Neck radius, sizes, shapes, etc

Gear
6

(Fender necks are not all the same, not at all)

5 Likes
7

indeed, edited to be more specific

3 Likes
8

Yes, thank you, Laurent @terb . . . I was referring ONLY to the Fender Jazz Basses in my response to @bjams post above.

You are quite correct . . . big difference in feel between their P-bass and the J-bass necks! The Vintera '70s Jazz Bass listed on Sweetwater has a 7.25" radius neck.

It gets really confusing when it comes to the Fender Jazz neck “shapes”, though:

They have C . . . modern C . . . slim C . . . custom Thick C . . . and 60s C, in addition to the 70s C which is the 7.25" radius on that Vintera '70s Jazz . . . . :crazy_face:

The neck “feel” is very important . . . I also didn’t realize that Fender changed the neck radius back in the early 80’s, so thanks for increasing my knowledge base! :wink:

Cheers
Joe

6 Likes
9

Funny thing with necks…the finish on the neck is important. Most basses have a “glossy” finish on the neck, and while not a deal breaker at all, it is “sticky”. You get the slightest bit of moisture and your thumb sticks a bit. I was surprised because my Schecter has a matte finish (no gloss) and this makes the neck smooth and it glides better. It’s the tiniest little difference that I never would have noticed, and wasn’t even anything I thought of or looked for.

4 Likes
10

I am reluctant to add to this off topic in the Post Your Covers thread, but this talk about neck radius has me intrigued. Of all the basses I’ve owned or just picked up and played, neck width or radius never crossed my mind. I guess I don’t get why it even makes such a difference.
I’ll pay closer attention to such things in the future.

5 Likes
11

maybe another thread would be appropriate, yeah :grin:

@JoshFossgreen would it be possible to split the post at post#3565 to create a new thread ?called like “Neck radiuses, sizes, shapes, and other dimensional parameters” (probably not the best name)

thanks !
:v::grin:

7 Likes
12

Agreed!
@JoshFossgreen ?

5 Likes
13

Or just “Necks” :slight_smile:

7 Likes
14

Done, thanks for pinging me @terb!

6 Likes
15

Thanks for splitting this @JoshFossgreen and thanks @terb for suggesting it.

5 Likes
16

thank you @JoshFossgreen !

5 Likes
17

Some very interesting reading in this thread.
I started with a very slim and fast Ibanez which I truly believe helped me a lot in the beginning but now I’m fortunate enough to also have the wider P bass and much chunkier Rick to play.
In my head I’m not sure I would have done as well with these as the Ibanez as my first bass but is that all in my head?

6 Likes
18

I’m kind of the same mentally. I have small hands, so have convinced myself I should be on the thinner Jazz Bass neck and that I’ll never go above four strings. But I see kids playing big basses so know it’s probably just in my head.

5 Likes
19

This is what worries me the most about the Rickenbacker 4003 as I contemplate a purchase (whenever they get back in stock), @Mac . . . :neutral_face:

I really, really wish I could try one in person, but no luck so far.

Would you say that the Rick definitely feels thicker and chunkier than the P-bass? I’m staring at numbers right now and trying to convince myself that an extra eighth of an inch nut width won’t matter . . .

Maybe I just have a bad case of GAS . . . :roll_eyes:

Thanks
Joe

3 Likes
20

I don’t know what you would prefer, but it does make an obvious difference.

4 Likes
21

Thanks, @terb . . . like so many others, I like the Jazz bass neck a LOT :slight_smile:

I made a mistake when I bought that Gibson SG and I don’t want to repeat that experience!

Probably just a bad case of GAS after all . . . :wink:

Cheers
Joe

3 Likes
22

I know :face_with_hand_over_mouth:

more seriously, yeah the 38mm width is very popular, I’m not surprised you like your JB. I believe that you shouldn’t buy another bass without trying it first (or the same neck at least). just my opinion !

4 Likes
23

I found the transition from the P bass to the Rick as easy as and actually find it easier to play for many songs.
It would be good if you could get to try one out first but I wouldn’t be without mine

4 Likes
24

I have never thought about, nor even taken into consideration the nut width or neck radius when shopping for basses, until this topic popped up and piqued my curiosity. So I did some research on the basses I have owned and loved, including the one that is on a FedEx truck headed to my house. Here’s what I’ve found:

Yamaha BB series (235 and 735 that I owned):

  • Neck Radius: 600mm
  • Nut Width: 42.9768mm

Ibanez Fretless 5 string:

  • Neck Radius: 305mm
  • Nut Width: 45mm

Hofner Ignition:

  • Neck Radius: 304.8
  • Nut Width: 42.86

Ibanez AFB200 Hollow Body (I haven’t played it yet)

  • Neck Radius: 400mm
  • Nut Width: 41.9862mm

I haven’t listed any of the “no name” basses that have come and gone, nor the Stringray that I returned to Guitar Center because it arrived damaged.

All the above basses were playable and enjoyable. Despite the fact that the dimensions are all over the place, I never noticed any difference from one to the other.

So I guess I’m saying, those factors are not important to me, however I’m still interested in this topic. It’s very educational.

6 Likes
25

Hey, Pam @PamPurrs . . . no problem :slight_smile:

If you like the way a bass and its neck feels then it doesn’t matter what the specs are.

There you go! . . . :wink:

The reason I’m interested is only because I’m trying to stay as close as possible to the J-bass neck dimensions . . . it’s just me.

Cheers
Joe

6 Likes