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John Myung Bongo 4

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

J

jmbstudios

Active member
Joined
Apr 16, 2007
Messages
28
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
 
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.
 
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.
 
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!


jmbstudios said:
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
Click to expand...
 
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.
 
Spudmurphy said:
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.
Click to expand...

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