I have a newbie question?

[dcbluesbass]

I have a Knilling 3/4 bass and I just starting lessons. My question is, What is the difference between a E-flat vs D neck? What was confused by the statement. Does it have something to do with the scale of the neck?

Thanks,
Dcbluesbass

[mesmithnm]

It refers to the length of the neck past the heel - move your hand along the neck until your thumb can't go any further because it contacts the heel of the neck and finger the note on the G string with your first finger. If it's an Eb, it's an Eb neck - if it's a D, it's a D neck

[dcbluesbass]

Ok, Thank you. Is that a problem as I progress in playing?

[Jsn]

Originally Posted by dcbluesbass

Ok, Thank you. Is that a problem as I progress in playing?

Nah, it's just something to get used to. If you get used to a D neck and then pick up an Eb neck, you'll probably find you'll need to make adjustments on your fingering for proper intonation. But given the nonstandardization of uprights (one of the reasons I like 'em), there are always such adjustments to be made between instruments.

[uptonbass]

Originally Posted by mesmithnm

If it's an Eb, it's an Eb neck - if it's a D, it's a D neck

I like that...spot on!

dcbluesbass For now just play the bass, a lot... and then play some more. Questions like this often answer themselves in time.

In making our basses and having players that want both Eb and D, in my mind I think of it more that proportionately the Eb neck is longer...without changing the string length. More of the string length is over the neck and not the body. But that does not mean we change anything on the body of bass or f hole location either FWIW the D on your bass given any string length is 1/3 or .333 repitan of the vibrational length. An Eb being about .355 repitan

For your future, my advice is not to get caught up on either and never pass on a good bass if it's not what you are used to. What you are used to is just that...a small habit that can be easily worked around. Of course we all have a preference though.

[Martin Sheridan]

Originally Posted by dcbluesbass

Ok, Thank you. Is that a problem as I progress in playing?

Not in my view, but I'm not a teacher and many teachers really don't like Eb necks.

One of the very best basses I've ever seen was an very old and very valuable Italian bass with an E neck!

[Will Yager]

My teacher's bass has a strange heel. It's somewhere in between an Eb and a D.

[dcbluesbass]

Thanks for all the information. I'm having fun trying to learn to play a DB. I've played electric for 30+ years, this is a new challenge.

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

Originally Posted by Martin Sheridan

Not in my view, but I'm not a teacher and many teachers really don't like Eb necks......

That may, in fact be true. It is important for a beginning player to be able to locate the D on the G string, A on D etc to check intonation. IMO, this is helpful but not a reason to buy one bass over the other.
I just bought a bass with an Eb neck and an thrilled to find that the octave is much easier to hit. The F on the G string is also directly over the bottom of the neck, where it is slightly below on my other bass.
Point? There are trade offs everywhere. Learn to play the bass you have and don't get hung up on this issue. Developing muscle memory through making proper position shifts is where it's at. That will help you quickly adjust to any bass.