American Vintage II 1954 Precision Bass Neck Pocket Gap Left Side

[HUDSONRIVERJIMI]

Just recieved my new American VintageII P Bass.I love the look, sound and how it plays but I'm disappointed in the quality.I have several MIM Jazz and P basses purchased in the late 90's that have always served me well with no quality issues or fuss.
Had to do substantial set up and solder a disconnected wire on the input jack, which really doesn't bug me. My issue is with a gap on the left side of the Bass between the neck and the pocket probably the width of a business card.
American Fenders have been something I couldn't afford, just wondering if this is normal and if this may have anything to do with how thin the Nitrocellulose paint is.
New to TalkBass, thanks for any advice I get, Jimmy

 

[2saddleslab]

Jimmy,

In a perfect world you wouldn't have to "fix" any issues on a new bass. One solder joint wouldn't stop me from enjoying an otherwise good bass. Neck/ body gaps have never been an issue w/ me unless it's super tight and damages the finish. The thickness of a business card is pretty small and should have no negative impact on it's performance.

Enjoy that great bass and let's see some pics. Since you're new to TB [welcome, BTW!], pics are not required but we sure like to see 'em!

 

[HUDSONRIVERJIMI]

Jimmy,

In a perfect world you wouldn't have to "fix" any issues on a new bass. One solder joint wouldn't stop me from enjoying an otherwise good bass. Neck/ body gaps have never been an issue w/ me unless it's super tight and damages the finish. The thickness of a business card is pretty small and should have no negative impact on it's performance.

Enjoy that great bass and let's see some pics. Since you're new to TB [welcome, BTW!], pics are not required but we sure like to see 'em!

Thanks for welcoming me, and no that small gap won't stop me either.Will send pictures as soon as possible.

 

[Killing Floor]

Welcome to TB.

Fender basses, particularly the 1954 models, are made of trees. The tree factory is not ISO compliant and they don't Kanban. Their bass material is pretty sus. It's been known to expand and contract based on the temperature and moisture in the air. I have a car, it don't contract when it's cold. I had blistered shipoopieo peppers last night, they don't expand because it's humid. Trees are sketchy menaces. The supplier, nature, is like the bottom end of ebay. If you can avoid it, don't ever buy anything made by nature. Too much inconsistency.

Also, Fender never was and never will be a boutique brand. If the neck isn't bolted on that's a big problem. If there's a gap in the route that isn't a problem.

edit
also that word before peppers, I don't know what that is but when I try to edit my post it isn't there. Maybe Talkbass is also made from nature.

 

[HUDSONRIVERJIMI]

Jimmy,

In a perfect world you wouldn't have to "fix" any issues on a new bass. One solder joint wouldn't stop me from enjoying an otherwise good bass. Neck/ body gaps have never been an issue w/ me unless it's super tight and damages the finish. The thickness of a business card is pretty small and should have no negative impact on it's performance.

Enjoy that great bass and let's see some pics. Since you're new to TB [welcome, BTW!], pics are not required but we sure like to see 'em!

 

[eniac]

Just recieved my new American VintageII P Bass.I love the look, sound and how it plays but I'm disappointed in the quality.I have several MIM Jazz and P basses purchased in the late 90's that have always served me well with no quality issues or fuss.
Had to do substantial set up and solder a disconnected wire on the input jack, which really doesn't bug me. My issue is with a gap on the left side of the Bass between the neck and the pocket probably the width of a business card.
American Fenders have been something I couldn't afford, just wondering if this is normal and if this may have anything to do with how thin the Nitrocellulose paint is.
New to TalkBass, thanks for any advice I get, Jimmy

If you think that's bad, you should've seen the stuff we had to put up with in the mid to late 1970s.

 

[Lava]

IMO
I wouldn’t let it bug me too much. Not ideal but also not unusual with Fender, even the American models. I’ve played some wonderful Fenders with gaps and in the long run it doesn’t matter if you like it and it plays well.

 

[Aussie Player]

Just recieved my new American VintageII P Bass.I love the look, sound and how it plays but I'm disappointed in the quality.I have several MIM Jazz and P basses purchased in the late 90's that have always served me well with no quality issues or fuss.
Had to do substantial set up and solder a disconnected wire on the input jack, which really doesn't bug me. My issue is with a gap on the left side of the Bass between the neck and the pocket probably the width of a business card.
American Fenders have been something I couldn't afford, just wondering if this is normal and if this may have anything to do with how thin the Nitrocellulose paint is.
New to TalkBass, thanks for any advice I get, Jimmy

I would have immediately rejected and returned it.

 

[HUDSONRIVERJIMI]

Jimmy,

In a perfect world you wouldn't have to "fix" any issues on a new bass. One solder joint wouldn't stop me from enjoying an otherwise good bass. Neck/ body gaps have never been an issue w/ me unless it's super tight and damages the finish. The thickness of a business card is pretty small and should have no negative impact on it's performance.

Enjoy that great bass and let's see some pics. Since you're new to TB [welcome, BTW!], pics are not required but we sure like to see 'em!

 

[bmusic]

I mean...if you "love the look, sound, and how it plays", I'd say try not to overthink it.

 

[bassdude51]

I'm not recommending that you do this..........but, you can loosen the neck, cut a piece of paper that is about half the thickness of your gap on the left side, cut the paper into a shape that won't be noticed and fit it into the right hand side of the neck pocket (in a discreet way so it won't be seen). This will move the neck over a smidgen and perhaps will divide the gap between both sides and won't be as noticeable. Or, you could just live with it as is. Pretty common for Fender necks to have some degree of gaps.............as already mentioned by experienced TBers.

I don't know if I'm making any sense. Hopefully so.

 

[Nolan Tremblay]

The wiring issue would have been the bigger problem for me. The gap is, to me, not a huge deal and IMO part of having a bolt-on instrument. I've seen instruments with damaged finish from neck pockets that are too tight and the neck being removed, possible with some swelling from being in different humidity from the factory. I don't subscribe to the idea that a tight neck pocket perimeter contributes to "good tone".

Is the gap on the other side of the neck non-existent? I'm guessing the neck was screwed on shifted more to one side than the other, which you may be able to remedy as described by @bassdude51 I personally wouldn't worry about it though.

 

[bassdude51]

The wiring issue would have been the bigger problem for me. The gap is, to me, not a huge deal and IMO part of having a bolt-on instrument. I've seen instruments with damaged finish from neck pockets that are too tight and the neck being removed, possible with some swelling from being in different humidity from the factory. I don't subscribe to the idea that a tight neck pocket perimeter contributes to "good tone".

Is the gap on the other side of the neck non-existent? I'm guessing the neck was screwed on shifted more to one side than the other, which you may be able to remedy as described by @bassdude51 I personally wouldn't worry about it though.

I totally agree, the wiring issue, no excuse for leaving the factory like that!

Thankfully, with the SCPB Fender Basses, the chrome control plate with the 2 knobs and held down with 2 screws, is an easy off and on for a wiring fix. Oh man, if it was a standard P Bass, a major pain and job to fix a wiring issue.

Sadly, we live in a time of plenty of jobs and plenty of low paying jobs and workers go from one place to another at a blink of an eye. Many inexperienced and careless workers at many companies. (It's a big reason why I just about no longer eat at restaurants, poor service and mediocre food.) A time of "low expectations".

 

[JutMitch]

This is unfortunate but i'd rather have a slight gap than too tight as the humidity will tighten in the neck into the pocket, if it already fits perfect, you risk the change of getting neck pocket fractures if the humidity goes up. I unfortunately am done buying fender as the QC has been suspect at least on the basses i've acquired. I figured i'd give them one more shot with a new Fender Roadworn 60's. Yes, it's MIM but still a $1200-1300 bass. It arrived with a large crack extending off the E string tuner. This bass was shipped in a factory hardcase.

 

[GreyBeard]

Just recieved my new American VintageII P Bass.I love the look, sound and how it plays but I'm disappointed in the quality.I have several MIM Jazz and P basses purchased in the late 90's that have always served me well with no quality issues or fuss.
Had to do substantial set up and solder a disconnected wire on the input jack, which really doesn't bug me. My issue is with a gap on the left side of the Bass between the neck and the pocket probably the width of a business card.
American Fenders have been something I couldn't afford, just wondering if this is normal and if this may have anything to do with how thin the Nitrocellulose paint is.
New to TalkBass, thanks for any advice I get, Jimmy

My 70's p-bass had a gap big enough to store my picks, very convenient. You can either send it back or live with it. Sh*t happens.

 

[HUDSONRIVERJIMI]

I'm not recommending that you do this..........but, you can loosen the neck, cut a piece of paper that is about half the thickness of your gap on the left side, cut the paper into a shape that won't be noticed and fit it into the right hand side of the neck pocket (in a discreet way so it won't be seen). This will move the neck over a smidgen and perhaps will divide the gap between both sides and won't be as noticeable. Or, you could just live with it as is. Pretty common for Fender necks to have some degree of gaps.............as already mentioned by experienced TBers.

I don't know if I'm making any sense. Hopefully

 

[HUDSONRIVERJIMI]

All the sound advice here has put me at ease. Yes, what you say makes total sense. I have a set of Fender flatwounds coming. Think I'll give that suggestion a shot once I remove the strings. Thank you.
I am clear that this is not a "Boutique" Bass, Fenders are how they are and wood expands and contracts. I get it. Been hearing for years about the quality differences between American and foreign Fenders. I just had different expectations after all the hype that I have believed for years.

 

[HUDSONRIVERJIMI]

I'm not recommending that you do this..........but, you can loosen the neck, cut a piece of paper that is about half the thickness of your gap on the left side, cut the paper into a shape that won't be noticed and fit it into the right hand side of the neck pocket (in a discreet way so it won't be seen). This will move the neck over a smidgen and perhaps will divide the gap between both sides and won't be as noticeable. Or, you could just live with it as is. Pretty common for Fender necks to have some degree of gaps.............as already mentioned by experienced TBers.

I don't know if I'm making any sense. Hopefully

The wiring issue would have been the bigger problem for me. The gap is, to me, not a huge deal and IMO part of having a bolt-on instrument. I've seen instruments with damaged finish from neck pockets that are too tight and the neck being removed, possible with some swelling from being in different humidity from the factory. I don't subscribe to the idea that a tight neck pocket perimeter contributes to "good tone".

Is the gap on the other side of the neck non-existent? I'm guessing the neck was screwed on shifted more to one side than the other, which you may be able to remedy as described by @bassdude51 I personally wouldn't worry about it though.

Yes. Non existent. Not looking for super tight fit. I guess just being anal. All the other cheap MIM's I have are just right. The pick up on this one sounds killer though.

 

[HUDSONRIVERJIMI]

I'm not recommending that you do this..........but, you can loosen the neck, cut a piece of paper that is about half the thickness of your gap on the left side, cut the paper into a shape that won't be noticed and fit it into the right hand side of the neck pocket (in a discreet way so it won't be seen). This will move the neck over a smidgen and perhaps will divide the gap between both sides and won't be as noticeable. Or, you could just live with it as is. Pretty common for Fender necks to have some degree of gaps.............as already mentioned by experienced TBers.

I don't know if I'm making any sense. Hopefully

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

Weld the gap shut and scotch the solder back on.