What bass am I looking for?

squeally dan · #1 12-13-2012, 06:35 AM

Currently using a 90s USA fender jazz bass. Love the sound but the neck feels pretty big in my hand and I'm fairly certain it weighs close to 100 pounds.

I'm looking for something with the same great tone, good sustain but with a neck that is a little more comfortable.

I'm a guitarist, so it may just take some time to get used to a larger instrument.

slngd · #2 12-13-2012, 06:38 AM

I feel you man. Love my "Jazz" aswell, but it feels so large and heavy.

I played a german Warwick not too long ago - one of those with 2 Jazz pups. (No idea abt model name)

IMO it had a similar tone, and i especially liked the solo'ed bridge pup.

Slimmer and less heavy.

M.R. Ogle · #3 12-13-2012, 06:40 AM

Jazz Bass necks are all among the smallest, narrowest bass necks made. Try to get used to it.

jumblemind · #4 12-13-2012, 06:40 AM

EDIT: nevermind. A JAZZ neck is too big?? Yeah, that's the best you're going to do.

You can still check out P bass specials. Light weight, same neck, and you get more boom from having a p pickup thrown in the mix.

slngd · #5 12-13-2012, 06:41 AM

Naaah really?

I know they're narrow, but they aren't the smallest. How about Ibanez's?

**mjac28** · #6 12-13-2012, 06:44 AM

My Line 6 Variax Bass has the thinnest, fastest neck I've ever played.

jgroh · #7 12-13-2012, 06:50 AM

An Ibanez might be what you would like. I love the feel of Ibanez's, but the tones arent for me (at least not the ones I played). Necks are great though.

bassguitarthund · #8 12-13-2012, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squeally dan

I'm a guitarist, so it may just take some time to get used to a larger instrument.

Not saying Fender Jazz necks are the thinest out there but they are one of the thinnest!!! Their are lighter basses but if you like the sound look for one of the Ash body Jazzes, mine is really light!!! Like you said though, may just need to adjust to a bass in general.

Herrick · #9 12-13-2012, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slngd

I feel you man. Love my "Jazz" aswell, but it feels so large and heavy.

I played a german Warwick not too long ago - one of those with 2 Jazz pups. (No idea abt model name)

IMO it had a similar tone, and i especially liked the solo'ed bridge pup.

Slimmer and less heavy.

My 4-string Warwick Corvette Standard is nice & light. I think the neck width (at the nut) is very similar to a Jazz Bass though.

bassgod0dmw · #10 12-13-2012, 06:56 AM

Are you saying the nut width is too big, or the thickness (front to back)?

squeally dan · #11 12-13-2012, 07:05 AM

I think it's the thickness that make it feel too big.

**WoodyG3** · #12 12-13-2012, 07:10 AM

A Fender Geddy Lee will have a thinner neck back to front. As others have mentioned, many of the Ibanez basses might work, specifically the Soundgear line. If you look used, Peavy Foundations or Carvins from the late '80s to early'90s might work for you.

bassgod0dmw · #13 12-13-2012, 07:10 AM

A Geddy Lee jazz neck is among the thinnest out there that will give you everything that you love about your current bass, minus the neck of course.

Herrick · #14 12-13-2012, 07:18 AM

I've always heard that the Geddy Lee neck is thinner than regular Jazz Bass necks but the Fender site lists them both as having a 1.5 nut width

SteveC · #15 12-13-2012, 07:22 AM

There is thin width and thin front to back. It's the front to back that gets me. Yamaha also has a thin (front to back) neck.

I currently play a Geddy Lee. And yes, when I try a "normal" jazz bass it feels fat to me - front to back.

bassgod0dmw · #16 12-13-2012, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herrick

I've always heard that the Geddy Lee neck is thinner than regular Jazz Bass necks but the Fender site lists them both as having a 1.5 nut width

Yep, nut width and neck thickness.

Nut width if pretty much the same for all J basses at 1.5"
Thickness, meaning from the front to back, is what is different.

Immigrant · #17 12-13-2012, 07:59 AM

Get a Squier VM short scale Jag and call it a day. best value out there at $160 +/- $10.

Or mod the crap out of it.

They are super light and have a skinny little neck, very easy for a guitarist to switch to.

PazzoBasso · #18 12-13-2012, 08:10 AM

Check out a Lakland Darryl Jones if you can...

Don't know if it's actually thinner/smaller - but it feels that way, vs my US & Mex Jazzes...

Maybe it's the smaller fret wire & smaller body?

placedesjardins · #19 12-13-2012, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squeally dan

Currently using a 90s USA fender jazz bass. Love the sound but the neck feels pretty big in my hand and I'm fairly certain it weighs close to 100 pounds.

I'm looking for something with the same great tone, good sustain but with a neck that is a little more comfortable.

I'm a guitarist, so it may just take some time to get used to a larger instrument.

Try a wider strap if you are using a 2" guitar strap.

squeally dan · #20 12-13-2012, 08:15 AM

Going to try the soundman's Geddy lee bass at this weekend's Christmas party gigs, but he won't sell it. How much do the GLs run on the used market?