"Fast neck"

[Audiophage]

Just out of curiosity, what does this term mean?

To me it seems to be a buzz phrase that sales people use, particularly when attempting to sell something from the brand name "Ibanez", that when looked into further, reveals an overly physical relationship with the instrument itself. I for one have never found that I could play faster on my Ibanez than on my P bass.

I mean I could be totally off base here but I find that the shape and size of the neck has very little to do with how fast I can play.

[bzmnt]

"Fast neck" is one of the phrases I've found to be the most ridiculous in bass or guitar industry.
I thought myself too when I started playing that I need narrow string spacing to play fast
But to me it seems clear that a fast neck is a neck you feel comfortable playing and that's totally subjective.
I can play a lot faster on a wide 19mm bridge string spacing neck than on a soundgear.

And you are absolutely right, it is a sales trick, especially for beginners.

[Slowgypsy]

I think some folks associate "fast necks" with narrow, slim, and non gloss finish. But it's really just a marketing phrase. Hey... would you buy a bass with a "slow neck"?

[tabdog]

Originally Posted by Slowgypsy

I think some folks associate "fast necks" with narrow, slim, and non gloss finish. But it's really just a marketing phrase. Hey... would you buy a bass with a "slow neck"?

Some women like a man with a "slow Hand"

Tabdog

[Slowgypsy]

Originally Posted by tabdog

Some women like a man with a "slow Hand"

Tabdog

Hey... I'm with you on this one... but... we're talking bass here...

[Electricblue]

Fast neck?

How stupid. I think the fastest neck you can buy is the one you feel the most comfortable playing.

My pickguard however, slows my playing right down. Anybody know where I can buy a fast pickguard?

[lowphatbass]

One definition of a fast neck is one that is slim and has low, easy action making it easy to shred up and down. The other aspect is the feel, or viscosity of the back of the neck and the edges of the frets/fretboard. Some necks feel a bit gummy or grainy while others are slick and smooth like ice.

I think the term is a bit more relevant in the guitar playing world, I think most bassists would just describe these attributes as, "comfortable neck", or "really damn good neck".

[Jazzbassman23]

And a close second for stupidest descriptive phrase has to be "it plays like butter."

[Nev375]

Personally, I would not want a fast neck. I don't even want a slow neck, I'd rather it just stay put and let my hands do the moving. The last thing I want to do is go chase down my neck as it runs around the bar all willy-nilly.

[onosson]

Originally Posted by Jazzbassman23

And a close second for stupidest descriptive phrase has to be "it plays like butter."

Well, I think you've hit on the solution to a slow neck - just coat it in butter!

[esa372]

fast (fàst) adjective
1. Acting, moving, or capable of acting or moving quickly; swift.
2. Accomplished in relatively little time: a fast visit.
3. Indicating a time somewhat ahead of the actual time: The clock is fast.
4. Adapted to or suitable for rapid movement: a fast running track.
etc.

Now, what that alludes to in the world of bass playing, I'll leave to you.

[Lee H]

I have had a lot of people love the way I do the neck on my fender...
I used to shoot in billiards tournaments, and I finish the necks the same way I did my tournament cue sticks. I would sand them smooth, Then I would use wax to seal them. I would rub wax on the sticks, then use a heat gun (on the lowest setting) and melt the wax into the grain of the wood. This is a little tricky to do without overheating the wood. You want to get the heat off, just as the wax the melted, and took on a shine. Then resand the neck with very fine sandpaper, just enough to allow your hand to slide smoothly, without feeling like it was sticking to the wax...

Dents and dings are taken out by wrapping the wood in a wet washcloth and using a cloths iron to swell the wood, so dents can be sanded smooth

[lousybassplayer]

i will accept the term fast neck as it applies to a neck that is not twisted, delaminating, sprouting fret ends, or tacky on the back. so essentially any one thats not all screwed up. i find that i play easier on a neck that fits my hand and technique, but how the guy at GC could know which are and arent for me is a mystery.

[slaps76]

So THAT'S why I can't play very fast...my damn necks!

[mcblahflooper94]

Fast neck is something Dave Moostaine would probably use: thin neck, etc.. But some people love chunky necks, look at James Page!!!

[Nev375]

Apparently the consensus is that necks are like people, the thin ones can run faster than the chubby ones.

Thin = fast

[darkstorm]

Its become a catch all phrase unfotunately for any bas whose neck isnt fender P wide and chunky.

[onosson]

In all seriousness - since we all have differently sized and proportioned hands, it's likely that there isn't one "best" neck out there for everyone, whether they want to be fast or slow.

[AHDBassist]

For me I can play faster on thinner necks but I don't have a preference. For instance I can play fast difficult riffs a lot easier on my Ibanez S470 but I find my Gibson Les Paul neck more comfortable for long periods of time. The same goes for my Ibanez SR and Fender Precisions.