Shaving the back profile on my jazz basses

blockinlay · #1 02-25-2009, 10:33 AM

Ok, so this is my first post and I have a question.
I've been playing the bass for about six months now, and really like it. Been buying, selling, and trying basses to find what I like. I really like the Geddy Lee jazz bass neck for the thin back contour.
Now I want to shave the back of a couple newer USA jazz basses I have to be the same contour.
I took a micrometer and measured the depth of all the necks, and it seems like an easy enough venture to sand the backs to match the Geddy Lee. I've worked with wood before, and have built a few guitars in my day. I'm debating on just buying a Warmoth neck and working that, before taking the sanding block to these Fender necks.
I figure if I do it, I'll just respray the back generic clear lacquer, wet sanding as necessary between coats till I have a good ten coat buildup. If all is good, do one final coat,
let dry overnite, then wetsand the next day with 2500 grit, and, to finish up, polish with compound. I'd tape off the fretboard and head through the whole process, and blend the new lacquer to any old lacquer with the fine wetsanding and compound.

What do you all think? Any tips from other DIY's?

EagleMoon · #2 02-25-2009, 11:54 AM

Just be aware that Warmoth has the graphite rods in their necks, as well as the new USA model Fenders. That might pose a problem with getting the neck as thin. I've sanded down quite a few bass necks in the past but they didn't have the rods. I've also seen a few necks people have shaved and the truss rod came through the back. So be very careful.

TimWilson · #3 02-25-2009, 11:58 AM

In my experience, the negligible added comfort of the smaller neck is far outweighed by the the loss of stiffness and stability. My suggestion: Leave it alone and take the time to get used to it.

mongo2 · #4 02-25-2009, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EagleMoon

Just be aware that Warmoth has the graphite rods in their necks

Warmoth uses two steel stiffening bars and one steel adjustable double expanding trussrod.

Slax · #5 02-25-2009, 12:41 PM

Couldn't you just put a GL neck on your jazz instead?

blockinlay · #6 02-25-2009, 01:05 PM

I was wondering how deep the truss rod was cut, but I don't think the difference will cut through.
I have yet to try a G&L.
Here's the thickness I'm working with.
Lee 1st .805 - USA1 .834 - USA2 .812
Lee 3rd .780 - USA1 .854 - USA2 .845
Lee 5th .790 - USA1 .872 - USA2 .875
Lee 7th .817 - USA1 .894 - USA2 .890
Lee 9th .850 - USA1 .920 - USA2 .900
Lee 12th .890 - USA1 .941 - USA2 .935
The USA necks have rosewood. The thicker one is an FSR.
I can play on any neck, but the difference when playing the geddy neck compared to the others is much more noticable in comfort and and I play better.
I've been a tone freak on the guitar for almost 30 years, and have figured out what I like with guitar necks, maybe.
I'm a newbie to basses, so what do I know.
Would like to have a vintage jazz four bolt neck bass w/block inlays.

murphy · #7 02-25-2009, 09:00 PM

Those Geddy Lee necks are extremely slim and you could run into warping problems.
I sanded my 73 jazz neck to make it more comfortable.
Worked a treat.
Did it to an old P bass, guess I got carried away and saw the trussrod show through. Failed!!!
So a little is ok. but be very careful!

newbold · #8 02-25-2009, 09:53 PM

do you really need to?

can you get another neck?

You might wish you never did it.

**Pacman** · #9 02-25-2009, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimWilson

In my experience, the negligible added comfort of the smaller neck is far outweighed by the the loss of stiffness and stability. My suggestion: Leave it alone and take the time to get used to it.

This.

bassnyc1 · #10 02-26-2009, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slax

Couldn't you just put a GL neck on your jazz instead?

How does one go about getting a Geddy Lee Jazz neck? If it's possible, I'll buy 2 !!!

mrjim123 · #11 02-26-2009, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassnyc1

How does one go about getting a Geddy Lee Jazz neck? If it's possible, I'll buy 2 !!!

Good question. I've wondered too. I love the neck but don't like the black body. If I had the money I'd get a Geddy bass and a natural finish jazz bass, swap the necks, keep the natural bass with the Geddy neck (and add all black hardware), put the other one together and sell it.

GreggBummer · #12 02-26-2009, 05:55 AM

I heard it said somewhere that the Fender Jaguar necks are similar (or the same?) neck radius as the Geddy.

I have only played the Geddy... I have never messed with a Jag. Someone else may have a better idea.

jmain · #13 02-26-2009, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrjim123

Good question. I've wondered too. I love the neck but don't like the black body. If I had the money I'd get a Geddy bass and a natural finish jazz bass, swap the necks, keep the natural bass with the Geddy neck (and add all black hardware), put the other one together and sell it.

I really dig the natural black bnb look too. Wish they had this option available...in a 5.

Datsgor · #14 02-26-2009, 06:14 AM

I had a Warmoth neck that I took about an 8th of an inch flat off the back and the rounded the neck to match that. Did not have a problem exposing the stiffening bars and have never had a problem with the trueness of the neck. The truss rod does it's job fine. So, coming from someone who has actually done it.....a Warmoth neck worked for me. Peace.

xaxxat · #15 02-26-2009, 06:30 AM

Hey, if you want to change your neck contour, change it. 99% of this forum is about changing stuff...

Get an SX and practice on it. Those necks have a lot of meat on them. You could get the experience on them and then sell the bass and get most of your money back.

Or, you could just get a Peavey...

I have an SX j neck that I've shaved down to .8 @ the 1st and .9 @ the 12th frets. I haven't got around to doing the final shaping and finishing yet because I bought several Peaveys that have the neck I really like and am having too much fun with them. My SX neck will eventually go on an SX P/J that has a baseball bat neck.

Someone else here just reshaped their SX neck on a belt sander. If I can find the post, I'll link it.

There's always the risk of messing it up, but so what? You'll have fun doing it and will learn quite a bit too.

jgroh · #16 02-26-2009, 06:47 AM

Why dont you just sell one of the Jazz's and buy a Geddy (or just buy a used Geddy in addition to your basses)? I HAVE seen the necks pop up on ebay every now and again, but its not that frequent.

testing1two · #17 02-26-2009, 08:35 PM

I would simply order the neck from Warmoth or USACG to the Geddly Lee specs. You could easily sell a stock J-neck online and recoup some of the cost.

blockinlay · #18 02-27-2009, 06:20 AM

Thanks for the responses. I'm going to wait on modifying the Fenders, and just get over myself for my newbieness to the bass. I think I need to practice, to really see what I like. Took me years to figure what I liked on the guitar, and I'm still trying new things.

bassnyc1 · #19 02-28-2009, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by testing1two

I would simply order the neck from Warmoth or USACG to the Geddly Lee specs. You could easily sell a stock J-neck online and recoup some of the cost.

If I were to order a neck with Geddy Lee specs from Warmoth or USACG, would the specs from Fender's website be enough? (Radius, scale length, etc)

Also, my Jazz bass is a '75 reissue so it's got the 3 screw triangular neck plate. Do they make a neck for this?

bassnyc1 · #20 03-19-2009, 08:10 PM

Bump!