Aftermarket Precision width neck that's thinner depth?

[andyjevans]

I currently play a WAL fretless and want to get a fretted 4 string. Love the WAL neck - it's 34", 42mm at nut and 54mm at 12th fret. So not far off a P neck width, except for thickness.

The WAL is 21mm at nut and 22mm at 12th fret. P necks are more like 22mm and 25mm.

Warmoth does a slim J neck at 20.1mm and 23.4mm, but that's narrower at the nut...

Any ideas for a neck that's P width at the nut, like 42mm, but slimmer profile? Could be a Fender neck option to fit a J or P body, like a Frankenbuild

Or another option could be another make and model bass entirely. I'd love a fretted WAL but prices are far too high for me these days.

 

[Bruce Johnson]

Those dimensions are in custom neck territory, particularly the 22mm thickness at the 12th. You aren't likely to find a production aftermarket neck which is that thin up high. And if you tried to shave down a standard P neck to that thin, you'd probably break through into the truss rod in the middle of the neck.

It's not a big problem to build a neck that thin, but its truss rod and internal reinforcements need to be set up for those dimensions. In particular, necks which are that thin at the 12th will usually need extra reinforcements in that zone to keep them from getting a 12th fret kink (aka "ski jump") over time.

So, you are probably going to need to go to a custom builder for this neck. Ask around in the Luthier's Corner section. You can ask my buddy Keith Horne, my neighbor across the hall. He's very busy these days, but he does build some custom necks like this. Keith can be reached at: [email protected] and 213-400-6702

 

[andyjevans]

Thanks Bruce. I spent a couple of hours trying out basses this afternoon and I think my needs have changed. I tried out a Jazz, plus some other slimmer necks, and the neck I really loved was a neck-thru SR series Ibanez. So, having played my WAL fretless since the 70s I'm finding that I like a narrower nut after all. Nothing against the WAL - it plays lovely for a fretless. But looks like I can go even more skinny.

Ibanez know how to make their necks - they've been doing it for many years - so I'm assuming they're stable and reliable. But please let me know if they're prone to a 12th fret kink (aka "ski jump") over time? I'd like to know before I consider buying one.