Quote:
Originally Posted by RP50  I have smallish hands and am considering buying a Road Worn 60's Jazz Bass neck and having it put onto the body of my early 80's P Bass. Is this possible without ruining the bass? The one I'm thinking of getting is described as a Type C neck. I found a great sized (thin) neck on a new Squier Jazz Bass and it is described as a C neck. My other question is, is there a standard for C necks and would the one I'm thinking of buying be that thin or are there variations within the C Types? Thanks. |
Hand size is not a real issue given the right technique, though comfort and preference are, IMHO.
I think you should measure the width of your P-bass neck at the nut. Beware of the A, B, C, designations, as they have changed meaning over the years (see some info below). The question, IMHO, is the neck width at the nut. To quote provide.net's great Fender site:
"Neck Width.
From March 1962 to 1969, Fender marked their necks with an "official" neck width letter at the butt of the neck (in front of the date code). The "B" neck width is the normal width, as used on about 99% of all Fenders from this period. All other sizes were available by special order only. Also all pre-1962 Fender necks have a 1 5/8" nut width (though I'm sure there are some exceptions, but none I have seen).
A = 1 1/2" wide at the nut.
B = 1 5/8" wide at the nut (normal size).
C = 1 3/4" wide at the nut.
D = 1 7/8" wide at the nut."
see,
http://home.provide.net/~cfh/fender.html
BTW, many, but not all Fender bass necks are interchangeable. I wish I could give you detailed guidance on that (perhaps others can), but I don't know enough except to advise some caution. Simply put, IME all Fender bass necks are not always compatible with all Fender bass bodies, though I have an 2001 MIJ P-bass "B" neck that fits my '71 P-bass like it was made for it--go figure--though I might add that the '69 "B" (medium width at the nut, 1 5/8") neck I have on it actually sounds way way way better, and I am not the only one to notice that--so sound is an issue you will have to deal with, too.
I think it is likely that a RW Jazz neck will fit an MIA 80's P-bass. That would be like an old A-neck being stuck on an old C neck (1.75" at the nut) P-bass--if in fact your current P-bass has a wide nut neck. Measure it and let us know. And please post pics of what you are doing.
Ps. A, B, C, etc. nut width and C neck shape does not affect whether or not a neck will fit the pocket of your P-bass. I am sorry to say it is a bit more imponderable than that.
