving the old neck and grafting on a new headstock. It's a tough call, but all of the options are viable. I have an acquitance in another forum who just showed me the exact same repair he did on one of his personal guitars. Well, I've got time to think it over while I strip it this week end. I figure if I do try the repair and it fails, the new neck option is always there and I learned something from the experience. The curse of being a teacher I guess. I'm not afraid to learn from my adventures (or misadventures).

I've repaired some cracked/broken headstocks, but I'm into new territory with this basket case I picked up recently. I've always had the remains of the headstock to work with before. This one is quite different. It's a rare 60's non-reverse T-bird bass, so it's worth rehabing for my purposes (I collect Gibsons to play and keep). I'll be removing the fret board and replacing the truss rod to be sure. The frets are pretty worn, so I might do a new board and frets anyway. The broken part of the neck will be cut to a more agreeable flat surface with an angle for grafting purposes. I've contemplated two paths to follow: grafting new mahogany to the broken neck area first, then grafting the new angled headstock to that. Or, using a thick piece of mahogany and carving out the neck patch and headstock from a single piece, then grafting it to the neck. Any thoughts or words of wisdom based on experience/expertise that you could share would be greatly appreciated.

Both suggestions are nice alternatives. Making 2 degree props would certainly be easier, although the jig looks like it would have multiple uses. My plan is building maybe 2 basses for my own edification, nothing more, nothing less. I've repaired/refinished numerous basses, but have the urge to try my hand at building one from scratch. So, it will be a self taught/forum searching experience for me. If it turns out to be fun, I might do more. Just have to wait and see.

Hey, after 4 searches I finally found a post that talked about Myka's neck jig and I found his web site. Very cool, I'm going to have to make one for sure. It's a pretty simple solution and has other potential uses too. You may thrash me now for not finding it sooner!

OK, I've laid out a full scale drawing of my bass and found I need a 2 degree neck angle, ala Perry. I've gone over Setch's carving tutorial but I'm not sure how to rout/carve a 2 degree angle into my body blank. I know how to do a typical Fender neck pocket with my router/template, but the angle has me stumped. Any pointers on technique/tools? Be gentle, I'm very new at this......

Yeah, that would probably be a good idea when new folks like me can't find what they need when searching. Thanks again.

Whew, I'm almost sorry I asked. I did however learn something about wood and opinions. Blessings.

I'm going to try my first bass neck build. It will be a 34" scale, neck through hard maple with Pao fingerboard. I've read a couple things regarding flat vs. quarter sawn wood for a bass neck. Most recently, that flat sawn is best for a bass neck. Is one really bettter than the other for a bass neck? Is flat sawn more flexible than quarter? What's your experience/advice? Just thought I'd check in with you all before I go off to the lumber yard.

I'm building a Les Paul bass project and I wanted a set neck look. More cosmetic than anything else. Besides, I'd been wondering about this idea for some time and was curious to see what folks would think.

Thanks MK, you did exactly what I was thinking. It makes a nice converstion IMHO. You did a nice job on it. I was even thinking going neck through would be a way to do it as well. I'm building a neck through nbass ow with a Carvin neck through neck, but they only come with rosewood boards and I'd like a maple or ebony set or neck through neck in the future, which I might have to craft myself. Thanks again, I'll be printing off your posting foreference.

I have a nice bolt-on neck I'd like to use as a set-neck in a current project. Can I simply glue it into the neck pocket as is, or should I add any wood to the heel to change/strengthen the heel-to-pocket configuration? I'll be routing the neck pocket myself, so it will be tight with zero gaps. Just wondering.

Thanks guys, I'll be trying the pickguard material on top for my first few and see how it goes. Great suggestions and instructions!

Hey thanks guys. Hi there Joe!!! I just got a router and then a couple days ago saw the Stew-Mac dorections for doing this using a router and template. I'm going to use the router on top at first to see how that works. I don't have a router table yet, but will eventually. After paying $65 or more for a pickguard, I know I can eventually do as well for just the cost of the materials and my labor. Should be fun to learn!

I'm working on my 70's Telecaster neck. I've been thinking the vintage Fender frets would be good, but I can't find any specs on them. Would anyone know any dimensions for these frets (see Link below). I can't find anything on them. Fender bass frets

I purchased 4 Gotoh compact bass machine tuners and I need to know the recommended distance, center to center, for the peg holes in the headstock. I'm installing them 4 in line, Fender bass style. Any help would be appreciated!

Do you still have the Dimarzio bass pup? I might be interested. What's the spacing between the poles?