Deciding on a graphite neck...

Kael · #1 05-18-2009, 08:42 PM

The neck on my fretless J needs replacing. Actually it is a fretless P neck, but I have it mounted on a J bass. The truss rod is maxed. I've popped a few washers on and that bought me some more play, but now it is bowing out some again. I think that I am through trying to futz with this thing. It has a slight dead spot that bothers me anyway.

I am looking pretty hard at graphite necks right now. I'd rather not have to deal with this little truss rod issue again. Any tonal changes probably won't bother me as I epoxy the fingerboard on my fretless basses and generally approve of the tonal changes that makes. The thought of reduced dead spots is also appealing. I am REALLY sensitive to those suckers.

As I see it the only three brands are Moses, Status and Modulus.

Moses
Pro: Cheapest.
Con: Reputed to have crummy customer service. Generally seems to be the least well made of the three, although not exactly chopped liver.

Status
Pro: I can get a 1 5/8th" P bass neck instead of 1 1/2". I generally prefer that nut width. I can live with 1 1/2" but 1 5/8" is better for me.
Cons: Longer wait as they told me they had no lined fretless necks ready at the moment. Shipping expenses + tax makes more expensive. Flatter radius fingerboard.

Modulus
Pro: Seems to be regarded as highest quality.
Cons: Almost twice the price of the Moses.

My searching for reviews/info on here (yes I did a search so can the "use the search function" replies) has gotten me thus far. Is there anything I am missing between these neck manufacturers? If anyone has experience they want to relate in comparing the three (or at least two) I'd like to hear it.

bass12 · #2 05-18-2009, 09:05 PM

My only personal experience with graphite is courtesy of my Status S2. All I can say is that, according to my bass tech, it is considerably less "plasticky" sounding then most of the graphite-neck basses he has worked on. I generally favour jazz basses (my main basses are a Fender and a Sadowsky) and I really like the sound of my Status (and find the neck to be one of the nicest playing of the basses I've tried). Be warned, however, that graphite does not equal "dead spot free". Both the Status and Modulus websites address this fact and various people on this forum have discussed their experiences with dead spots on all of the brands you've mentioned.

elgecko · #3 05-18-2009, 09:43 PM

I own three Moduli and just sold a Moses necked bass. I clearly prefer Modulus necks but the Moses wasn't really that bad. The plain matte finish of the Moses always struck me as plasticky and definitely doesn't "feel" as nice a Modulus, but it did give the tonal/stability benefits of the price without the high price...maybe with a little less brightness.

When I got the Moses, it had a dead spot. When I pulled the neck, it was clear that someone did a crappy install. The threaded inserts weren't flush with the back of the neck, preventing solid contact between the neck and the body. A little Dremel work and 10 minutes later, the dead spot was gone. So watch out for that if you go with the Moses.

Honestly, the Moses isn't a bad neck if installed correctly. If you're low on funds, definitely go Moses without hesitation. If you have some cash to burn, look into Modulus or Status, which I've never tried but would love to.

62bass · #4 05-19-2009, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elgecko

I own three Moduli and just sold a Moses necked bass. I clearly prefer Modulus necks but the Moses wasn't really that bad. The plain matte finish of the Moses always struck me as plasticky and definitely doesn't "feel" as nice a Modulus, but it did give the tonal/stability benefits of the price without the high price...maybe with a little less brightness.

When I got the Moses, it had a dead spot. When I pulled the neck, it was clear that someone did a crappy install. The threaded inserts weren't flush with the back of the neck, preventing solid contact between the neck and the body. A little Dremel work and 10 minutes later, the dead spot was gone. So watch out for that if you go with the Moses.

Honestly, the Moses isn't a bad neck if installed correctly. If you're low on funds, definitely go Moses without hesitation. If you have some cash to burn, look into Modulus or Status, which I've never tried but would love to.

I used a Moses on a Stingray and got a decent quality neck with the reputed advantages of graphite at a not too bad price. Customer service was good and I got the neck quickly. Compared to Modulus and Status necks I've tried it didn't feel or look as good, but it was fine and I had no problems installing it. It stood up with no issues for the 8 or so years I kept the bass. I only sold it because I just couldn't get much into the sound of the Stingray.

I also installed a Moses neck on a G&L L2000 and that went well except for having to shave the route on the G&L a bit. Quality and service was the same.

After all this I prefer the sound and feel of a good wooden neck. I did really like the composite wood/graphite neck on a Modulus bass I tried once though. That sounded and felt more like a wooden neck. I don't know if Modulus sells that neck.

For a couple friends of mine who are really into slapping but don't play much else, the graphite neck on my Stingray was the bomb.

WarriorJoe7 · #5 05-19-2009, 04:18 AM

the modulus with the wood on the back is the genesis neck and i think they do sell it.

the status and modulus necks are great. Never tried the moses.

62bass · #6 05-19-2009, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarriorJoe7

the modulus with the wood on the back is the genesis neck and i think they do sell it.

the status and modulus necks are great. Never tried the moses.

That's right-the Genesis. Thanks. Excellent neck.

Zooberwerx · #7 05-19-2009, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 62bass

That's right-the Genesis. Thanks. Excellent neck.

+1. The Genesis utilizes a "T" type graphite spine with wood inlays on the back and a wood FB. Don't know if composite is available. The most "natural" feeling neck IMO is the Zon with phenowood FB.

Riis

benayrsty · #8 05-19-2009, 12:05 PM

I say go with a status graphite neck. I've heard nothing but horrible things about moses including the quality of the necks, customer service sucks, etc... It's my understanding that most modulus necks do not have a trus rod which could lead to problems in the future that are unfixable. Not to mention they will be the most expensive. Status on the other hand has a double trus rod setup for fine tuning, and excellent customer reviews, along with a decent price range. Good luck man.

Zooberwerx · #9 05-19-2009, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benayrsty

I say go with a status graphite neck. I've heard nothing but horrible things about moses including the quality of the necks, customer service sucks, etc... It's my understanding that most modulus necks do not have a trus rod which could lead to problems in the future that are unfixable. Not to mention they will be the most expensive. Status on the other hand has a double trus rod setup for fine tuning, and excellent customer reviews, along with a decent price range. Good luck man.

AFAIK, modern Modulus necks do have truss rod / neck relief systems. Pretty sure its standard nowadays. I share the same concerns, as well.

Riis

WarriorJoe7 · #10 05-19-2009, 08:59 PM

Modulus started putting truss rods in all their necks in early 1999. I have seen one 1999 flea bass without a truss rod and its serial number was like 990008. I have owned another fleas bass that was 1999 and it had a truss rod.

Kael · #11 05-19-2009, 09:04 PM

All the modulus replacement necks I've seen have been truss rod equipped. Not that I've really seen that many.

Leaning to either the Status or the Modulus right now. I'm sure that the Moses is a fine neck, but I'd rather spend a few extra bucks to not have that niggling doubt about my purchase.

Can anyone tell me what the finish on the back of the Status feels like? Is it closer to a satin or gloss feel? I know that the Modulus is closer to the satin feel.

PBass101 · #12 05-20-2009, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kael

All the modulus replacement necks I've seen have been truss rod equipped. Not that I've really seen that many.

Leaning to either the Status or the Modulus right now. I'm sure that the Moses is a fine neck, but I'd rather spend a few extra bucks to not have that niggling doubt about my purchase.

Can anyone tell me what the finish on the back of the Status feels like? Is it closer to a satin or gloss feel? I know that the Modulus is closer to the satin feel.

I believe Rob Green makes his basses available with different types of finishes; you ought to email him about it. I've sent him a bunch of lame fanboy emails asking about his basses and he always responds that day! Great communication.

elgecko · #13 05-20-2009, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarriorJoe7

Modulus started putting truss rods in all their necks in early 1999. I have seen one 1999 flea bass without a truss rod and its serial number was like 990008. I have owned another fleas bass that was 1999 and it had a truss rod.

I have a 2000 VJ without a truss rod. It was a warranty replacement for a 1998...I wonder if they a kept a few non-truss rod necks around post-1999 for that purpose

Zooberwerx · #14 05-20-2009, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PBass101

I believe Rob Green makes his basses available with different types of finishes; you ought to email him about it. I've sent him a bunch of lame fanboy emails asking about his basses and he always responds that day! Great communication.

I had a headless S-2 with a satinized neck. It was specified as such by the original owner. Really nice but the neck slowly took on a glossy sheen with repeated used. YMMV.

Riis