Quite often we'll see something like this: "I'm thinking of buying a 4-string thumb bass from a friend. It plays great, but due to lack of wood care treatment ( I think!!) there seems to be what looks like a very small crack, about 6 inches long from the headstock to the neck. Can a craftsman rectify this, or will this only get worse eventually affecting playability?"

Sometimes what looks like a crack is really only a natural lamination swell at the glue line. This almost always happens when the wood isn't waxed each month as suggested in the Warwick Owner's Manual. It's easy to fix using 400-grit sandpaper on a sanding block (rubber is best), then finish with 3M Scotch-Brite Scouring pads - the green ones. After the wood is even & smooth, wax the bass with Warwick Surface Finisher, let it dry 15 minutes & buff with a soft cloth.

If it actually is a crack, it probably happened because the bass was dropped or too much pressure was applied to the headstock - the tilt back headstock is designed for tone & ease of use, however this is the weakest point in the wood. Happily, cracks to the headstock/neck area can be repaired by a good guitar tech. The glue lines usually don't show much & are stronger than the original wood when done properly. If it is a crack & you have to get it repaired, you would typically pay in the area of $50.00 to $100.00 to have it done right. Of course it will affect the resale value should you ever sell it, so keep that in mind when your working out the price with your friend.

Email your tech questions to: DBGTech@danabgoods.com