Fender A-B-C Necks

[Marc61]

So, the A B and C neck designations only refer to the nut width?

It's funny because I dig the nut with of 1.75" on my Ric. Never measured the width on the 75P bass I just bought because I just dug it. Yesterday I measured out of curiosity and it's 1.625.Does that make it a B neck? I'm looking for a backup to this guy and I want to make sure I get something that feels the same

 

[Jeff Scott]

Yes, that is a B neck:

A - 1.5"
B - 1.625"
C - 1.75"

Which Rick do you have with a "C" neck? Most that i have measured and played were around "B" in width.

 

[Marc61]

2010 4003. Maybe I should measure it again

 

[Marc61]

Pics

 

[Burwabit]

good to know. been wondering this. i'm a nube, but i was thinking A and C somehow had to do with the shaping.

 

[Marc61]

That's what I thought. I have trouble with Jazz bass necks but, looking at this pic it almost looks like I have an A neck

 

[JTE]

The term "C" is used to describe a shape. It's an official term now, but that's relatively recent in Fender's history. The A, B, C, and D designations DO refer to nut width. But width is only one of many variables that affect the feel of a particular neck.

John

 

[The Bass Clef]

It gets confusing because neck profile shapes are referred to as "C", "D", "U" and "V". These refer to the shape of the back of the neck.

Then there are nut widths which are called "A", "B", and "C", meaning 1.5", 1.65" and 1.75" respectively.

 

[Marc61]

So, there's no D width for neck.

C neck I'm guessing is round back and some type of radius, while a D neck would be a flat radius. V shaped neck I've seen. What's an example of a U neck?

 

[Davo-London]

I have a stamped C neck 1964 Precision and it is wide at the nut (1.75") but relatively thin back to front. I much prefer it to the baseball bat style (is that a "D"?) of my 1976 Precision but they both have a radius.

Davo

 

[Marc61]

I wonder if there is something on the Fender or other manufacturer site that is definitive

 

[mickster2]

I wonder if there is something on the Fender or other manufacturer site that is definitive

Here ya go: Invalid Link Removed

 

[E.J. T.N.T.]

Since this is getting a little confusing for the OP:

Letters used for width
A = 1 1/2" wide at the nut.
B = 1 5/8" wide at the nut.
C = 1 3/4" wide at the nut.
D = 1 7/8" wide at the nut.

Letters used for shapes:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I am not aware of any "D" width bass necks.

Moreover I am not aware of any V shaped necks. I personally hate D shaped necks (both bass and guitar) from the bottom of my soul. There I said it.

 

[The Bass Clef]

So, there's no D width for neck.

C neck I'm guessing is round back and some type of radius, while a D neck would be a flat radius. V shaped neck I've seen. What's an example of a U neck?

There might be a D nut width made, but I've never seen one so I dunno. Normally A, B or C are your choices ot the nut width. Some B necks are also 1 9/16" intstead of 1 5/8" - my '73 P (the one in my avatar) has one of these necks.

The neck profiles are the back of the neck's shape and have nothing to to with the fingerboard radius. You can have whatever radius on whatever profile shape.

The Geddy Lee RI says it's a "'70s U shape neck". So I suppose the the "U"s are like really thin "D"s.?

The only "V"s I've seen are some of the early '50s P basses. I used to work for a guy who had a '53 P with a hard V neck. It was the raddest bass ever with the most uncomfortable neck ever, lol.

I have a stamped C neck 1964 Precision and it is wide at the nut (1.75") but relatively thin back to front. I much prefer it to the baseball bat style (is that a "D"?) of my 1976 Precision but they both have a radius.

Davo

I could be wrong, but I believe the baseball bat necks are Ds. I'm guessing your '64 would be a "U" since those necks are wide and thin?

Since this is getting a little confusing for the OP:

Letters used for width
A = 1 1/2" wide at the nut.
B = 1 5/8" wide at the nut.
C = 1 3/4" wide at the nut.
D = 1 7/8" wide at the nut.

Letters used for shapes:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I am not aware of any "D" width bass necks.

Moreover I am not aware of any V shaped necks. I personally hate D shaped necks (both bass and guitar) from the bottom of my soul. There I said it.

Nice link!

 

[johnpbass]

Recently picked up an American Spec. Precision. The width at the nut is 1.625" but the neck is shallow depth wise. Not sure what letter designation that is though.

 

[mickster2]

Recently picked up an American Spec. Precision. The width at the nut is 1.625" but the neck is shallow depth wise. Not sure what letter designation that is though.

Fender call that a 'slim C' shape, as opposed to the 'Modern C' on the US Standards, which is deeper:
Invalid Link Removed

 

[Dubista]

Fender call that a 'slim C' shape, as opposed to the 'Modern C' on the US Standards, which is deeper:
Invalid Link Removed

The way I understand it is that there are letter designations for the nut width, and another letter to describe the shape of the curvature of the neck. Unfortunately, these designations share some letters and often leads to confusion.

 

[Marc61]

Here ya go: Link Removed

Great link. I have to believe D width necks are pretty rare, but that doesn't make them desirable.

So my Ric is definitely a U shape. I'm going to say my Fender is as well

 

[48thStreetCustom]

Got this emailed to me today


Demystifying Fender Neck Sizes Based On Letter Designations

 

[pbass888]

jeff andrews ... one of the best has a p bass d width and it plays great. a real gem (late sixties I believe he told me ) and a jazz pup installed. The neck is incredible ..really easy to play ( I play jazz necks ). if feels flat and wide to me.