All this information is beginning to get me anxious wanting my build soon!Great question.
Unfortunately we can be 100% certain that any neck dimensions that deviate from YJ's 1959/1960 vintage template (43mm nut) or the 1962/1964 J-bass alternative (38mm nut width) will never be made, the vintage radius included.
The reason is five-fold, and is a great opportunity to being up a little of the "Moollon why", since it comes up fairly often in email and DM's, and will probably continue to...Note just as importantly that a number of the following can also be applied to why YJ is insistent on not taking custom requests or adding additional options: (1) YJ really likes the "collective perfection" of the every aspect of the models put out in those years (unintentional quirks and all) that most certainly includes the neck profile and nut width, such necks being (2) a comfortable size for most people both new to vintage-reproduction-minded builds like Moollons as well as most hands in general, (3) YJ wanting consistency with as little surprises on the used market as possible, (4) talk of certain Moollon special accommodations made in the early years being brought up during the ordering process as if they were normal options, the immediate impact being (5) overwhelmed as a luthier, since he is the unassisted entirety of Moollon working without CNC machines, not to mention any assisting pickup winders or in-house tech folks, etc. Just as necks and bodies are done by YJ in batches in order to streamline a collective workforce, you can imagine how adding just one more neck option would complicate things all the more, especially since each hand-shaped neck needs to be a 1:1 match to a body without being too tight or with any predictable gap forming as the bass adjusts to its new home...yet another point of concern, since nitrocellulose lacquer doesn't have the "freezing power" that a thick and solid polyurethane shell can provide to assist in the overall rigidity of the neck pocket/gap.
tl;dr there's a whole lot going on at the Moollon shop for one single dood to handle
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Thank you and I Gasho to YJ, and you.Great question.
Unfortunately we can be 100% certain that any neck dimensions that deviate from YJ's 1959/1960 vintage template (43mm nut) or the 1962/1964 J-bass alternative (38mm nut width) will never be made, the vintage radius included.
The reason is five-fold, and is a great opportunity to being up a little of the "Moollon why", since it comes up fairly often in email and DM's, and will probably continue to...Note just as importantly that a number of the following can also be applied to why YJ is insistent on not taking custom requests or adding additional options: (1) YJ really likes the "collective perfection" of the every aspect of the models put out in those years (unintentional quirks and all) that most certainly includes the neck profile and nut width, such necks being (2) a comfortable size for most people both new to vintage-reproduction-minded builds like Moollons as well as most hands in general, (3) YJ wanting consistency with as little surprises on the used market as possible, (4) talk of certain Moollon special accommodations made in the early years being brought up during the ordering process as if they were normal options, the immediate impact being (5) overwhelmed as a luthier, since he is the unassisted entirety of Moollon working without CNC machines, not to mention any assisting pickup winders or in-house tech folks, etc. Just as necks and bodies are done by YJ in batches in order to streamline a collective workforce, you can imagine how adding just one more neck option would complicate things all the more, especially since each hand-shaped neck needs to be a 1:1 match to a body without being too tight or with any predictable gap forming as the bass adjusts to its new home...yet another point of concern, since nitrocellulose lacquer doesn't have the "freezing power" that a thick and solid polyurethane shell can provide to assist in the overall rigidity of the neck pocket/gap.
tl;dr there's a whole lot going on at the Moollon shop for one single dood to handle
How did YJ come up with the 5 string neck profile since that did not exist in 1959/60?
I'd like to know, too. The choice to go with 12" radius is something I'm grateful for, regardless.
Ultradust
Commercial User
- May 19, 2007
- 227
- 1,052
- Disclosures
- General Manager, Moollon
Yeah, the 5-string neck is an altogether different idea.
When asked at Winter NAMM over the years, YJ was fairly open about the radius, profile, and nut being more of a "let's see what sticks" deal, knowing full well that vintage history had nothing to offer that he could attached a familiar concept to, dimensions-wise. Of course, this came down to finding the most comfortable back-to-front and overall string spacing, and local bassists over here were a huge help early on with the fine-tuning that led up to the aforementioned J-Classic V prototype.
Early J-V models (roughly 2010 - 2012 or so, including some that have graced this page) have a wider 47mm nut width, and additional feedback from players both domestic and abroad led to the development of the 45mm nut width and specs set for good, which were permanently applied to all 5-bangers: J-V, P-V, B524, and the discontinued NY524.
But believe it or not, the reason for the first J-Classic V in the first place actually grew out of the response that players had to the uniformity of timbre across the scale and from string to string of P-IVs and J-IVs , and not necessarily plans to expand the line-up with the extended scale to start with...But no doubt the dense pre-CBS-spec hardware and thin nitro finishes played a huge roll in the collective result, and gratefully "that focused Moollon B string" as they began to be known for among visitors to the NAMM booth was a welcome side-effect of the recipe in place. And for all his modesty and lack of emotion openly expressed, the final result of the J-Classic V was honestly a bigger surprise for YJ than he had anticipated.
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I honestly did not expect that I could love what I thought was such a wide neck, but it's supremely comfortable. And yeah, 45mm for days.
A J-Classic V starts at $2699. New with a matching headstock, is $2799 US all day.
It is used. An extremely high-demand item with a 2 year wait will command as-new prices even if it's second hand. Pretty much the norm in the Moollon world now.
It's listed under used and has a few paint chips. Looks pretty nice from the pics but the pics are small.
I personally wouldn't pay the same price as a new one but some are fine with that.
I personally wouldn't pay the same price as a new one but some are fine with that.
It is used. And not pristine. Sorry, but I find that annoying. The market will get what it will get with or without my opinion, I'm aware.
Im just twirling my thumbs waiting for the next batch of photos from Andi on Facebook
The specs quote the nut at 1 13/16". Wouldn't that put it squarely in between the old spec (47mm) and the new spec (45mm)? I am 11 months into my JV order and am happy to wait for the narrower spec myself.
More like this refreshing my inbox for that email...
- Apr 6, 2007
- 778
- 550
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Fishman Transducers, Aguilar Amplifiers, Ear Trumpet Labs
I decided I am more of a P kinda player. So, I’m throwing this out to the club: straight trade for a killer Moollon Jazz V for a Moollon P V. (The Jazz V has been recently set up and plecked by SF Guitar Works, so it is a truly killer playing bass guitar).
Edit: photo added.
Edit: photo added.
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