Compound radius questions.

[Mike M.]

This is pretty new territory for me. I'm considering a compound radius replacement neck for my Fender MIM 5 string Active Deluxe. I like how the bass sounds but I've never really come to be at ease with the neck despite having it shimmed and setup by a tech who's done wonders on my other basses.

Played some of the new Fender American Deluxe 5 string Jazz basses with the compound radius and wow! For me, these were thee most comfortable 5 string necks I've come across. But those proce tags are a bit heafty for my liking.

Just don't know much about the compound radius necks in general. Any setup problems or any other issues I should be concerned about?

Any info would be most helpful.

[AmadeusXeno]

The setup with a compound radius neck is the same as any other neck. The only differance between a compound radius neck and a regular neck is the coupound radius is more rounded on the fretboard by the nut and flatens out some on the higher frets. As far as how much one cost I'm not sure. As long as you get one that is made for your type of bass there should be no real issues. Hope this helps.

[Akami]

No difference in setup and the only time you'll know you have it is when you're playing.

[darkstorm]

Main company doing great compound radius necks is Jackson. Theres are very nice for both basses and guitars. Same easy action setup as any other qaulity bass designed with low action in mind.

[Mike M.]

Thanks, gang. Thanks Darkstorm for the Jackson recommendation, as I didn't know they made compound radius necks. I see that USA Guitars makes them also.

Not totally comminted yet....still doing the homework. Just hope that if I do pull the triger that it was worth it. I know that just because one particular bass feels a certain was it doesn't mean that the next one will. So we'll see.

[Showdown]

What is the advantage of a compound radius neck on a bass?

I know the idea on a guitar is that chords are easier on a more curved fingerboard, so it is more curved in the lower frets, and soloing is easier on a flatter board (and bends are smoother) so it becomes flatter as it goes up the neck where most people solo.

This doesn't seem to be applicable to bass, so there must be another benefit I'm missing.

[Randyt]

My new 6xr will have a 17-22" neck on it...easier for soloing/chording etc...there is no significant difference in set up...although I do find them easier to set up..

[Akami]

Originally Posted by darkstorm

Main company doing great compound radius necks is Jackson. There's are very nice for both basses and guitars. Same easy action setup as any other quality bass designed with low action in mind.

Warmoth has been making compound radius necks since the 80's and everything I've seen from them has been very good quality.

Originally Posted by Showdown

What is the advantage of a compound radius neck on a bass?

I know the idea on a guitar is that chords are easier on a more curved fingerboard, so it is more curved in the lower frets, and soloing is easier on a flatter board (and bends are smoother) so it becomes flatter as it goes up the neck where most people solo.

This doesn't seem to be applicable to bass, so there must be another benefit I'm missing.

I'm with you in that I don't see much benefit for bass either and I think that sometimes people get mesmerized with the idea of something new, even though there may be no benefit for their application.

In guitars it was really cool for a while to get scalloped fingerboards, but it was smoke and mirrors, because for far less money, far less labor, you could have higher frets, which gives the exact same benefit of a scalloped fingerboard - higher clearance to keep your fingers from dragging on the fingerboard.

Main benefit of scalloped fingerboards was bragging rights, and although I see benefit for guitars when it comes to compound radius, I see none for bass, at least when talking about four bangers.