• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Aluminum Neck Club

How does their neck feel compared to Robot Graves? I've been interested in checking them out, they're about 5 minutes down the road from my work lol.
I love them both & they’re both unique- the RGI is literally solid and the high polish finish plays like a slick, less grabby glossy poly coated neck. The taper from nut to heel is virtually non-existent but the overall profile from front to back is thin and very cozy. A flattened “D” shape, very 4003 esque but less bulky.

The Aluminati is hollowed out and the brushed anodized finish is SILKY. It feels like the finish on a brand new MacBook, lol. Very smooth and effortless to maneuver. The carbon fiber fretboard is awesome. You’ve gotta play one to really know what I mean but the “attack” of the notes you play is immediate and crystal clear. I love it!

Also its profile is more traditional in feel, chunkier but not old P bass chunky. Tapers like a normal neck. Kinda like a mix between modern Jazz basses & vintage Gibsons. Unique but different, very cozy.

I’m very eager to try out their polished / non-CF fretboard necks as well but already know that they probably sound just as awesome. If you have the chance to hit up their shop, I’d say DO IT! And keep us posted on what you think!
 
Last edited:
I love them both & they’re both unique- the RGI is literally solid and the high polish finish plays like a slick, less grabby glossy poly coated neck. The taper from nut to heel is virtually non-existent but the overall profile from front to back is thin and very cozy. A flattened “D” shape, very 4003 esque but less bulky.

The Aluminati is hollowed out and the brushed anodized finish is SILKY. It feels like the finish on a brand new MacBook, lol. Very smooth and effortless to maneuver. The carbon fiber fretboard is awesome. You’ve gotta play one to really know what I mean but the “attack” of the notes you play is immediate and crystal clear. I love it!

Also its profile is more traditional in feel, chunkier but not old P bass chunky. Tapers like a normal neck. Kinda like a mix between modern Jazz basses & vintage Gibsons. Unique but different, very cozy.

I’m very eager to try out their polished / non-CF fretboard necks as well but already know that they probably sound just as awesome. If you have the chance to hit up their shop, I’d say DO IT! And keep us posted on what you think!
Thanks for the write up! I get the same 4003 feel/vibes from RGI necks too, its what made me fall in love with it. I'm definitely gonna scope out some more on Aluminati, I would love to add one of their necks to the arsenal. Aluminum necks have been a kind of a "once you go, you never go back" thing for me.

I got a custom RGI neck coming (hopefully) in the next couple of weeks that is all flat-finish. The idea of a brand new MacBook feel on a neck is pretty welcoming to me :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: 220_Hz and cataract
Thanks for the write up! I get the same 4003 feel/vibes from RGI necks too, its what made me fall in love with it. I'm definitely gonna scope out some more on Aluminati, I would love to add one of their necks to the arsenal. Aluminum necks have been a kind of a "once you go, you never go back" thing for me.

I got a custom RGI neck coming (hopefully) in the next couple of weeks that is all flat-finish. The idea of a brand new MacBook feel on a neck is pretty welcoming to me :)
Yes aluminum has taken over my life, lol. The satin finished RGI is gonna feel SO GOOD! I’m thinking about keeping the RGI P I have up for grabs and putting its neck on this new Classic Vibe Jazz I got yesterday.. already got some Bartolini pickups on the way for it.. I may end up actually selling this tentative build instead because I’m about to go all in on an actual EGC or Travis Bean build…….. but I have a feeling I’d miss the RGI neck once it’s gone. Guess I should hear how it sounds put together first.
Definitely keep us posted on your aluminum doings! I’m excited for ya :bassist:
 
  • Like
Reactions: 220_Hz and Iommian
I love them both & they’re both unique- the RGI is literally solid and the high polish finish plays like a slick, less grabby glossy poly coated neck. The taper from nut to heel is virtually non-existent but the overall profile from front to back is thin and very cozy. A flattened “D” shape, very 4003 esque but less bulky.

The Aluminati is hollowed out and the brushed anodized finish is SILKY. It feels like the finish on a brand new MacBook, lol. Very smooth and effortless to maneuver. The carbon fiber fretboard is awesome. You’ve gotta play one to really know what I mean but the “attack” of the notes you play is immediate and crystal clear. I love it!

Also its profile is more traditional in feel, chunkier but not old P bass chunky. Tapers like a normal neck. Kinda like a mix between modern Jazz basses & vintage Gibsons. Unique but different, very cozy.

I’m very eager to try out their polished / non-CF fretboard necks as well but already know that they probably sound just as awesome. If you have the chance to hit up their shop, I’d say DO IT! And keep us posted on what you think!
My EGC bolt on plays similar to how you’re describing the aluminati neck but has the high polish like your RGI. It’s familiar to a P bass but not as fat front to back as a vintage P. I’m digging the profile on it

I’ve played 5 shows with it so far and it’s starting to become less mirror polished but still nicely reflective lol.
 
  • Like
Reactions: cataract
I'm not sure if this will make me a member of the club as the bass will be for sale from my dealer in Australia, but I just finished "building" my first aluminum neck bass! The idea had been in the back of my mind for some time and when I saw the Baguley neck up in the classifieds I decided to finally scratch the itch.

The thing sounds so incredibly massive. It just infinitely sustains, and the harmonic content and overtones is really just silly in the best of ways. I'm trying to source a 5 string neck now to build myself one...to keep! I don't know if anyone makes them.


Specs on this bad boy:
Swamp ash body with metallic Mary Kay finish
DiMarzio Will Power wired parallel
Belvedere (my shopmate) custom 64 P
Pan and stacked volume/tone.
Hipshot Kickass
PXL_20220920_180425787~2.jpg
 
I'm not sure if this will make me a member of the club as the bass will be for sale from my dealer in Australia, but I just finished "building" my first aluminum neck bass! The idea had been in the back of my mind for some time and when I saw the Baguley neck up in the classifieds I decided to finally scratch the itch.

The thing sounds so incredibly massive. It just infinitely sustains, and the harmonic content and overtones is really just silly in the best of ways. I'm trying to source a 5 string neck now to build myself one...to keep! I don't know if anyone makes them.


Specs on this bad boy:
Swamp ash body with metallic Mary Kay finish
DiMarzio Will Power wired parallel
Belvedere (my shopmate) custom 64 P
Pan and stacked volume/tone.
Hipshot Kickass
View attachment 4821697
Fantastic!
 
I'm not sure if this will make me a member of the club as the bass will be for sale from my dealer in Australia, but I just finished "building" my first aluminum neck bass! The idea had been in the back of my mind for some time and when I saw the Baguley neck up in the classifieds I decided to finally scratch the itch.

The thing sounds so incredibly massive. It just infinitely sustains, and the harmonic content and overtones is really just silly in the best of ways. I'm trying to source a 5 string neck now to build myself one...to keep! I don't know if anyone makes them.


Specs on this bad boy:
Swamp ash body with metallic Mary Kay finish
DiMarzio Will Power wired parallel
Belvedere (my shopmate) custom 64 P
Pan and stacked volume/tone.
Hipshot Kickass
View attachment 4821697
I believe EGC and RGI are starting to move into the realm of 5 string? not sure though :wacky:

Love the neck humbucker btw! that's how I was going to set up my custom bass before I decided on single coils. Inspired by the 70's tele basses at all?
 
I believe EGC and RGI are starting to move into the realm of 5 string? not sure though :wacky:

Love the neck humbucker btw! that's how I was going to set up my custom bass before I decided on single coils. Inspired by the 70's tele basses at all?

I'll be talking with Baguley, EGC and Aluminati moving forward. Aluminati have a 5 banger in the works and their necks are hollow too which I'm excited about because I don't really like heavy instruments. I have plans to re launch one of my guitar models with a choice of baritone or std scale aluminum neck as well.

For the neck pickup, I was a big Billy Sheehan fan in my teenage years and I've also been chatting a good bit with Jonathan Maron who's a big fan of that style and placement of pickup.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: cataract and 220_Hz
Woot! It has finally arrived!

After some past research and scoping out builders, I contacted RGI for a potential short scale aluminum neck for my Mustang bass. Originally a Fender JMJ Signature Mustang that I had modified/custom-routed by Equilibrium Guitar Repair out of Boston (when I was living up there) with a Curtis Novak BS-DS and a Serek B90 (plus a Jaguar-style pickup selector switch plate). I wanted an aluminum boi on it bad as I had become very use to and comfortable with my past 34" RGI neck on my past P bass project, and my Mustang had quickly became my #1.

For what it's worth, there was nothing wrong with the original neck on the JMJ - one of the best necks I've ever played. I just wanted the same feel back that I had with the RGI neck.

A little less then 4 months later with an initial brief back and forth with RGI on specs, it's here :)
thumbnail_4160ED28-FE29-40BD-BDBF-9CEA0E9DA0F5.jpg


For anyone familiar with RGI necks, its the same awesome fit and finish. I went with a flat brush finish on both the top and back. It definitely added a little bit of weight but nothing crazy, still very comfortable to play with a wide quality strap. Still lighter then the boat anchor that was my old Gibson Ripper. I still want to get a few more customizations done on the bass, but those can wait. Notably a nitro refin in probably a Big Muff-Green :)
 
Last edited:
Woot! It has finally arrived!

After some past research and scoping out builders, I contacted RGI for a potential short scale aluminum neck for my Mustang bass. Originally a Fender JMJ Signature Mustang that I had modified/custom-routed by Equilibrium Guitar Repair out of Boston (when I was living up there) with a Curtis Novak BS-DS and a Serek B90 (plus a Jaguar-style pickup selector switch plate). I wanted an aluminum boi on it bad as I had become very use to and comfortable with my past 34" RGI neck on my past P bass project, and my Mustang had quickly became my #1.

For what it's worth, there was nothing wrong with the original neck on the JMJ - one of the best necks I've ever played. I just wanted the same feel back that I had with the RGI neck.

A little less then 4 months later with an initial brief back and forth with RGI on specs, it's here :)
View attachment 4834250

For anyone familiar with RGI necks, its the same awesome fit and finish. I went with a flat brush finish on both the top and back. It definitely added a little bit of weight but nothing crazy, still very comfortable to play with a wide quality strap. Still lighter then the boat anchor that was my old Gibson Ripper.

That is SO COOL
 
Woot! It has finally arrived!

After some past research and scoping out builders, I contacted RGI for a potential short scale aluminum neck for my Mustang bass. Originally a Fender JMJ Signature Mustang that I had modified/custom-routed by Equilibrium Guitar Repair out of Boston (when I was living up there) with a Curtis Novak BS-DS and a Serek B90 (plus a Jaguar-style pickup selector switch plate). I wanted an aluminum boi on it bad as I had become very use to and comfortable with my past 34" RGI neck on my past P bass project, and my Mustang had quickly became my #1.

For what it's worth, there was nothing wrong with the original neck on the JMJ - one of the best necks I've ever played. I just wanted the same feel back that I had with the RGI neck.

A little less then 4 months later with an initial brief back and forth with RGI on specs, it's here :)
View attachment 4834250

For anyone familiar with RGI necks, its the same awesome fit and finish. I went with a flat brush finish on both the top and back. It definitely added a little bit of weight but nothing crazy, still very comfortable to play with a wide quality strap. Still lighter then the boat anchor that was my old Gibson Ripper. I still want to get a few more customizations done on the bass, but those can wait. Notably a nitro refin in probably a Big Muff-Green :)
Holy smokes. I gotta hear that one! Congrats!!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 220_Hz and Iommian
Woot! It has finally arrived!

After some past research and scoping out builders, I contacted RGI for a potential short scale aluminum neck for my Mustang bass. Originally a Fender JMJ Signature Mustang that I had modified/custom-routed by Equilibrium Guitar Repair out of Boston (when I was living up there) with a Curtis Novak BS-DS and a Serek B90 (plus a Jaguar-style pickup selector switch plate). I wanted an aluminum boi on it bad as I had become very use to and comfortable with my past 34" RGI neck on my past P bass project, and my Mustang had quickly became my #1.

For what it's worth, there was nothing wrong with the original neck on the JMJ - one of the best necks I've ever played. I just wanted the same feel back that I had with the RGI neck.

A little less then 4 months later with an initial brief back and forth with RGI on specs, it's here :)
View attachment 4834250

For anyone familiar with RGI necks, its the same awesome fit and finish. I went with a flat brush finish on both the top and back. It definitely added a little bit of weight but nothing crazy, still very comfortable to play with a wide quality strap. Still lighter then the boat anchor that was my old Gibson Ripper. I still want to get a few more customizations done on the bass, but those can wait. Notably a nitro refin in probably a Big Muff-Green :)

Damn. Just when I thought I was content. That’s amazing. How is the Jag plate wired? On/off for each pickup and treble cut?