Thinnest Jazz Bass Neck in Your Experience

THORRR · #1 07-12-2012, 12:49 PM

I really like thin necks on a Jazz Bass.

Of the half-dozen I currently own, the thinnest (front-to-back at the 1st Fret)
are my MIJ Aerodyne Jazz, and my MIA American Special Jazz. They're great.

Most boutique brands are not available readily to try here in Colorado, but I have tried a Sadowsky Will Lee and a Mike Lull V4, both of whose necks were not as thin as the
basses I currently own.

I've heard that Nordys are thin and some Laklands as well but have
never been fortunate enough to try them.

What's your experience? Can you point me in the direction of the THINNEST Jazz Bass neck you ever played?

What I'm looking for is something as thin as an Ibanez SG500. Does it exist in a Jazz Bass configuration?

LaBassGuy · #2 07-12-2012, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THORRR

I really like thin necks on a Jazz Bass.

Of the half-dozen I currently own, the thinnest (front-to-back at the 1st Fret)
are my MIJ Aerodyne Jazz, and my MIA American Special Jazz. They're great.

Most boutique brands are not available readily to try here in Colorado, but I have tried a Sadowsky Will Lee and a Mike Lull V4, both of whose necks were not as thin as the
basses I currently own.

I've heard that Nordys are thin and some Laklands as well but have
never been fortunate enough to try them.

What's your experience? Can you point me in the direction of the THINNEST Jazz Bass neck you ever played?

What I'm looking for is something as thin as an Ibanez SG500. Does it exist in a Jazz Bass configuration?

The MIA American Special Jazz--how does the neck compare to, say, a Geddy Lee Jazz? And generally how does the bass compare to a geddy lee.

THORRR · #3 07-12-2012, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaBassGuy

The MIA American Special Jazz--how does the neck compare to, say, a Geddy Lee Jazz? And generally how does the bass compare to a geddy lee.

My MIA American Special has a maple neck and it is thinner than any Geddy Lee I've tried at GC. It's shape is better too. Not sure if that's a result of a different radius or
maybe the contour of the "C" shape.

Soundwise, it has been modded with EMG-X pups and a EMG 3-band pre-amp that absolutely KILLS! It's a great
bass that is a definite keeper as is my Aerodyne, but GAS always keeps me looking to take the next step up!

Wallace320 · #4 07-12-2012, 01:05 PM

You see:
I've got
American Standard Jazz
American Special Jazz
BlackTop Jazz
Standard Jazz
Reggie Hamilton Jazz
Squier Classic Vibe Jazz
Squier Vintage Modified Jazz

Geddy's is by far the (impossible) "thinnest necked" Jazz on the planet

Cheers,
Wallace

THORRR · #5 07-12-2012, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wallace320

You see:
I've got
American Standard Jazz
American Special Jazz
BlackTop Jazz
Standard Jazz
Reggie Hamilton Jazz
Squier Classic Vibe Jazz
Squier Vintage Modified Jazz

Geddy's is by far the (impossible) "thinnest necked" Jazz on the planet

Cheers,
Wallace

This may say something about consistency (or inconsistency in manufacturing) but my Aerodyne AND my American Special are both thinner than the Geddy Lee's around here.

Handyman · #6 07-12-2012, 01:10 PM

While not 100% a Jazz Bass, the old Peavey Foundation necks are so small they're barely there.

THORRR · #7 07-12-2012, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Handyman

While not 100% a Jazz Bass, the old Peavey Foundation necks are so small they're barely there.

When you say "small" are you talking about width (at the nut) or thickness/thinness (front to back of the neck at the 1st fret)? I'm looking for thinness.

Duuuuuuuuuude · #8 07-12-2012, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wallace320

You see:
Geddy's is by far the (impossible) "thinnest necked" Jazz on the planet

Agreed

beggar98 · #9 07-12-2012, 01:31 PM

If you can, try one of the Modulus Jazz basses. Been awhile since I played one, but I remember that neck being super-thin and fast.

LaBassGuy · #10 07-12-2012, 01:44 PM

I had a black Geddy Lee that had a super slim neck. I sold that and last year bought a sunburst Geddy Lee.

The sunburst is thicker--no question about that. And frankly more reasonable than the old neck which indeed was impossibly thin.

THORRR · #11 07-12-2012, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beggar98

If you can, try one of the Modulus Jazz basses. Been awhile since I played one, but I remember that neck being super-thin and fast.

Thanks for the recommendation. Looks like there's a dealer
up north of Denver (Premier Bass), so I'll be taking a drive up there soon to give them a try.
Thanks again.

THORRR · #12 07-12-2012, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaBassGuy

I had a black Geddy Lee that had a super slim neck. I sold that and last year bought a sunburst Geddy Lee.

The sunburst is thicker--no question about that. And frankly more reasonable than the old neck which indeed was impossibly thin.

I guess the Geddy's I've tried are the newer ones.
I'd love to get a hold of an older one to see how it feels.
I'll keep an eye out for one to try.

Biggbass · #13 07-12-2012, 01:49 PM

My Aerodyne Jazz neck is pretty thin but so is my Lakland 44-64 Skyline Custom.
I like both of them...the feel is very similar.

JacobWhaler · #14 07-12-2012, 02:14 PM

I have always liked my ken smith or fodera, necks.

ampelmann · #15 07-12-2012, 02:17 PM

I don't own a Geddy, but I've played one at GC a few times. It's by far the thinnest neck I've played, Jazz or otherwise. I'll let you know how my Warmoth slim taper Jazz neck compares as soon as I get it.

davydtune · #16 07-12-2012, 04:04 PM

1989 Fender Power Jazz Bass Special

Calaverasgrande · #17 07-12-2012, 04:04 PM

The early Geddy's had crazy thin necks. So thin that when I tried them out in stores, the neck would shift from playing hard. So I skipped over that bass in favor of a Musicman Stingray.

Rossington · #18 07-12-2012, 05:15 PM

Never played one but I've heard those Fender Performer Basses have pretty thin necks, also my Fender jazz bass special has a pretty thin neck too.

funkyebk · #19 07-12-2012, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THORRR

Thanks for the recommendation. Looks like there's a dealer
up north of Denver (Premier Bass), so I'll be taking a drive up there soon to give them a try.
Thanks again.

I know for a fact that there is a metallic blue Modulus Jazz on the wall at Premier Bass as well as a candy apple red Sadowsky Will Lee Metro, which is even thinner than the modulus neck.

THORRR · #20 07-12-2012, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkyebk

I know for a fact that there is a metallic blue Modulus Jazz on the wall at Premier Bass as well as a candy apple red Sadowsky Will Lee Metro, which is even thinner than the modulus neck.

You're right, I saw them on his website.
Gotta get my butt down there!

Many Thanks!