c. 1976 Electra Corsair Bass

This is how I got the bass... was disheartened by the neck damage, but looked at it as a challenge. The configuration of this bass is not described in any Electra brochure. 74-76 were bolt necks, and 77 was neck thru. This bass was a combo bolt/set neck from the factory, to allow for the neck pup routing. This unfortunately is what created the weak point that cause the neck failure.

This was the cool bumper sticker on the original case....

And so the neck repair began. I drilled out the screw holes in the neck side of the heel, and filled with a walnut dowel. I also glued the crack.

Next I needed to tie both parts of the heel together. I drilled 2 holes into each piece of the heel, and fit dowels in, to tie the 2 pieces together. Then I scraped all the finish off the neck and pocket, where they touched. (not how it was done at the factory). All parts got a good layer of Titebond III glue. Installed the neck, and put in the neck screws to help hold it along with a clamp. It is rock solid now.

The Final Install...

Parts:
  • All Parts Black pickguard for pre-74 Rickenbacker 4001 bass. (already had this from a previous project)
  • Hipshot replacement bridge, black aluminum
  • Pickguardian bridge pickup surround
  • New CTS pots, pup selector, jack, knobs
  • Made a black truss rod cover, with silver vinyl Electra logo.
    The Neck pup needed a ground wire re-soldered, and the bridge pup needed the magnets reglued in place. The hole in the pickguard for the neck pup had to be enlarged slightly to fit the Electra pup. The bridge pup had to have a bit of plastic removed from the ends to fit the new surround. Thankfully, the pup still fit, even with the dowels blocking the drill holes for the magnets...