StingRay 3 neck pocket question

[handzilla]

Hello!

Someone brought to my attention that the neck pocket on my StingRay3 has a slight lateral angle. With the neck bolted on, the E string side sits about 1/16" higher than the G string side. My question is whether it is intentional or within manufacturing tolerance? There are no shims installed. Thanks!

 

[DrKev]

Importing the image into my image software, that's less than a 2º deviation from perfect, I would think it's well within tolerance. (The reflection makes it both easy to see and makes it look worse than it is). I've seen this before on other bolt-on neck instruments. It wouldn't bother me but if it bothers you, next time you change strings, take the neck off and look for any tear-out or deformation on the edges of the screw holes that might affect the flatness of the neck heel.

 

[handzilla]

Thanks DrKev,

It wouldn't bother me at all but prospective buyer made a point that it's a factory defect. Neck heel is absolutely nice with no dents or deformation, but the pocket has a built-in angle. I was just wondering how common it is with Music Man. I had a Les Paul Studio back in the day with set neck that had a visible lateral tilt and it was an obvious manufacturing flaw, but Gibson's QC was garbage certain years so that didn't surprise me at all, particularly on a budget model.

 

[Golem]

Thanks DrKev,

It wouldn't bother me at all but prospective buyer made a point that it's a factory defect. Neck heel is absolutely nice with no dents or deformation, but the pocket has a built-in angle. I was just wondering how common it is with Music Man. I had a Les Paul Studio back in the day with set neck that had a visible lateral tilt and it was an obvious manufacturing flaw, but Gibson's QC was garbage certain years so that didn't surprise me at all, particularly on a budget model.

Just shim it so you dont scare any buyers. BTW it looks to me like your photo is posted upside down ?