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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
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    Sydney
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    Default Bass neck problem - any suggestions?

    I have a 1976 Musicman Stingray that has an issue.
    After an accident several years ago, one edge of the "skunk stripe" fillet on the back of the neck, started to give way slightly.
    At the same time, I noticed chages in the bass, which I play A LOT. . . Increased instability with change of seasons
    and a 'rising tongue' appearing . . I have always had to keep a close eye on this bass' setup ever since, and make adjustments.
    I should point out at this stage that I had another Stingray for 18 years, that had the exact same issue , but worse,
    (the edges of the fillet had given way on both sides, and the fillet would actually creak at times.)
    At the time, I took it to Dan Kellaway, who did a tremendous job repairing it, and it never misxsed a beat after that.
    However, when I tried to find someone to attempt to fix this about 18 months ago, no one was interested,
    and I was advised to carefully try and get some water thin super glue into the problem area,
    which I managed to do . . and that seemed to hold , for a few months.
    But it hasnt fixed it at all, really . . the same edge is now once again ever-so-slightly protruding,
    and now the other edge has just started along about an inch of its side as well.
    Obviously, this is bad. . . And once again , there seems little interest from repairmen.
    I ams till tring to convince Dan Kellaway to take it on,
    but the guy he recommended in Sydney, wants to build me a new neck! (that has gotta be the last rtesort)
    This is a pretty rare vintage instrument, that would have almost zero value with a no name neck,
    and while that may be the ultimate solution , I cant stomach it at this stage.
    My question is - anyone got any ideas? (apart from the Dan Kellaway solution?)
    It didnt really seem to be an issue to repair the same problem in the 1980's, that now has repairmen running in terror, it seems.
    One guy in Sydney , after a 30 second casual glance at the bass, told me it "couldnt be fixed".
    Which was weird, seeing as I have had the same problem fixed previously.
    I do understand why these guys are reluctant , but surely the risk is mine to take, and not their responsibility.
    And taking no action will someday render the bass unplayable I presume, but we're along way from that point ,
    it still plays like a dream, as long as I keep a close eye on it.
    So does anyone have any ideas? . . your thoughts are most welcome , please

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  3. #2
    Join Date
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    Default

    My first guess, and it's only a guess, is that the glue used to attach the neck of your current instrument is not "reversible", while that used on the earlier guitar was.
    A reversible glue allows a joint to be taken apart, cleaned and re-glued.

    Best of luck in finding someone to help
    regards from Alberta, Canada

    ian

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
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    blue mountains
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    Default

    If you put up some pictures of the bit that is de laminating then someone may have an answer. Just going on what you describe I tend to agree with Ian. The bigest problem with reglue jobs is the glue or glues that went before. The problem may be the original build as in the kinds of wood not having similar shrinkage rates and using glue that creeps. If the other one also had the same problem then who knows. As for repair guys I would be looking for someone who does vintage restorations. Some very beat up old instruments have been brought back to life so there may be hope. I would also slack off the tension and not play it so as not make it any worse.
    I hope you find someone willing to take it on.
    Regards
    John

  5. #4
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    May 2007
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    If it is a vintage instrument and valuable as such I would keep trying to find the right repair guy. Dont mess with it and potentially devalue it. Maybe someone over on the ANZLF, ie the Luthiers forum can help.
    "We must never become callous. When we experience the conflicts ever more deeply we are living in truth. The quiet conscience is an invention of the devil." - Albert Schweizer

    My blog. http://theupanddownblog.blogspot.com

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Sydney
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sebastiaan56 View Post
    If it is a vintage instrument and valuable as such I would keep trying to find the right repair guy. Dont mess with it and potentially devalue it. Maybe someone over on the ANZLF, ie the Luthiers forum can help.

    Yeah, I agree completely...
    Good news, though . . I managed to talk again to Dann Kellaway, and he has agreed to take it on and is sure he can fix it .
    He did so once before, many years ago, for the same issue on the same type of bass, so he's the man for the job.
    So it's looking promising .
    Thank you all for your input.

  7. #6
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    See if you can find out from Dann what the problem is -- at least in general terms -- and what the fix is.

    That way if it happens again you will be better able to describe the problem to another maker.
    regards from Alberta, Canada

    ian

  8. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by ian View Post
    See if you can find out from Dann what the problem is -- at least in general terms -- and what the fix is.

    That way if it happens again you will be better able to describe the problem to another maker.
    Ok, sorry Ian , if my description was inadequate,
    but I dont need to ask Dan,
    it is as I said , the thin peice that runs down the back of the neck on a Stingray bass
    (that secures the truss rod after they were installed that way at the time.)
    has started to give wy down the glue line along one side , and a little on the other side.
    Dan is confident he can relase the piece, and then epoxy,
    so the problem recurring should not be an issue, all going well.
    and describing it better to another buuilder should hopefully be unnecessary.
    thanks for the advice, though.

  9. #8
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    If it's the fillet that secures the truss rod that's the issue then it sounds like there's not much meat between the bottom of the truss rod channel and the back of the neck. If you cant get glue down the side of the fillet then I'd rout it out and fit a new fillet.....that way you can be sure the glue job is good. You should be able to do this without jeopardizing the vintage value of the instrument. Put up a post at the ANZLF.....we have a few repair gurus on the forum.
    Whatever note you blow youre never more than a semitone away from the correct one....(Miles Davis)

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