Why aren't graphite necks more popular?

[Tupac]

Although I can see some people not wanting 100% graphite necks for the tone and feeling of them, but what about graphite reinforced necks? They sound no different than a wooden one, and they're much more stable and don't warp. Why don't more manufacturers take use of graphite?

[Edward G.]

Cost. Tradition. My only exception to graphite necks (I once had a very nice-sounding Zon) is that the material is cold and hard.

[drnknmstr]

Originally Posted by Tupac

Although I can see some people not wanting 100% graphite necks for the tone and feeling of them, but what about graphite reinforced necks? They sound no different than a wooden one, and they're much more stable and don't warp. Why don't more manufacturers take use of graphite?

What Edward said. But also, some feel they really don't make a difference. Not sure what Roger Sadowsky thinks currently, but a while back I remember him saying they occasionally make a batch with graphite rods just to see if they make a difference. And there weren't.

Some think two thin strips of plastic just don't do enough. My MIA Fender has them supposedly, but they still have the same dead spots as any other bolt-on I've had. If anything makes a difference, it IS the multi-laminated necks, but that just seems to move the dead spots in other location.

If you have a good specimen of maple that's dried properly, the warpage probably won't be an issue.

[CauliColin]

I really want a Status-Graphite bass, or a neck.
But I'd rather have a bass. Price is a big factor. A neck costs more than the bass I want to put it on.

[icecycle66]

How much does a graphite neck weigh compared to a maple one?

[kevteop]

They're pretty similar in weight.

I think composite materials haven't really taken off because they're not really necessary. I imagine there's a whole load of extra tooling you'd need and expertise in working with those materials, so why bother when wood is already doing the job?

[mystic38]

its the cost.. and if anyone has been looking,, the economy is in the toilet and given there are probably already about 5 basses per bass player in the world, and if Fender is hurting then i suspect all manufacturers are hurting..

[M.R. Ogle]

I'm surprised TOTALLY composite guitars and basses haven't taken off yet. With the unpredictability of wood, the advances in composite technologies, I'd certainly have expected this by now. I know there have been a few stabs at it (luthite bodies, CF necks, etc) but composites have successfully replaced wood in so many other applications.

Tooling up and researching the composite would be expensive, but the per-piece consistency and price would eventually pay for that. I guess wood is still too cheap and plentiful to warrant the R&D. But that's not forever.

I forsee a future when composite instruments are the "norm" and wood instruments are more "boutique."

[bassbenj]

Originally Posted by Edward G.

Cost. Tradition. My only exception to graphite necks (I once had a very nice-sounding Zon) is that the material is cold and hard.

Yes, this is a common opinion for graphite necks and why many don't like them. Personally I LOVE that feel on the neck of my Modulus (older non-adjustable) and I wish I had them on the rest of my basses. But they are rather expensive so that isn't going to happen soon.

[Sid Fang]

Because they don't grow on trees.

[drnknmstr]

Originally Posted by M.R. Ogle

I'm surprised TOTALLY composite guitars and basses haven't taken off yet. With the unpredictability of wood, the advances in composite technologies, I'd certainly have expected this by now. I know there have been a few stabs at it (luthite bodies, CF necks, etc) but composites have successfully replaced wood in so many other applications.

Tooling up and researching the composite would be expensive, but the per-piece consistency and price would eventually pay for that. I guess wood is still too cheap and plentiful to warrant the R&D. But that's not forever.

I forsee a future when composite instruments are the "norm" and wood instruments are more "boutique."

In that regard, it's the sound. Steinberger did ok for a while, and I believe John Entwistle's Status Buzzard was all graphite, though I'm not 100% sure on that one. It's just not going to sound the same. Not better or worse, but sonically, most of our ears are still trying to capture the "classic" sounds.

Not that many composite acoustic guitars and those are MUCH less reliable than a solidbody bass, just by construction factor alone. But why haven't those taken off? Sound. Same goes for an electric bass.

[StrangerDanger]

I would love a Modulus neck but dey too 'spensive.

[Mr. Lovejoy]

I was a fan of Geoff Gould's self-branded stuff from a few years ago, but I only think he made a single run.

[pasta4lnch]

I would love a status necked P! I just got a Rainsong carbon fiber acoustic guitar and it is, by far, one of the comfy-est necks I've ever played. Certainly on an acoustic!

[elgecko]

Bass players fear change. You're talking about a group of people who are fascinated with the way things use to be. They willingly schlep refrigerator sized amps to gigs and relic their basses to look more vintage.

[bassman10096]

Personally I LOVE that feel on the neck of my Modulus (older non-adjustable) and I wish I had them on the rest of my basses. But they are rather expensive so that isn't going to happen soon.

I've never understood the objections to the feel (cold? hard?) of graphite. I find it silky smooth, very fast (both satin and gloss variations) and sort of neutral temperature - definitely not "cold" to touch. Soundwise, the vary quite a bit but I've owned Modulus, Status, Zon and Goulds - never had much trouble keeping a warm sound. Perhaps some don't like the very precise high end (no mud there)? Either way, apart from the added cost (not a small factor), graphite is far easier to keep tuned and intonated and sounds great to me.
Graphite-reinforced necks are a totally different animal from full on graphite. They sound fine as reinforced wood goes. But Warmoth's steel rod reinforcement (in addition to trussrod) sounds a bit more authoritative than graphite reinforcement.

[Mr. Lovejoy]

Originally Posted by elgecko

Bass players fear change. You're talking about a group of people who are fascinated with the way things use to be. They willingly schlep refrigerator sized amps to gigs and relic their basses to look more vintage.

But there is also a huge contingency of Bassists that go the exact opposite way and play coffee tables with 6+ strings, through tiny space-age amps.


Either way, the guy who wants to sit somewhere in the middle is usually in the minority.

[elgecko]

Another reason, graphite necks tend to magnify poor technique. Noises that are usually masked on wood necked basses tend to stick out on graphite...and they're not cheap.

[Bean639]

I might be wrong here.... I was under the impression that all graphite necks are not adjustable. I understand that they will not warp with weather, but if I want to put a different gauge of strings on my bass this becomes a big problem for me.

[rossiman]

Im a hardcore Modulus fan...but I must admit, after a while,
its hard not to want to pick up a bass with a wood neck... you forget
how much you miss the feel and tone of wood compared to graphite