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Fender Classic 50s Precision neck profile

sideFX

sideFX

Feb 14, 2013
734
399
Greece
null-move.bandcamp.com
#1
I'm gassing for this bass and since there's no option of trying it myself, I could use some help.

My main bass at the moment is an SbMM Ray 34 which has a satin neck with a 12 inch radius and 43mm(=1.69 inch) nut width.

Has anyone had the chance of having/having played both of them, how do the necks compare side by side in play and feel?

I'm more interested on the thickness of the neck front to back compared to my Ray, and whether the Fender 50s is easier or harder to play with the 7.25 radius, coming from my Ray's 12".
 
#3
This is really a personal preference and the two necks are different.

I like the 7.25 radius over a flatter profile myself but it's not a deal breaker. It's usually not a big deal for many bassists compared to guitarists, unless you are a string bender or chorder.

Also, the 50s P has a 1.75" width neck, which a lot of folks find undesirable, especially those who desire nothing but 1.5" wide necks. Again I don't have an issue with it but I have larger hands. My 50s P neck is thinnish from front to back. The width of the neck may be influencing my perception of the thickness.

One final difference is that the Ray34 you have has a satin neck whereas the 50s P is a high gloss finish. I know gloss neck finishes are not in vogue these days but I really like it.
 
#4
The nut width (and string spacing) coupled with the smaller radius can be a bit weird at first, but you'll manage fine. The neck is thick, but it still is a C shape (not U). It's a very comfortable neck to play on imho, but it doesn't have a satin feel: it is a very thick and glossy poly finish and can tend to stick a bit.
 
#7
sideFX said:
@ Cyborg: I'll probably won't be able to tell much (if any) difference between the 43mm neck of my Ray and the 44.5mm of the 50s P.
My main concern with this string spacing is if it's gonna fell awkward/uncomfortable to play cause of the 7.25 radius and the thickness front to back.
Click to expand...

The 7.25 radius will have a different feel but it's not like it'll be something totally foreign, IMHO. The thickness of my 50s P is thinner to me. It's definitely a "C" shaped neck and not a "U" shaped baseball bat.
 
#8
I agree with Cyborg and like the gloss finish...never bothers me at all and actually prefer it. The 50's Classic P is one of Fender's best deals imo and lacks for nothing as a great Precision at any price point.
 

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