RC-4 First build

[wokkaboy]

Hi Alan, I've never seen this happen and don't think there's many set neck bass kits so this could be a first this happening. The 3 kits I've built have all been bolt on necks. Obviously a bass neck has alot more tension on the neck and neck pocket than a guitar. So you say you filled the gaps created with more glue ? I'd make sure the gaps are filled with glue and give it 2 or 3 days to dry being winter. Try string it up and see what happens. Bracing with something stronger seems extreme. Hope more glue can solve the problem.
DB may also have ideas on a fix

[pablopepper]

Here's something interesting, there are legit Rics with set necks. The 4001S.

That section looks pretty close to what you see in the RC-4.

[lunaticthighs]

Yeah flooded it with extra glue and will let it sit for a while and see but it wasn't like I was stingy on the glue the first time though. Stuff was squirting out everywhere lol. Will ask db what he thinks but still thinking of a little brace across the front of the neck. There is a space about 10mm before it would interfere with the pup.
Bummer too as it was coming up nice and felt great to play.

[Gavin1393]

Titebond will glue wood in such a way that the bond is stronger than natural wood would typically have, so not sure your glue has failed.
Couple of things spring to mind, and may be obvious and I apologise in advance if you have taken these into account already.

The first is, how tight or loose was the truss rod before stringing up?
How 'finished' was the neck cavity and the neck where the neck was to sit inside the cavity. The neck pocket needs to be fairly 'raw' and a little rough. The section where the neck itself contact the neck pocket should have no finish on it at all and should also be fairly 'rough' (80 grit sandpaper is the finest you should go).

If these were all addressed in the build and glue process, then you possibly have a neck that for one or another reason has warped.

[lunaticthighs]

/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from Gavin1393 on July 31, 2014, 18:40
Titebond will glue wood in such a way that the bond is stronger than natural wood would typically have, so not sure your glue has failed.
Couple of things spring to mind, and may be obvious and I apologise in advance if you have taken these into account already.

The first is, how tight or loose was the truss rod before stringing up?
How 'finished' was the neck cavity and the neck where the neck was to sit inside the cavity. The neck pocket needs to be fairly 'raw' and a little rough. The section where the neck itself contact the neck pocket should have no finish on it at all and should also be fairly 'rough' (80 grit sandpaper is the finest you should go).

If these were all addressed in the build and glue process, then you possibly have a neck that for one or another reason has warped.

Truss rod was loose when first stringing and only adjusted slowly over a few days to get the strung neck straight.
Didn't finish the neck cavity at all so it was as rough as when it came. The heal of the neck may have had a little finish just at the point of where it met the body but nothing past there. I positioned the neck early on and marked it where it sat so I knew where to finish to.

[lunaticthighs]

/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from pablopepper on July 31, 2014, 11:32
Here's something interesting, there are legit Rics with set necks. The 4001S.

That section looks pretty close to what you see in the RC-4.

Actually rickenbacker 4001 and 4003 are neck through not set necks it seems so wouldn't have the same stresses.

[lunaticthighs]

Ok probably overkill but didn't want to risk it happening again.

[pablopepper]

/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from lunaticthighs on August 2, 2014, 22:12

Actually rickenbacker 4001 and 4003 are neck through not set necks it seems so wouldn't have the same stresses.

That's what I thought also, that's why I posted that pic.

"All of the 4001, 4003 and 4004 basses have neck-through body construction. The model 4000, many of the 4001S basses and all of the 4005 have set necks. Set necks are necks that are bonded (glued) into a tight neck pocket of the body, like a Gibson Les Paul guitar."

More info here: http://www.joeysbassnotes.com/Fakericks.htm

[lunaticthighs]

/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from pablopepper on August 4, 2014, 07:27

/<\\/p>[/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/]<\\/p>/Quote from lunaticthighs on August 2, 2014, 22:12

Actually rickenbacker 4001 and 4003 are neck through not set necks it seems so wouldn't have the same stresses.

That's what I thought also, that's why I posted that pic.

"All of the 4001, 4003 and 4004 basses have neck-through body construction. The model 4000, many of the 4001S basses and all of the 4005 have set necks. Set necks are necks that are bonded (glued) into a tight neck pocket of the body, like a Gibson Les Paul guitar."

More info here: http://www.joeysbassnotes.com/Fakericks.htm

Well there you go I have learnt a new fact today cheers.
Mind you if I now can't remember how to tie my shoelaces due to said new fact you are in serious trouble mister

[pablopepper]

Remember when I took that home wine-making course and I forgot how to drive? Haha.