Neck plate defect?

[pauledwdz]

My Stingray 5 was purchased brand-new in the UK in 1998. It's not been gigged for about 6 years (and then only a few times) and it's always been looked after - not handled roughly, always kept in it's hard case etc. In fact it doesn't get used very often at all these days.

That's why I was surprised to notice some damage to the metal neck plate, which appears to be cracking - see photos:

www.e-coustics.co.uk/neckplate1.JPG
www.e-coustics.co.uk/neckplate2.JPG

I've never tampered with the neck's retaining screws and there's only probably been one string change over the years (and I'm pretty sure they were the same gauge as the factory ones).

Any ideas what could have caused this, if it's a common occurance or if I could get it fixed (e.g. some kind of set-up and a new neck plate)?

I'm open to options. Thanks in advance.

 

[JB1]

Bump

For a fellow brit.

Looks like our friend here has (to me) an unheard of problem.....

I'd be interested to see any POV's on this one....Jack, Jon, Gav?

 

[bovinehost]

I've never seen that before and couldn't tell you if it's ever come up, but to me the reasonable guess would be a defective piece of metal.

Luckily, it screws right off and right back on so whatever it is, it's an easy fix.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

The wood appears to have a crack in it aswell???

My initial reaction was that the Bass has been dropped or has taken a heavy nock somewhere along the neck. But, as pauledwdz says, it's been well looked after.

FWIW, in my notes is a record of a UK owner who had a neck plate replaced on a circa 98 Bass in early 2003 but I wasn't given any details about the old one.

 

[jongitarz]

I don't know what we could do for the guy....It looks like it's the chrome plating coming off, and since the bass is WAY out of warranty, and it would cost a metric Sh@tload of $ to make an other plate by itself, I am at a loss here.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

The guy in my post had his plate replaced by EB with a new (at that time) 2003 plate and serial number.

 

[jongitarz]

I just don't see that happening in this case. Maybe a neckplate w/o a serial number, and for future reference he could just save the s/n? This is a customer service issue, so I am just speculating here...BP or Dargin will have more input, I'm sure.

 

[pauledwdz]

Thanks, Guys.

So what's the best thing to do? Should I take it to a store or email customer services or what?

BTW, there's no cracking in the wood - it's just the ways the photo's come out.

Thanks.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Email Customer Service.

 

[JB1]

I think if that fails & you're stuck, might be an idea to get a new plate made & chromed?

I'm sure EBMM will be able to help in some way. As suggested, email CS dept.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

>>>>I think if that fails & you're stuck....

Nothings going to fail

 

[Psycho Ward]

Has the bass ever been left in a cold van or trailer?


Psycho

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

FWIW...The Bass in my post was allocated E35324.

 

[pauledwdz]

Has the bass ever been left in a cold van or trailer?

Not that I'm aware of. Obviously it's been in and out of a car a few times but never left there.

I've emailed customer services - I'll let you know what they say.

Thanks everyone.

 

[Big Poppa]

This appears to me to be a case of someone overtightening the screw and casuing the crack. The other issue could be a combo of the overtightening coupled with some cold temp issues.. This is not something that we would fix after seven years. My advice is to play it and appreciate the aging process.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Mate...you have it from Sterling Ball.

All best.

 

[tommyindelaware]

if it was me........& if it's just the plating & not the plate itself......i'd just clean it up & live w/ the cosmetic damage. i play the hell out of my guitars.....& it shows.
i've never seen that before.......
ebmm guitars make great wallhanging trophies .......but they work even better as workhorse bad ass instruments that like to get used & used & used......
ya gotta get a little mud on the tires.....