Question for Fender '62 Reissue Jazz Bass owners

[zortation]

Fender Japan spec'd basses have almost nothing to do with US Fender basses. You guys are all comparing apples and oranges.

To answer the OP, yes, the American Vintage 62 has the fastest slimmest J neck around, it's also the most unstable.

[rootsnfifths]

Originally Posted by zortation

Fender Japan spec'd basses have almost nothing to do with US Fender basses. You guys are all comparing apples and oranges.

Is that correct? It would make sense to me according to my hands and what I've heard.
The neck almost feels "D" shaped compared to "C" shaped if you all know what I mean. It is slightly deeper from fretboard to back of neck. But the worst part is that it feels plumper somehow on the back of neck nearest to the fretboard on either side of the neck.(near side position dots and the opposite side).
That is causing me to strech more than my other basses.

And like you say it may be Fender Japan's specs on a '62 RI.
Just not digging it.

To answer the OP, yes, the American Vintage 62 has the fastest slimmest J neck around, it's also the most unstable.

Do you also own an AV 62?

[zortation]

Originally Posted by rootsnfifths

Do you also own an AV 62?

I did at one time. When they're good, they are the best sounding jazz around. When they're not, it's a frustrating nightmare to deal with.

[MIMike]

My Jan. 1983 AVRI Jazz has a very thin neck. Word was at the time that they manufactured these so close to the originals that they ran into problems with neck twists...just like the earliest Jazz Basses. I bought a 87' in lake placid blue and proceeded to yank the frets out of my SB 83'. The neck on the later 80's bass never did feel as good as my first one. I ended up selling the blue one and having an AllParts neck shaped to match my 83'. My only regret in all those transactions 20 some years ago was that I didn't buy a frettless AllParts neck and have it shaped like my 83'.

[chris0186]

Originally Posted by zortation

I did at one time. When they're good, they are the best sounding jazz around. When they're not, it's a frustrating nightmare to deal with.

Could you elaborate on this?

[rootsnfifths]

Originally Posted by MIMike

My Jan. 1983 AVRI Jazz has a very thin neck. Word was at the time that they manufactured these so close to the originals that they ran into problems with neck twists...just like the earliest Jazz Basses. I bought a 87' in lake placid blue and proceeded to yank the frets out of my SB 83'. The neck on the later 80's bass never did feel as good as my first one. I ended up selling the blue one and having an AllParts neck shaped to match my 83'. My only regret in all those transactions 20 some years ago was that I didn't buy a frettless AllParts neck and have it shaped like my 83'.

Originally Posted by spiritbass

Here is a thought. If you find one that is perfect in all respects except the neck shape, you could have a good luthier re-shape it to your needs.

Thinking I might get the neck re-shaped. The high gloss on it I'd rather not have anyway so that would solve that also.
Would anyone have a ballpark on the cost to reshape a neck?

Still would like to hear from anyone who have had both MIJ/CIJ and AVRI to confirm. It does seem where necks are concerned, the standards are not so 'standard' though.

[Low Class]

Originally Posted by Caca de Kick

Back then it was. I had a 1984 62 AVRI J, and it was beautifully thin.
But the new RI J's are different, way thicker.

I haven't played a newer AVRI, but I have owned several early 80's Fullerton reissues and several real '62's. The early reissues were thinner front to back than the real 62.

[Basshappi]

Strange,.
I have an early 80's lefty MIJ '62 RI and it is the slimmest neck I have ever encountered on a Jazz. It is even thinner than any Geddy or AVRI I have ever handled.

[rootsnfifths]

Originally Posted by Low Class

I haven't played a newer AVRI, but I have owned several early 80's Fullerton reissues and several real '62's. The early reissues were thinner front to back than the real 62.

Thanks. Seems most here agree, the early AVRI's had a thinner neck. Now to find one for sale.....

Originally Posted by Basshappi

Strange,.
I have an early 80's lefty MIJ '62 RI and it is the slimmest neck I have ever encountered on a Jazz. It is even thinner than any Geddy or AVRI I have ever handled.

Wow. Just when I thought I had a handle on this you tell me that^ I have a 2011 Geddy Lee and like that neck. It a little weird since it is sort of wide/thin but I still love it. I would take that neck on my '62 anyday.

I have 2 options: Sell this MIJ '62 or reshape the neck to my liking.

Thanks

[rootsnfifths]

Originally Posted by Basshappi

Strange,.
I have an early 80's lefty MIJ '62 RI and it is the slimmest neck I have ever encountered on a Jazz. It is even thinner than any Geddy or AVRI I have ever handled.

If that is typical it would be interesting that the early US reissues had thinner necks than the later US reissues and the early Japanese reissues had thinner necks than the later Japanese reissues.

[zortation]

Originally Posted by chris0186

Could you elaborate on this?

The neck is the problem. That's why it's ultra important to try one before you buy to make sure the neck is straight right off the rack, because if not, you're taking a big gamble with that thin neck profile. 9 times out of ten, if it has a bow, you be cranking that truss rod pretty good until you get it where you want it, and what you're left with is a straight neck with no more adjustment available.

[audreycashin]

Originally Posted by alembicguy

I have a 1982 AVRI Jazz (stack knob) and the neck is the thinnest out of all my Jazz basses.

^want

[rootsnfifths]

Originally Posted by zortation

The neck is the problem. That's why it's ultra important to try one before you buy to make sure the neck is straight right off the rack, because if not, you're taking a big gamble with that thin neck profile. 9 times out of ten, if it has a bow, you be cranking that truss rod pretty good until you get it where you want it, and what you're left with is a straight neck with no more adjustment available.

All true, I agree. This neck is very straight but just does not 'feel' right. I am sure a P-bass player would find it thin. I own 7 other Jazzes and again, this one feels wierd.

Unfortunately buying online is such a gamble. 3 bass purchases ago Sam Ash music had 3 copies of a particular bass I was after. One felt great and the other two felt terrible. Guess which one I went home with? Problem we face is, we can't always try before we buy. It is very much like gambling....just roll the dice and see what ya get!

Originally Posted by audreycashin

^want

Yeah Ditto that. It is annoying to me that I have seen these Fullerton early 80's reissue basses sell for more than actual 1960-ish and 1970-ish basses! Go figure.

I actually just met someone who owned an '82 or '83 Fullerton reissue Jazz, a 2006 AVRI Jazz and a 60's Classic(MIM) Jazz. He explained the MIM 60's classic and the later model AVRI jazz felt and nearly sounded very, very similar. Yet the early 80's fullerton was in a league of its own. Interesting to me.

[D.M.N.]

Originally Posted by rootsnfifths

Unfortunately buying online is such a gamble. 3 bass purchases ago Sam Ash music had 3 copies of a particular bass I was after. One felt great and the other two felt terrible. Guess which one I went home with? Problem we face is, we can't always try before we buy. It is very much like gambling....just roll the dice and see what ya get!

Go through Sweetwater. Their service is great, you get a sales associate who stays with you through the whole thing, and they do a setup before it leaves. They also often have a few of the same model in with photographs and weights of each individual one. I bought my 62 Jazz from them this past summer, and it was spectacular out of the box. No neck problems at all.

[atomicdog]

MIJ AVRI—isn't that an oxymoron?

[Danno1985]

Originally Posted by zortation

Fender Japan spec'd basses have almost nothing to do with US Fender basses. You guys are all comparing apples and oranges.

To answer the OP, yes, the American Vintage 62 has the fastest slimmest J neck around, it's also the most unstable.

This has been my experience as well. I also own a late-80s MIJ '62RI Jazz, and I've played plenty of AVRI '62 Jazzes. The neck on my MIJ feels a bit heftier than any AVRI I've played. Bigger shoulders; more of a D or U shape. But I certainly wouldn't describe it as ungainly or a hindrance to technique. At least for me, it's a supremely comfortable, fast-playing neck. Anything thinner and my left hand starts to cramp up while playing. Neck profiles are so subjective though.

[rootsnfifths]

Originally Posted by Danno1985

This has been my experience as well. I also own a late-80s MIJ '62RI Jazz, and I've played plenty of AVRI '62 Jazzes. The neck on my MIJ feels a bit heftier than any AVRI I've played. Bigger shoulders; more of a D or U shape. But I certainly wouldn't describe it as ungainly or a hindrance to technique. At least for me, it's a supremely comfortable, fast-playing neck. Anything thinner and my left hand starts to cramp up while playing. Neck profiles are so subjective though.

Thanks for that. You have described what I feel on this one. There are times I don't notice the neck as much but others I really do. Subjective for sure. That MIJ 62 sure sounds good though.

[msact]

I recently bought a 60s classic jazz bass. I am not sure about the thickness of the neck, but the 7.25 radius throws me a bit when I first pick it up. I am so used to the 9.5 neck on my P bass that I need to play scales or something for a couple of minutes to get adjusted.

[rootsnfifths]

Originally Posted by D.M.N.

Go through Sweetwater. Their service is great, you get a sales associate who stays with you through the whole thing, and they do a setup before it leaves. They also often have a few of the same model in with photographs and weights of each individual one. I bought my 62 Jazz from them this past summer, and it was spectacular out of the box. No neck problems at all.

I have heard that more than once. They sure do have great pics of their instruments. I am gong to check out their site today and see what I could spend more of my $$

Originally Posted by atomicdog

MIJ AVRI—isn't that an oxymoron?

Wow..hope I didn't say that..oops

[rootsnfifths]

Originally Posted by msact

I recently bought a 60s classic jazz bass. I am not sure about the thickness of the neck, but the 7.25 radius throws me a bit when I first pick it up. I am so used to the 9.5 neck on my P bass that I need to play scales or something for a couple of minutes to get adjusted.

Personnaly like the 9.5 radius better. My hinnest neck Jazz has that radius and it does feel good.