does a neck affect tone

[Step]

this question might sound a bit stupid

I have a squier affinity jazz that I want to upgrade the neck on, will it sound different?

as it is now its a standard fender 20 fret neck with rosewood fingerboard, Id like to go to a warmoth 24 fret neck, all-maple, but the same dimensions

so will this affect the sound much? enough to hear a real difference?

 

[()smoke()]

as the case with wood--it depends...that's a non-answer, i know, so i'll go out on a limb and say that a warmoth neck will change the sound noticeably though not profoundly...the reinforcing bars in the warmoth neck have a lot to do with it, imo...

 

[XylemBassGuitar]

I'd have to say that the neck has a pretty noticeable effect on the sound of an instrument. Stiffness will definitely play a part, as will grain configuration, though I'm not sure exactly in which direction these will change the tone.

Also, the angle of the headstock will have an effect on sustain: steeper angles will put more pressure on the strings at the nut, increasing overall sustain.

My guess is you'll probably hear at least a subtle difference in sound between the two necks.

 

[RedemptionBass]

Wait.... I thought I remembered reading on here that the most important element to sound quality regarding neck type/construction are clay dots.

 

[()smoke()]

Wait.... I thought I remembered reading on here that the most important element to sound quality regarding neck type/construction are clay dots.

only on fretless when the string touches the clay dots

the clay gives it that elusive 'earth-tone'

 

[tjclem]

Changing from a 20 fret neck to a 24 nope no problem that I can think of.........

 

[erikbojerik]

How do you know that it's a problem with the neck?

Changing from a 20 fret neck to a 24 nope no problem that I can think of.........

Hehehe....allow me to elaborate.

YES! The neck will sound very different. Every single fretted note will be out of tune.

Simple explanation: Fender's neck-body joint is at the 15th fret....so when you replace a 20-fret neck with a 24-fret neck (of the same scale length), you need to make the neck pocket longer by 4 frets. Because the neck is longer at that end by 4 frets.

If you just slam it in "as is", all your frets will be in the wrong places, and you might as well get into Eastern semi-tonal music. :scowl:

 

[slyjoe]

Previous post is incorrect - Warmoth necks extend the fingerboard over the end of the neck - they are designed to fit standard Fender neck pockets. Now, whether they fit an Affinity is another story.

 

[jefkritz]

not to mention rosewood fbs sound warmer and maple fbs sound brighter