Author Topic: Shaving a Neck Thinner (Read 188 times)

poor_nigel · « **on:** March 24, 2004, 11:12:42 AM »

I like the neck on my 20th much better than the neck on my Series II. Sooner or later my Series II is going to fly home and get gold plated and maybe have its logo inlaid.

Question: Can my Series II neck be shaved thinner to the thickness of the newer basses? I am thinking it might not be possible, as the truss rods might have been set to close to the back surface to have this done. Can it be done, and if so, would it require the whole bass to be refinished?

The bass could use a touch of buffing, but it really does not need to be refinished. Then again, the new finish will be quite clear, while the old finish is probably quite a few shades yellower. I know the price of getting it refinished, so, OK, I am braced, go ahead. . . . .

mica · « **Reply #1 on:** March 24, 2004, 12:52:27 PM »

Usually it's only another $75-150 to get some modification carving done, but it really needs a refin to look as nice as it did. Spot refinishing is possible, but we really don't like the look.

Next time the strings are off, take a set of calipers and measure how thick the necks are from the front of the fingerboard to the back of the neck. I should be able to tell if there will be enough room to recarve.

poor_nigel · « **Reply #2 on:** March 24, 2004, 01:00:51 PM »

Thanks Mica, I will do this. Well, right after I run to Sears to buy some calipers. It is a standard Series II for 1984, if that helps. I will get the exact measurements of both necks, just to be sure. I was thinking it would cost me $700 to $800 to have the neck shaved (Reshaped, if you will), so $1,100 to $1,200 ain't making me shake much for the whole job being done, especially when getting its logo inlaid would require striping off some of the finish, anyway.

poor_nigel · « **Reply #3 on:** March 25, 2004, 12:06:53 PM »

Hey Mica:

Series II: Just before the nut it measures exactly 7/8. At the 12th fret = 31/32nds.

20th Anniversary: Just before the dip at the end of the back of the neck is just a hair under 13/16. At the 12th fret = exactly 7/8.

The difference in thickness is not much, but enough to be quite significant to me. Let me know if other measurements are needed. Thanks.

mica · « **Reply #4 on:** March 25, 2004, 03:31:06 PM »

Before: .88 x .97
After: .81 x .88

It seems like your 20th Ann is a hair thinner than usual. We average between .85-.90 for the first fret thickness.

There's no problem carving the 12th fret+ to the .88ish region. I think we've got to be careful on the nut end of the Series II, we really don't want a refinish to turn into a new neck. I think we can take it to .85 and be safe, anything more and you risk not having enough meat behind the truss rods.

poor_nigel · « **Reply #5 on:** March 25, 2004, 10:43:35 PM »

My 20th has the best neck I have ever played. When I bought the Series II, I was going to sell the 20th, but just could not let go of it because of its neck. Now I need to think lots more about this. Knowing me, I will probably sit on it thinking for about a year, and then go ahead with it.

Looks like I will always be keeping the 20th, and that does not upset me, as it is a very good bass. Maybe it is the one I should be upgrading. . . Thank you very much for your input on this Mica.