Best thin neck electric bass?

[Lownote38]

For 5 string, the old Fender MB-5 basses are as slim as they get (if you can find one). It makes any other 5 string neck feel like a giant redwood tree.

 

[bass.slinger]

Geddy Lee Jazz basses have very thin necks. Thinner than a standard Jazz bass. Some of the MIJ Geddys were really thin. They also sound great.

The MIM and CIJ Geddy basses have thin necks - US series has a thicker neck. Another plug for the Ibanez SR series and some ESP / LTD’s have thin necks. I think the new Charvel PJ also has a thin neck.

 

[svlilioukalani]

The 2 best I have played are

1. Tobias Basic
2. Older Fender Geddy Lee

 

[themickster]

I am a small handed person, but decent at bass guitar.
I want to get an electric bass that has a smaller width on the fret board, a matte neck, and a thinner neck thickness as well.

I used to own a Schecter Stiletto, and I liked it, but I didn’t get one with a matte neck finish so I ended up sanding off the resin coat on my neck and putting a seal and matte finish on it. Alas, even the neck on that was a little too thick.

So, does anyone know where I might get my hands on one like this without having to fix a neck up myself or getting a custom?

I want it to sound decent, and don’t want to sacrifice quality. I just want to be able to play it properly.

Ibanez SR500E upwards have satin necks. The build is as good as you can get. The active EQ has a wide range and has a bypass switch. The neck is as thin as they come. SRs are a dream to play. I have three, two 300Es and a 600E.

 

[packhowitzer]

Geddy Lee Jazz basses have very thin necks. Thinner than a standard Jazz bass. Some of the MIJ Geddys were really thin. They also sound great.

My CIJ Geddy Lee Jazz if from the last year they were made in Japan before production moved to Mexico (2007 or 2008?). Anyway, the neck is incredibly thin at the nut - almost to the point of making me wonder if it's less stable than a slightly more substantial neck would be. I do remember as soon as the MIMs came out, I played one at my local GC and while the fit and finish wasn't quite as nice as my CIJ, I thought the neck felt better in my hands. That tiny extra bit of material just made it feel more solid somehow. Might have been all in my head - i've never had stability issues with mine, but it definitely feels like the most delicate jazz neck I've ever played.

 

[mb94952]

IBANEZ SDGR !!!

 

[kcducttaper]

Also a small handed muppet and I own both a Schecter Stiletto Custom 5 and a couple Ibanez SR series basses. The SR neck does indeed feel just a little bit smaller than the Schecter, but not by a whole lot. I think the difference in finish would be worth more than the difference in measurements, TBH.

Ibanez SR 755 on the left - Schecter Stiletto Custom 5 on the right. They both look nearly the same thickness, but the SR does feel just a tiny bit thinner. I've had the SR for 12 years and it's never given me any trouble with a weak neck. Both great basses!

 

[mongo2]

My favorite narrow neck bass is the shortscale Hofner Ignition Club bass. I've used one since they first became available. I found them very comfortabe and very easy to play.

 

[kraken_kr]

Yamaha Motion Bass!! It is the most comfortable neck i have played!

 

[Topkat13]

Ultimately you will have to decide. Lots of basses with thin necks. Lots of players with small hands. May the groove be with you.

 

[SLPimp]

I am a small handed person, but decent at bass guitar.
I want to get an electric bass that has a smaller width on the fret board, a matte neck, and a thinner neck thickness as well.

I used to own a Schecter Stiletto, and I liked it, but I didn’t get one with a matte neck finish so I ended up sanding off the resin coat on my neck and putting a seal and matte finish on it. Alas, even the neck on that was a little too thick.

So, does anyone know where I might get my hands on one like this without having to fix a neck up myself or getting a custom?

I want it to sound decent, and don’t want to sacrifice quality. I just want to be able to play it properly.

The Schecter Banshee bass has a thin D profile, a 1.5" nut, and a 14" radius. Plays faster than my other short scale that's a 9.5" C.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Guild Pilot bass has a thin neck.

 

[micahwc]

If you want a thin neck get an Ibanez Soundgear

 

[JC2238]

If you're not looking for new, I have two Peavey Palaedium basses, and one dean Jeff Berlin euro. Pretty sure you're not going to find thinner necks. I've not played one, but the Cort Rithmic must be pretty similar. All passive, but that does not seem to be part of the question. Anyhow, good luck.

 

[skygzr]

One more vote for the ibanez SR series, for all the reasons everyone says.

I’ve also got a Jackson Spectra. It’s a 5 string and has a 35” scale. Very playable instrument.

 

[Iristone]

A Thunderbird has a thin neck too - but it's gloss.

 

[DRBP]

Guild Pilot bass has a thin neck.

View attachment 4502989

yup i have one of these too so i agree. not as thin as the CIJ geddy lee. but it is on the thinner and narrower end of the spectrum and a REALLY nice bass to play.

 

[DJ Bebop]

yup i have one of these too so i agree. not as thin as the CIJ geddy lee. but it is on the thinner and narrower end of the spectrum and a REALLY nice bass to play.

Yup, I had one here for a long time that belong to a friend.
I have a Squire VM fretless jazz that I think also has a thin neck, to my feel

 

[Ductapeman]

Before you commit to a bass, at least try to find a Danelectro Longhorn to try out. They are cheap, light, small, and pack a wallop out of all proportion to either its size or price. Try to play one through a decent amp, and you'll see. Maybe not the one for you, but I think you should at least try one. I'd loan you mine if you lived up here in Washington State.

 

[SoCal80s]

Ibanez is certainly a good recommendation. But I would also check out Schecter basses, thinest necks I've seen.