What's the best value Jazz neck?

grobe · #1 10-20-2010, 10:20 AM

All Parts, Mighty Mite, Warmoth, etc. I'm looking for a one piece maple jazz neck. Any others? Thanks.

Slowgypsy · #2 10-20-2010, 10:55 AM

Here's another brand that has a very good reputation....
http://www.usacustomguitars.com/

JasonLamb · #3 10-20-2010, 11:06 AM

i had ordered an allparts bound and blocked maple neck and it was terrible...as in the tuner holes had gouges from the drill and the blocks were painted on and the gloss finish was fairly poor looking...perhaps it was a lemon. I sent it back and never mounted it, so i cannot comment on the sound..i also have a warmoth and it is a really nice neck...i found that the standard jazz neck is a perfect fit/feel for a p bass..if it was for a jazz i would go with the new slim profile jazz neck.

RPIcka · #4 10-20-2010, 11:10 AM

USA Custom Guitars is the only way to go.

grobe · #5 10-20-2010, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPIcka

USA Custom Guitars is the only way to go.

Really? Better necks than Warmoth, or better value? They seem pretty close in price.

**Syco_bass** · #6 10-20-2010, 01:00 PM

I have/had necks from both Warmoth and USA Custom Guitars. You really can't go wrong with either however, I think I like USA better for a couple of reasons.

1. less work I have to do. USA rounds the edges and bevels the frets at no charge.
2. I like the "standard C" contour of the USA necks and I can order the neck as thin or thick as I want. (front to back) vs. the "assymentrical" contour of the Warmoth necks.

However, if you can't make/cut your own nut, you'll save some cash by having Warmoth do it for you. IMO the nut shouldn't cut and installed until a trial fit is done and neck is ready to bolt onto the body. Then again, Warmoth does a pretty good job.

grobe · #7 10-20-2010, 01:38 PM

Thanks, Syco. So with USA Custom, you can't order the neck with a blank nut. Is that what you are saying? Better to have a local luthier slot it for me with neck installed?

recreate.me · #8 10-20-2010, 01:55 PM

So far all i have used is a Mighty Mite Jazz neck, it was a rosewood fretboard, but i paid something like 75$ on ebay new.

I'm pretty happy with it, it plays really nice, its a bit thicker front to back then other jazz necks but is still really comfortable. I would buy it again.

**Syco_bass** · #9 10-21-2010, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grobe

Thanks, Syco. So with USA Custom, you can't order the neck with a blank nut. Is that what you are saying? Better to have a local luthier slot it for me with neck installed?

That's correct. A local luthier can set the neck and cut the nut for you. You can order a pre-cut nut from several different places, but I prefer to cut and shape my own.

good luck.

jumbodbassman · #10 10-21-2010, 12:30 PM

Best value or best product.....

warmoth neck. i have never heard anyone complain about their quality. but they are very pricey. i have had about 15-18 over the last 25 years or so and they have never failed. actually just put my first warmoth into a new old project.

joeyl · #11 10-21-2010, 03:56 PM

I like most of them Allparts, USACG, even Mighty Mite, but I choose Warmoth just because they are so stable. After spending years tweaking rods on Fender necks, I find it awesome to just set the Warmoth's relief and leave it there. It does not move when the weather changes like my Fenders. I think it is the most stable "wood" neck you can get....

grobe · #12 10-25-2010, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jumbodbassman

but they are very pricey.

Just priced out an "in stock" neck and it came out to $255 with vintage tint gloss. Seems like the way to go.

blipndub · #13 10-25-2010, 04:55 PM

Warmoth prices are okay if you can do you own finishing. That's what I do because I like a thin nitro or oil finish. The standard warmoth necks are quite chunky as stated, feel like a p bass. If you want a slimmer jazz bass feel USCG or the warmoth slim. I've had good and bad luck with mighty mite. Good for the money, but that's about it. I like the feel of the allparts necks too they have the nice slim taper you associate with a jazz bass.

guitarhuckster1 · #14 10-26-2010, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeyl

I choose Warmoth just because they are so stable...

Warmoth necks also tend to be heavier than other necks which might be a problem on a light-weight body.

joeyl · #15 10-27-2010, 12:10 PM

meh, I used the Warmoth neck on a 4 pound body and it balances fine. I think that you can have a problem if you use heavy exotic woods for the neck with the regular size tuners, I stick with maple/maple or maple/pau ferro/rosewood, and ultralite Hipshots.

interstatejoe · #16 10-27-2010, 02:55 PM

+1 on Warmoth. Musikraft makes nice J necks too, I snagged a killer bloodwood/ebony Musikraft J neck on ebay for under $100.

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeyl

meh, I used the Warmoth neck on a 4 pound body and it balances fine. I think that you can have a problem if you use heavy exotic woods for the neck with the regular size tuners, I stick with maple/maple or maple/pau ferro/rosewood, and ultralite Hipshots.

My warmoth has a bubinga neck with Schaller tuners and balances fine with my 4+ pound chambered korina body.

jeffwo · #17 10-27-2010, 03:15 PM

I am a big fan of the newer Mexican Fender Jazz bass necks - you can get them on Ebay from the Stratosphere guy who buys basses and breaks them into parts. I put one on my new parts build with a Warmoth body and am loving it. Nice satin finish and fretwork on mine.