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Looking for bass with long skinny neck, any ideas?

C

ckmclau

Jul 5, 2005
8
0
#1
I'm looking for a bass to fill the role of my Alembic Series I (SN 81-1810) that was recently ripped off:crying:. The Alembic had a super-skinny neck (based on the Guild Starfire Bass I believe) with 24 frets clear and a 32" scale. This allowed me to use fingerings that I just couldn't reach on any other bass. However, its extreme weight and need for AC power made it pretty impractical for gigging. So, here's what I'm looking for:

  • short to medium scale (30"-32")
  • thin and narrow 24-fret neck
  • hi-fi pickups & electronics
  • good sustain
  • light weight
  • not ridiculously expensive
In other words, something like my Alembic without the high price, weight, and need for outboard power. Can anyone out there in TalkBassLand suggest a bass model that might fit this description?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!
 
#3
Framus to the rescue! Many vintage Framus basses were short or medium scale, with ridiculously skinny necks--and they typically sell for cheap. You should also check out vintage Hagstroms.

Edit: Neither of those have 24-fret necks though. How would you feel about a neck that was very thin front-to-back instead of very skinny side-to-side? 'Cause in that case you'd like the Ampeg AMB-1, the wood-bodied reissues from the late '90s. They fit all the specs.
 
#6
I thought about it too, but then I figured it means that the neck is really protruding (i hope that word wasn't gibberish) from the body. Or in other words that the cutaways would be so steep that access to higher register is easier, making the neck look longer even though it isn't. Sort of like that warwick semi hollow model.

If that is what he meant, I guess it would have to be neck through.. Well doesn't have to be, but that kind of neck pockets are rare.

What's the budget? Cheaper than an alembic.. 1k? 3k?
 
#11
I've only tried one or two Alembics but IME they shift the neck and bridge a little bit to the player's left, so the higher frets are more comfortable to reach. (which makes it feel longer than it really is) That may be why the OP calls the neck long.

I mimic'd this on my custom bass but don't really know any manufacturers that do it.
 
#16
Rusty the Scoob said:
I've only tried one or two Alembics but IME they shift the neck and bridge a little bit to the player's left, so the higher frets are more comfortable to reach. (which makes it feel longer than it really is) That may be why the OP calls the neck long.

I mimic'd this on my custom bass but don't really know any manufacturers that do it.
Click to expand...

Ah- that would make sense. Lots of Warwicks also have this design due to using the two-part bridge and short upper horn.
 
#18
johnk_10 said:
a Mosrite ventures bass has a really skinny neck, as do Framus and some vintage Vox basses.
Click to expand...

Beat me to it.

http://www.voxshowroom.com/equipment/index.html#bass guitars

Check em out. :D

One example:

ebayvoxconstellation.jpg
 
#19
Except for the medium scale requirement, one of the older Vigier basses with the graphite neck fits the profile. I know where you can get one that's in good shape excepting a few modifications for about a grand. No affiliation, no vouch. PM me for details.
 

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