graphite neck

[Oric]

I am very happy with the tone of my MIM J-bass- it's got great pickups and a great bridge on it. The only thing that bothers me about it is the neck. It feels fine, but sometimes it can be temperamental. It has a crack, going from the top of the skunk stripe up about two inches, which I've had repaired, so it's like new. Also, the truss rod nut seems to be far in there- to where you can't see the actual shape of the outside of the nut- that bullet shape. I haven't really had much problems since I've gotten it repaired, but I have a hard time adjusting the truss rod, and it still worries me. Am I being unreasonable?

I'm thinking about the possibility of a graphite neck- and had a few questions about them also- would it affect the tone a lot, do they come with wooden fretboards? Any other comments would be nice too.

[62bass]

Originally Posted by Oric

I am very happy with the tone of my MIM J-bass- it's got great pickups and a great bridge on it. The only thing that bothers me about it is the neck. It feels fine, but sometimes it can be temperamental. It has a crack, going from the top of the skunk stripe up about two inches, which I've had repaired, so it's like new. Also, the truss rod nut seems to be far in there- to where you can't see the actual shape of the outside of the nut- that bullet shape. I haven't really had much problems since I've gotten it repaired, but I have a hard time adjusting the truss rod, and it still worries me. Am I being unreasonable?

I'm thinking about the possibility of a graphite neck- and had a few questions about them also- would it affect the tone a lot, do they come with wooden fretboards? Any other comments would be nice too.

A lot of truss rods are poorly designed when it comes to adjusting the nut. You have to use the right sized tool and not crank it when there is tension on the neck to avoid stripping the nut.

Otherwise the MIM Fender necks aren't all that bad. You can usually set them up pretty good and they don't seem to have a higher than usual percentage of lemons.

I've used graphite necks before as replacements. They do change the sound a bit. Usually a bit more top end which you can dial out on the bass or amp if you don't want it. More even sound from note to note. They don't shift with changes in humidity. I put a Moses graphite neck on an EB 1990 Stingray. It was an improvement in sound and never had a tuning problem unless I bumped the tuning pegs. It didn't feel quite as nice as the factory maple neck. I had to level and dress the frets to get them as good as the EB ones. It was ridiculously expensive by the time I paid shipping and duties and taxes and the difference in the Canadian dollar. All in all it wasn't worth it to me but I sold it to a slap and pop fanatic for better money because he claimed it was great for that.

I have to say though that it did record a bit better than the stock neck.

I wouldn't go to that expense for a MIM Fender unless you just love the bass and plan to keep it.

[Oric]

Originally Posted by 62bass

I wouldn't go to that expense for a MIM Fender unless you just love the bass and plan to keep it.

I do- it's not the most amazing bass in the world, but it's my first and has a good deal of sentimental value. And I still play it the most of my three basses.

[62bass]

Originally Posted by Oric

I do- it's not the most amazing bass in the world, but it's my first and has a good deal of sentimental value. And I still play it the most of my three basses.

Well, it's not an irreversible mod so you can always switch back if you don't like it.

Choice of necks is up to you. You'll get all sorts of recommendations about which neck is best. The Moses was a decent neck. Not quite as nice as the Modulus I tried on another bass but not nearly as expensive. I also tried what was apparently a Status neck on a bass from Germany. It was also excellent. I haven't checked prices lately on graphite necks but I think they're still up there.

If I decided to put a graphite neck on a Fender I'd probably go with a Modulus.

[Hoover]

Originally Posted by Oric

would it affect the tone a lot, do they come with wooden fretboards? Any other comments would be nice too.

My experiences come almost exclusively from Modulus graphite necks (plus Steinberger, but they don't sell aftermarket necks for Fenders), but based on the basses I've owned & played,

- Yes it would affect the tone a lot. Mostly for the better: more consistent tone and volume from note to note, extremely responsive to subtle playing articulation, solid fundamental and full harmonic spectrum from every note, did I mention the consistency? If you're a real old-skool fan it might be a bit bright or (gasp!) "sterile" sounding, but most bassist I know view these tonal differences as improvements.

- Yes they are available with wooden fretboards, at least from Modulus.

[Oric]

I'm starting to change my mind about a graphite neck, on my current bass, anyway. the cost is just too much for a bass I paid $280 for, and the neck has been a lot more solid since I got that crack repaired.
But I can certainly see a graphite neck in the future.

[groove pump]

I was in a shop one day and saw a Modulus fretless neck for sale that a guy had apparently tried out, but didn't keep. I knew that I was looking at a good deal on a superior neck that I'd want to try someday and when I finally had a good Jazz bass sitting around and collecting dust, I did the swap. It's insane to me at just how alive with sound a graphite neck can be (significant tone difference) and this one has even worked well for me playing out with my cover band. I've seen the price tags on new replacement graphite necks these days and I have to smile every time I sit with mine.

So my story is more about a neck that I scored for a project down the road and I have no regrets, but you sound like you've got a different situation going on. Yeah, a new graphite neck would obviously cost a lot, but the good news on your bass is that I don't think you need to shoot that high to make a major improvement.

I've also used a couple of Warmoth necks in my day and every time I try a stock Fender in a shop, I consistently shake my head and realize how much better my neck seems to work than even the US-made gear from Fender. When people talk about hot-rodding an axe, the first thing that pops into my noggin is improving the neck instead of the electronics due to the difference that I've seen in more than one of my instruments and the best news of all for you is that you ought to be able to track down a good second hand neck for a great price. Warmoth isn't the only source out there and I'll bet that if you shop around a bit, you can find a really good neck for your bass that you can actually afford.

[62bass]

Originally Posted by groove pump

I was in a shop one day and saw a Modulus fretless neck for sale that a guy had apparently tried out, but didn't keep. I knew that I was looking at a good deal on a superior neck that I'd want to try someday and when I finally had a good Jazz bass sitting around and collecting dust, I did the swap. It's insane to me at just how alive with sound a graphite neck can be (significant tone difference) and this one has even worked well for me playing out with my cover band. I've seen the price tags on new replacement graphite necks these days and I have to smile every time I sit with mine.

So my story is more about a neck that I scored for a project down the road and I have no regrets, but you sound like you've got a different situation going on. Yeah, a new graphite neck would obviously cost a lot, but the good news on your bass is that I don't think you need to shoot that high to make a major improvement.

I've also used a couple of Warmoth necks in my day and every time I try a stock Fender in a shop, I consistently shake my head and realize how much better my neck seems to work than even the US-made gear from Fender. When people talk about hot-rodding an axe, the first thing that pops into my noggin is improving the neck instead of the electronics due to the difference that I've seen in more than one of my instruments and the best news of all for you is that you ought to be able to track down a good second hand neck for a great price. Warmoth isn't the only source out there and I'll bet that if you shop around a bit, you can find a really good neck for your bass that you can actually afford.

I agree. All necks aren't equal and I believe that some otherwise similar looking necks can sound better than others. The thickness and stiffness of some wooden necks can affect sound in my experience. I never liked the skinny jazz bass neck for that reason when put on a Fender P. Others don't seem to mind it at all. I've got an old maple Godin neck on my 78 P now and it's a superior sounding neck than the original. The original finally gave up the ghost and was warping beyond an easy fix and needed a complete re fret.

[dmusic148]

What 62bass said. IMO the neck is the single biggest contributor to the sound of any electric bass, besides the player. Unless you radically change the pickup(s), like change a neck J pickup to a P, it's all about the neck. I'm a builder/tech/endless tinkerer and have owned a Status neck(still have), a Moses neck(still have) and when they were available as a Fender replacement, a Modulus neck(sold). I also own a Modulus Q4. They all sound good, they all sound different from each other, and they all sound different from wood, but Moses is the closest IMO. They are also generally heavier than wooden necks, except for Warmoth's with their steel stiffening bars, which I hate. Which may force you to replace your tuners with ultralights to get the balance back. Also be aware that the Status 'Jazz' neck has a 16" radius- not very jazzy. And in spite of what you may have heard, they DO have dead spots, and they DO require truss rod adjustments, but generally less often. The Status in particular needs fairly regular tweaking. So they aren't 'all that.' It's a trade-off. I'm back to looking for a wooden neck that'll give me what I want.