slimming the neck on p-bass

neslofalo · #1 05-10-2009, 05:48 AM

any thoughts on what would be the best way to slim the neck on my p?
what would be the best tools,if any other than good ol`sandpaper,to use?
thank you

Vincent P · #2 05-10-2009, 06:28 AM

How thin are you looking at, Fender Jazz, Geddy Lee Jazz styles, or simply taking a bit of mass off the neck?

neslofalo · #3 05-10-2009, 07:00 AM

just taking off a bit of mass
not the width,just making it flatter so to speak
it might be called shaping instead of slimming

Rocky McDougall · #4 05-10-2009, 09:33 AM

If you have limited tools and knowledge, you could use a vibrating sander with gradating paper,(coarse to fine). Check with a straight edge constantly along the way to make sure it is flat, without high and low spots.

Son of Magni · #5 05-10-2009, 09:52 AM

You need to know how much you can take off without encroaching on the trussrod. How are you going to determine that?

lownote54 · #6 05-10-2009, 09:55 AM

best way?? easy. replace it with a J-neck

XylemBassGuitar · #7 05-10-2009, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Son of Magni

You need to know how much you can take off without encroaching on the trussrod. How are you going to determine that?

+1, it can be really easy to sand away a bit of wood only to find a little hole/slit in the wood where the truss rod channel starts. I would definitely find out exactly how deep you can go, while still leaving some wood left under the rod. You might need to give Fender a call to find how deep they install their rods...

Good luck with the project!

neslofalo · #8 05-10-2009, 12:57 PM

thank you for your answers
i´ll consider each and every one of them

neslofalo · #9 05-10-2009, 12:59 PM

by the way
would it change the tone?
thank you

Son of Magni · #10 05-10-2009, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neslofalo

by the way
would it change the tone?
thank you

I recommend you read this thread in full:

Jumping in the minefield: why no tone questions?

Then reconsider whether you want to ask this question

neslofalo · #11 05-10-2009, 02:44 PM

i got your point
thank you

mongo2 · #12 05-10-2009, 05:59 PM

I use a Sandvik cabinet scraper followed by several grades of sandpaper and steel wool.

I've reprofiled quite a few necks making some fairly shallow and have never encroached on the trussrod channel.

Bassmickeyd · #13 05-10-2009, 06:15 PM

I did this to my 1966 Fender P-bass and I used a rasp...... At which I'm sure most of you reading will gasp. Then a lot of sand paper...... On older rosewood Fender's the truss is installed beneath the fretboard. But if there is a skunk strip down the back of the neck that is where the truss was installed from. So, it's not too deep.
So, to be fore warned is to come fore armed.
Mine turned out great. I had already removed the frets and wanted it shaped like my 68 Jazz bass. I lost the little side markers but it was fretless and that didn't matter.
So, if it's a cheap neck, live and learn and go to it. If it's worth $$$ ask for a second opinion.

mongo2 · #14 05-10-2009, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassmickeyd

I did this to my 1966 Fender P-bass and I used a rasp...... At which I'm sure most of you reading will gasp. .

LOL, I used a rasp on my first one and felt it took too much to clean it up, then I discovered the scraper.

Son of Magni · #15 05-10-2009, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mongo2

...I've reprofiled quite a few necks making some fairly shallow and have never encroached on the trussrod channel.

Oh, that's great to know. I guess there's no point thinking about that.

Rocky McDougall · #16 05-10-2009, 10:30 PM

Also, Fenders with the Skunk Stipe have arched truss rods. They are much closer to the surface of the backside of the neck in the center of the neck. Since their pressue is upwards, it is not likely to break thru in the center of the neck. But, the smartest thing to do is put a Jazz neck on it.