1978 Stingray bass Truss Rod Snapped!! Need a new neck and repair on the old one.

[jmbstudios]

Anyone have a line on a nice Stingray bass neck from 77-80? Maple on Maple?

I am looking at my options to have this one fixed. I replaced the truss rod nut just fine and tightened it up but the neck would not straighten out. Like it didn't move. I was confused... Tightened it some more thinking that I just loosened it all the way and went too far and hear a snap. CRAP!! In my 10 years setting up basses and guitars for guys in my region, this has never happened and I have had some pretty tough pieces to work on.

Any suggestions from the Fixin gurus around here?

Thanks

 

[Spudmurphy]

It's dificult to comment without seeing it, and I'm sure you will get various answers. Could be a number of issues. The adjuster stripping the thread or the retention block that the truss rod screws into has stripped - the rod has snapped maybe?

If it's the outside adjustor that is the easiest fix and should cost under a hundred bucks to fix?

If its the retention block then the fret board has to come off, a new rod/retention block put in place and the fretboard re glued. This usually also means a refret, fret dress and set up. A long process which at $50 an hour tech time will not be cost effective.
Please contact Customer Service and ask them about the possability of suplying a replacement neck. It will be more cost effective.

My "Guitar tech mate" here in the UK had a Stingray on his bench with a badly twisted neck due to the owner leaving it in the boot of his car when we had really hot weather. He went via Strings n Things and I have to say that I was impressed with the quote for a new neck. Good luck and tell us how you get on?

Edit
What with the neck/fretboard being maple on maple I very much doubt that you would get an invisible repair.

 

[beej]

If it were me, I would call EBMM and ask for help.

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

If it were me, I would call EBMM and ask for help.

Yep, toll-free, too!
1-866-823-2255


You may also be able to buy a new neck if you send in your old one, we did a neck replacement on a 76 Ray a few years back and that was the process.

 

[Johnny Alien]

I differ in opinion on this. Being a vintage instrument of some value I would say a good repair would protect the bass and it's value more. The cost of a replacement neck if they do it will likely be high as well so if it were me I would just take that money and have the neck repaired by a good luthier.

 

[stingrayguy]

Hi JMB,
i had the same issue on an old Stingray bass, which is a player, so i didn't worry too much about loosing any value.
After contacting EBMM support (no old necks available, could buy replacement neck for current model) and some luthiers (cost estimate of 500-800 Euros) i decided to try myself to install a new truss.
Here's what i did to get it working again:
http://forums.ernieball.com/music-man-basses/53285-new-trussrod-pre-ernie-ball-stingray.html
It takes a lot of time and patience, but it's possible.
Good luck with your bass!

Anyone have a line on a nice Stingray bass neck from 77-80? Maple on Maple?

I am looking at my options to have this one fixed. I replaced the truss rod nut just fine and tightened it up but the neck would not straighten out. Like it didn't move. I was confused... Tightened it some more thinking that I just loosened it all the way and went too far and hear a snap. CRAP!! In my 10 years setting up basses and guitars for guys in my region, this has never happened and I have had some pretty tough pieces to work on.

Any suggestions from the Fixin gurus around here?

Thanks

 

[Spudmurphy]

Interesting comments. and a great link stingrayguy which made me aware that a skunk stripe was used instead of cutting the fretboard off, routing out, insertion of rod, and regluing of fret board - it's not necessary!

But remember, the cost of a new neck is very reasonable.

Nice thread.

 

[Tollywood]

Interesting comments. and a great link stingrayguy which made me aware that a skunk stripe was used instead of cutting the fretboard off, routing out, insertion of rod, and regluing of fret board - it's not necessary!

But remember, the cost of a new neck is very reasonable.

Nice thread.

Stingrayguy did a great job removing that skunk stripe. Very clever.

 

[beej]

Wow- stingrayguy- fantastic repair. Very nicely done!

 

[jmbstudios]

I talked with EBMM and they had no clue how to help. They suggested I fabricate a new truss rod because anything they had was not the same measurements as what was used in the 70s.
He said he tossed it around in the shop for a while to see what they could come up with and that was the best answer.

The link from stinrayguy is great. And I will bring that up to the tech that repairs this neck.

thanks

 

[jmbstudios]

I sent the neck off to Rainbow Guitars in Tucson. The tech said the neck is crap and can't be brought back to life even if a new truss rod is installed. I might get a second opinion.

I found a 1980 Sabre neck. But the guy wants $950 and I'm not sure I want to put a sabre neck on a stingray. I'd like to keep it all stingray. But the sabre necks are the same right? Just a different label?
Its all maple and looks nice.

 

[beej]

I don't have a lot of experience with the Sabre necks (you might have more luck asking on the Bass side of the forum), so if it were me I'd probably go for a new replacement SR neck from MM.