Slimming the neck

Vacume · #1 01-14-2010, 09:08 PM

Im just curious, how unreasonable would it be to have a luthier slim the down the bulkyness of my DB's neck as it can be tough on my hand and ive played other basses that have been much easier. Could anywon give me a rough esitmate on how much this would cost?

Fletcher Lanning · #2 01-14-2010, 10:49 PM

Though you can get a smaller neck, it probably won't cure your hand problems.

If you're arching your fingers and hand properly, an average neck should actually be MORE comfortable that a smaller neck due to the increased leverage(YMMV but I have pretty small hands and it works for me). If you're either (A) chocking the neck with your whole hand or (B) flattening your hand and using the flat pad of your finger instead of closer to the tip, a smaller neck might feel a little better at first but would only serve to re-enforce a habit that would be destructive to your hands and wrists in the long run.

salcott · #3 01-15-2010, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flanning

Though you can get a smaller neck, it probably won't cure your hand problems.

If you're arching your fingers and hand properly, an average neck should actually be MORE comfortable that a smaller neck due to the increased leverage(YMMV but I have pretty small hands and it works for me). If you're either (A) chocking the neck with your whole hand or (B) flattening your hand and using the flat pad of your finger instead of closer to the tip, a smaller neck might feel a little better at first but would only serve to re-enforce a habit that would be destructive to your hands and wrists in the long run.

What he said. for me, thin BGish neck =pain and bad technique.

Cody Sisk · #4 01-15-2010, 06:22 AM

What they said might be your cheapest option.

Also from a luthier's perspective, thinning a neck is a very invasive procedure. It can change the way your bass sounds significantly. If you like where it's at tonally, I wouldn't shell out the hundreds it would cost you to have this done. It takes a lot of labor to do right and we luthiers, our time is not cheap..

vejesse · #5 01-15-2010, 08:15 AM

I wouldn't characterize thinning a neck to more normal dimensions as invasive. On some less expensive basses the necks are too thick. As long as you maintain enough neck strength why not have it thinned? A neck that's too wide is a different story. Making a neck more narrow is a lot more work than thinning a neck , but way less work than a new neck of course. I've recently done this neck narrowing on three Gliga made, Calin Wulter varnished basses and it was worth it.

Cody Sisk · #6 01-15-2010, 08:37 AM

Vacume, does your bass have a 2-piece joined neck? They are likely not book matched pieces. That being the case, one side of the neck might be more dense than the other. With a thinner neck, you run the risk of the neck twisting or warping. There are lots of variables that need to be considered before you blindly take a spoke shave to your neck. Without seeing the instrument, it's hard to offer a clear opinion on how the you should proceed or what it would cost. Do you have a luthier nearby? How about some more info in your profile, then we can help you find one. An estimate/recommendation shouldn't cost you anything..

Feral Feline · #7 01-19-2010, 10:25 AM

My bass's neck is monstrous. I've never seen a bigger bass neck and I looked at a LOT of basses at the fall musikmesse in Shanghai 2008 and elsewhere in my travels through Asia and N. America.

I, too, would like my luthier to shave it down, even if only a bit to smooth out the lumps and bumps. I've got big hands, fwiw.

Vacume, Please let me know whether you get it done and if so how it works out for you.

Cheers,
FF

PsychoScout · #8 01-19-2010, 11:51 AM

Don't know if it's only about technique, I went from a bulgy neck to a very slim neck, and for me it's a lot better. No pain anymore + I play better (also technically), so I don't think slimming down the neck will have a deterioration in technique as a consequence.

Jake deVilliers · #9 01-19-2010, 01:20 PM

I think its more about shape than size. A neck with a rounded V shape can be deep but very playable whereas a more U shaped neck will feel as though its getting in the way of your hand.

PsychoScout · #10 01-19-2010, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake deVilliers

I think its more about shape than size. A neck with a rounded V shape can be deep but very playable whereas a more U shaped neck will feel as though its getting in the way of your hand.

Don't know about that, I thinks it's a personal thing

This new bass really fits me like a glove, I can play a lot faster now, just by going from one bass to another...