Bass with a neck width less than 1.5

[Hoppes]

Edit: i think what i meant to ask was what are some bass's with necks that don't tapper out much up the neck from the nut width.

[mongo2]

The original advertised neck width at the nut for the Fender Jazz Bass was 1-7/16 inches. I've measured quite a few through the mid '70s and that measured that wide. It was later changed to 1-1/2 inches but I'm not sure when.

I'm not aware of any short scale instruments that have a nut width less than 1-1/2 inches, in fact, I have several that are wider.

[gweimer]

With a little patience, you might find a Fender Performer bass. They were Japanese, and had pencil-thin necks. Pretty cool basses, actually.

[rabidrabbit2727]

i have a Peavey Fury that has a nut that is less than 1.5

i would love to find another one like it (this one has seen better days) or any other bass with a small neck

so much easier for me to play

[GlennW]

The old Hagstrom HIIB's are a shade under 1 1/2", and they're nice playing basses.

[Luke73]

My Warwick Corvette has a width at the nut of 38.5mm (1.515 inches).

Lovely bass

[Kraken]

Not sure if they still make them but the Epiphone EBM 5 has a very thin neck and close string spacing, and is a 5 string. I bought mine about 12 years ago, and I wouldn't swap it for anything!

I'll measure the neck and update the post when I remember

just found a link that says it is 1.65" wide at the nut - but it is a 5 string, check it out here - http://www.gibson.com/products/epiph...ve/bass/8.html

[Dave Muscato]

Not to be sarcastic at all, but with good technique, >1.5" nut widths should be no problem at all... my custom build (5-string) has a nut width of 54mm (2.126") and I can navigate it very easily, using the basics of classical guitar.

Check out this thread, particularly my post here (#47):

What I learned from a week at Berklee

I'm not saying a 54mm nut width is for everyone, but just curious; are you wrapping your thumb around the top of the neck or something that you need a nut width that narrow?

[Luke73]

Where did he say he needs one?

Maybe he just likes it.



I don't need a bass with a 38.5mm neck width, but I like it, so that's what I play.

[rockinpop]

Lakland Skyline Duck Dunn P-Bass. Width at nut 1.5. Very very easy bass to play and it sounds AWESOME !!

[Hoppes]

Yea, bass's that i have played with what seem to be closer string spacing than a jazz feel better. My fingers are short. I keep my thumb about halfway wrapped around. I cant play with my thumb in the middle of the neck, feels unnatural. Thanks for the info.

Anyone have experience with the danelectro '63 bass? its neck looks small.

[bassman10096]

With a little patience, you might find a Fender Performer bass. They were Japanese, and had pencil-thin necks. Pretty cool basses, actually.

There's a performer listed under "Fender" at Diamond Strings -- http://diamondstrings.com/inventor.htm#Basses

Here's a pic: http://diamondstrings.com/fender%20p...ss%20rip-1.jpg Looks like a shark.

Other thin necked basses: Old Vox and Framus (ultraslim), Ibanez Soundgear (thin profile overall).

Basses whose necks have little taper to them (nut width is closer to neck heel width than other basses): Alembic classic taper neck basses - Most older Spoilers and Distillates, many Signature and Series models. These basses have a unique feel and very accessible upper frets.

[73jbass]

Originally Posted by mongo2

The original advertised neck width at the nut for the Fender Jazz Bass was 1-7/8 inches. I've measured quite a few through the mid '70s and that measured that wide. It was later changed to 1-1/2 inches but I'm not sure when.

I'm not aware of any short scale instruments that have a nut width less than 1-1/2 inches, in fact, I have several that are wider.

Are you sure about the 1 7/8 number? That's 1/8 shy of 2.00" The typical P-bass is 1 5/8.I have never see a Jazz bass with a neck wider than 1 1/2. Typo maybe?

[Hoover]

Originally Posted by bassman10096

Other thin necked basses: Old Vox

+1
Vox Apollo IV had a neck like a broomstick, almost as deep as it was wide...which is to say, "not very" in either dimension.

[pbagley]

Godin basses seem to have two neck widths: 1-1/2" and 1-3/8". My Accousticaster has the narrow width. Combined with fretless it is a very small neck and very very easy to play. A friends A-4 has the 1-1/2" width. Slightly slower feel in my hands. This is coming from a guy who's main bass is a 5 string with a 1-7/8" nut width. Which leads to a second consideration - Radius. I find a 7-1/2" radius to be more comfortable. A lot of people like the 15" radius that Carvin and others use, but to me a flatter radius neck feels wider even if the widths and string spacing are exactly the same. Weird, isn't it.

Good luck,

- Paul

[mongo2]

Originally Posted by 73jbass

Are you sure about the 1 7/8 number? That's 1/8 shy of 2.00" The typical P-bass is 1 5/8.I have never see a Jazz bass with a neck wider than 1 1/2. Typo maybe?

Sorry, that was a typo...I fixed it in the original post, thanks.

The original advertised neck width at the nut for a Fender Jazz Bass was 1-7/16 inches.

[GlennW]

Try an Ibanez Soundgear. They're wider at the nut than 1 1/2", but more narrow at the heel than Fenders. They also have a lot less shoulder which makes them feel thinner, very comfortable (for me). They're fairly inexpensive too.

[Webtroll]

+1 on the Fender Performer. I had one and it was narrow through and through. I hated the pickups but after I replaced them with EMGs (customer Pickguard too so I was able to replace the original electronics before selling) it sounded a lot stouter than it looked. Felt like a toy next to my mid 70s Precision which is why I sold it. Wish I had it back /cry

[RD]

My recollection is that Moserite made some basses with thin necks, back in the day.
RD

[Wilbyman]

I think the Dean Jeff Berlin is slightly less than 1.5