So I have this '78 Musicmaster bass that I've been playing for about 17 years. Always loved this bass and it was the first short scale I'd ever seen.

Well, it's been pretty reliable over time but it seems that over the last two years or so there's been at least 4 occasions where I go to play it at a gig and I have a "muffled" or distorted sound. Turns out that after I have the luthier check it out the neck needs to be adjusted, a simple twist and it's all better. After this occurred the first time at a gig I bought a back up bass after playing for so many years with only one bass and no issues. And yes I've had it at 3 different luthier's/shops and all have told me the same thing, just a small "tweak" to the neck and now you're good to go.

So my question is to all of you who play a "vintage" or older instrument, is this something that I can expect to continue for as long as I own this bass, kind of a sign of it's advanced years? I've really enjoyed this bass but I'm not one that likes to tinker with them, just play them. And I've never really understood how to do that myself.

Like I said, just a question for you guys who have experience in this sort of thing. I have a '97 Squier Musicmaster that has been reliable as you could want. And truthfully I think it may be smoother and built better than the '78 Fender. If this constant tweaking is something I can expect than I'd rather sell it than keep doing that. Use the Squier as my main bass and get a different backup.

Thanx

I am not familiar with bases but guitars are pretty much the same thing. in my opinion " just my opinion here" I believe that the neck dries out really bad over the years and becomes more susceptible to climate changes. my father plays this old LP JR and he was having the same issues. so I put a humidifier in the case for a while and it seems to have stopped. I also put a little fret dr on his fingerboard. not allot but a lite coat. so you could try that.

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I must presume some things here like the neck having never been adjusted for the majority of the years you've had the bass until recently. Having said this, the vast majority of necks need some kind of periodic tweak to keep them straight. Over time, many a neck's wood(s) settle down, continue to dry out and harden, thus stabilizing to where if the instrument hasn't been subjected to any extreme changes, be it environmental or experiencing different brands/gauges of strings or action changes, the need for these tweaks become more infrequent. Hold this thought.

The vast majority of players are just that, players. They do not concern themselves with the structural minutiae of their instruments unless (and just like in your case), something is noticeably different with their instrument than what they are used to with it. Of course, this not knowing about an instrument's structural technicalities could be anywhere from detrimental to irrelevant per the individual instrument. I must emphasize here, we are discussing players, not techs or luthiers here and so, ignorance does not necessarily come into play.

Per my first paragraph, even if a lengthy period of time went by without a given neck being adjusted, oftentimes and depending on the scope of the adjustment, the "settled-down-ness" of the wood has been thrown into upheaval. All those years of it being undisturbed and firming up has just gone out the window to where the settling in tweaking must begin again to varying and albeit, an abbreviated degree; again, depending on the individual neck. So, not to worry, this is normal and sooner than later, your neck should once again stabilize to a more favorable reliability.

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Thanx for the insights.

I have had the same gauge strings on for a long time now. We're talking years because I don't like a bright twangy sound, our band is 3 pc and I like it to be low and rumbly to fill that space during a guitar solo.

A humidifier in the case might be a good idea too.

Once I get it back I'll see what happens.

Glad to help and good luck!

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