Basses with wider necks (and a more comfortable Tbird)?

[kln_bc]

Hey everyone. So I'm relatively new to bass. I tried out a ton of them before I bought my first one, and I really love the feel of my Precision. Its a fantastic guitar.

One thing that really stands out to me is the width of the neck. When I play a Jazz for example, it feels really narrow, whereas the Precision just feels right. I think this is because I've played guitar for quite a few years, and the p-bass neck (41.3mm) is more similar to a 43mm 6 string guitar neck.

Thing is, I always wanted a Tbird. I find them horribly uncomfortable. In addition to the narrow nut width, I play in classical position so the neck feels a mile away. But I was always drawn to the look and sound of them. I really wanted one for my first bass, but I just couldn't stand playing it lol.

Is there any options with a similar feel to the P-Bass? I would like to get a Jazz down the road (because they sound awesome), and that's easy; if I want to I can slap a P neck on it and call it a day. But what about a dual humbucker bass like the T-Bird...anything out there that would be more comfortable for me?

Anything else with a wider neck I should be on the lookout for? They seem less common...

 

[Warpeg]

It may be worth it to try a Stingray 4HH.

 

[abarson]

It may be worth it to try a Stingray 4HH.

That looks like a T-Bird?!?

 

[Warpeg]

That looks like a T-Bird?!?

No. A Stingray most certainly does not look like a Thunderbird. A Stingray 4HH, however, meets certain criteria called out in the OP's last paragraph (ie. "Similar feel to the P-Bass" and "dual humbucker bass like the T-Bird").

 

[abarson]

The ESP Phoenix has a 40 mm nut.
PHOENIX-1004

 

[kln_bc]

It may be worth it to try a Stingray 4HH.

Funny enough I was just perusing specs and see the Stingray actually has the same nut width as my guitars. I do like the feel of MM necks, and like the look of them...this might be the way to go.

That said, when I've heard them I wasnt the biggest fan...but those were single humbucker models, and I'm sure i could get it to sound less "wanky" for lack of a better term lol.

That looks like a T-Bird?!?

Doesn't have to look like a Tbird. I love how they look, I was always partial to Firbirds as well...but it's just not a good body shape for me. I'm ok with that. More-so looking for some of that dual bucker tone.

 

[kln_bc]

The ESP Phoenix has a 40 mm nut.
PHOENIX-1004

Nice, but it'll suffer the same issue with the body displacement. And it's a thin neck profile...pretty typical ESP.

Not looking for a Tbird body...just some of that tone.

 

[Sharko]

Epiphone Embassy might work. I don’t know the nut width but it’s basically a thunderbird made into a comfortable shape

 

[Jefenator]

IIRC my early G&L L-2000 had a relatively wide neck.
Warwick has a "broadneck" spec - usually applied to 5 & 6 strings. Never seen a 4-string example but I've seen widths listed for the hardware so they must be out there somewhere.
I love my beefy necks but I've learned to at least abide ones that are more narrow. Makes it easier to find a good J or hollowbody.

 

[micguy]

A lot of folks talk about skinny necks being "fast". For those with small hands, this is likely the case. For those of us with big hands, a skinny neck actually slows us down - everything gets all crammed together, and we play faster on a wide neck.

All my basses now are 5's, with 1 7/8" wide necks. It didn't take me long playing those before a 1 3/4" wide neck started to feel skinny. If I were ever to make another 4 string bass (not likely to happen), I think I'd make it with a 1 7/8" wide neck. Even on that big of a neck, I can "thumb over" on the lowest string, without taking my left wrist out of an ergonomic position.

 

[kln_bc]

Epiphone Embassy might work. I don’t know the nut width but it’s basically a thunderbird made into a comfortable shape

I've been seeing those mentioned in other threads. Might be worth grabbing considering the price...might just scratch that occasional Tbird itch.

IIRC my early G&L L-2000 had a relatively wide neck.
Warwick has a "broadneck" spec - usually applied to 5 & 6 strings. Never seen a 4-string example but I've seen widths listed for the hardware so they must be out there somewhere.
I love my beefy necks but I've learned to at least abide ones that are more narrow. Makes it easier to find a good J or hollowbody.

Yeah I think I could learn to deal with a narrower nut width for the right guitar. I forgot about the L2000...I'll look into them.

 

[coy garcia]

I used to think only rics had great narrow necks but now I play everything from P's, customs etc...all with different necks... thick, thin, narrow, wide.. 30.5 to 35" inch scale.
In short whatever I am gigging with next is the only one I play for few days leading up to the performance... you will adapt. Play what you like. It can be just because it looks cool...no rules.

 

[jd56hawk]

I've owned several Thunderbirds and think the Epiphone 60s T-bird is very nice, but Thunderbirds aren't even on the radar since I discovered this.
Reverend Thundergun...one of the best-kept secrets in the bass world!
42mm at the nut, 12" radius...might just be exactly what you're looking for.

 

[kln_bc]

I used to think only rics had great narrow necks but now I play everything from P's, customs etc...all with different necks... thick, thin, narrow, wide.. 30.5 to 35" inch scale.
In short whatever I am gigging with next is the only one I play for few days leading up to the performance... you will adapt. Play what you like. It can be just because it looks cool...no rules.

That's actually not a bad idea. I struggle going g back and forth from song to song, but if I use one for a few days I will adapt.

I've owned several Thunderbirds and think the Epiphone 60s is very nice, but they've been off the radar since I discovered this.
Reverend Thundergun.
42mm at the nut, 12" radius...might just be exactly what you're looking for.

That's a beaut...very much has that same vibe, but obviously laid out much better. I'll have to check one out!

 

[buldog5151bass]

Lull makes basses with a Tbird pickup, and you can get a Pneck.

 

[Engle]

Hey everyone. So I'm relatively new to bass. I tried out a ton of them before I bought my first one, and I really love the feel of my Precision. Its a fantastic guitar.

One thing that really stands out to me is the width of the neck. When I play a Jazz for example, it feels really narrow, whereas the Precision just feels right. I think this is because I've played guitar for quite a few years, and the p-bass neck (41.3mm) is more similar to a 43mm 6 string guitar neck.

Thing is, I always wanted a Tbird. I find them horribly uncomfortable. In addition to the narrow nut width, I play in classical position so the neck feels a mile away. But I was always drawn to the look and sound of them. I really wanted one for my first bass, but I just couldn't stand playing it lol.

Is there any options with a similar feel to the P-Bass? I would like to get a Jazz down the road (because they sound awesome), and that's easy; if I want to I can slap a P neck on it and call it a day. But what about a dual humbucker bass like the T-Bird...anything out there that would be more comfortable for me?

Anything else with a wider neck I should be on the lookout for? They seem less common...

Have you looked at the Gibson Non-Reverse Tbird? It has a chunkier neck than the Reverse:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[kln_bc]

Have you looked at the Gibson Non-Reverse Tbird? It has a chunkier neck than the Reverse:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Yeah, but it's like the Tbirds ugly cousin lol.

 

[lermgalieu]

I've owned several Thunderbirds and think the Epiphone 60s T-bird is very nice, but Thunderbirds aren't even on the radar since I discovered this.
Reverend Thundergun...one of the best-kept secrets in the bass world!
42mm at the nut, 12" radius...might just be exactly what you're looking for.

+1! LOVE my Thundergun!

 

[Lammchop93]

The non reverse thunderbirds have a wider neck. The gene simmons tbird also has a thicker neck.

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

A number of folks make various versions of these:

But they still have neck dive... Dean made an Entwistle model a little while back.

The Bar Band Bassman