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Fender precision neck help

T

Thexfactor40

Feb 28, 2019
12
4
#1
Ok I love my American precision the way it sounds is awesome.
As I am getting older tho I am losing dexterity in my hands from working all the time. My question is 1 can I swap a 60’s jazz neck on a p body with no issues
2 if not does anyone have a duff mckagan series bass if so is the neck easier to play then a pbass or a Geddy lee signature I heard that the neck is the thinnest on it. let me know everyone’s thoughts I know they won’t sell those necks without buying the bass so I would probably be back to swapping necks again if the didn’t deliver the same sound
 
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#2
Hiya,

Sorry to hear of your dexterity issues. As far as swapping necks, both the Precision and the Jazz use the same standard neck pocket dimensions and screw hole spacing so you can swap P and J necks and bodies to your hearts content. (Keeping in mind that there are some models that have differences such as the boner basses, Precision Lyte, Jazz 24 and such that are the exception)

Myself, both my P's have Jazz necks, one with a 62 RI and the other with a Warmoth bloodwood/ebony. I used to have a no-name Jazz parts bass with a maple P neck and years ago I had a MIJ Jazz that I used to swap between the fretted Jazz neck and a '76 fretless maple P neck. I believe Duck Dunn had Jazz necks on a lot of his P's and there is a video of Bobby Vega talking about how he put together a P with a Jazz neck.

Tom
 
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#3
I love a J neck on a P. My main bass, a Hammersmith PJ, has a J style neck, and so does my cheapo parts PJ. I'm not bothered by a P neck, but I'd rather play a J. Shouldn't be an issue to swap as long as you stick with the basic J style neck as Tomd says.
 
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#4
Yep. All Fender P and J necks (with a few rare exceptions) are interchangeable. Plus, there are lots of companies that make aftermarket Fender necks. Warmoth, Mighty Mite, etc.

You should be able to find your dream neck no problem. First and foremost, the one you asked about will swap directly.
 
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#5
tomd999 said:
Hiya,

Sorry to hear of your dexterity issues. As far as swapping necks, both the Precision and the Jazz use the same standard neck pocket dimensions and screw hole spacing so you can swap P and J necks and bodies to your hearts content. (Keeping in mind that there are some models that have differences such as the boner basses, Precision Lyte, Jazz 24 and such that are the exception)

Myself, both my P's have Jazz necks, one with a 62 RI and the other with a Warmoth bloodwood/ebony. I used to have a no-name Jazz parts bass with a maple P neck and years ago I had a MIJ Jazz that I used to swap between the fretted Jazz neck and a '76 fretless maple P neck. I believe Duck Dunn had Jazz necks on a lot of his P's and there is a video of Bobby Vega talking about how he put together a P with a Jazz neck.

Tom
Click to expand...

I was actually thinking about a 62 reissue Tom. I have heard that those are one of the thinnest necks as far as fenders go. Any truth to this?
 
#6
There shouldn’t be any issues in most cases. The only possible exceptions among standard models I can think of would be any Jazz neck with a 3-bolt pattern, and certain Fender Japan models. I seem to remember reading on the forums a while back that the neck heel depths may not be the same on some Japanese models as on the American or Mexican models. I could be wrong about this, however.

As far as a shallow neck, I’d try to find an American Special P or J bass neck. The American Specials have a “shallow C” profile, which is very thin front-to-back. I personally think the shallow-c P Bass neck is more comfortable than the J Bass version, but if you need the narrower nut with a slimmer profile, the American Special Jazz neck may be worth looking at. Good luck with your diagnosis, and I hope this helps.
 
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#7
Thexfactor40 said:
I was actually thinking about a 62 reissue Tom. I have heard that those are one of the thinnest necks as far as fenders go. Any truth to this?
Click to expand...

They are the flattest from front to back and pretty thin at the nut. The 70's Jazz neck style is thicker front to back, and I find them harder to play even though they may be thinner at the nut. For a Jazz, I have always preferred the 60's neck profile.
 
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#8
If you decide to go with warmoth get the “slim” profile. They are great necks out of the box but the standard profile is chunky. Also, I would spring for the carbon fiber rods as the steel ones that are standard are a bit heavy. Be wary buying used as some may be selling necks due to issues, just my 2 cents. Good luck hope you find a good neck !
 
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#10
king_biscuit said:
Curious how old you are, and do you have a medical condition like arthritis that makes it hard to play? Also, how long have you been playing?
Click to expand...

I have been playing for about 30 years but I don’t believe it’s just the playing that has caused this if that is what you are wondering. I have also been working with my hands for work for roughly almost as long. It’s just taking a toll now I notice I just can’t get around like I used to on the neck sometimes it’s even painful playing. Some days are worse then others of course just trying to help myself out for awhile
 
#11
Thexfactor40 said:
I have been playing for about 30 years but I don’t believe it’s just the playing that has caused this if that is what you are wondering. I have also been working with my hands for work for roughly almost as long. It’s just taking a toll now I notice I just can’t get around like I used to on the neck sometimes it’s even painful playing. Some days are worse then others of course just trying to help myself out for awhile
Click to expand...

Maybe try lighter strings and lower action and see if that helps.
 
#13
Tbone76 said:
There shouldn’t be any issues in most cases. The only possible exceptions among standard models I can think of would be any Jazz neck with a 3-bolt pattern, and certain Fender Japan models. I seem to remember reading on the forums a while back that the neck heel depths may not be the same on some Japanese models as on the American or Mexican models. I could be wrong about this, however.

As far as a shallow neck, I’d try to find an American Special P or J bass neck. The American Specials have a “shallow C” profile, which is very thin front-to-back. I personally think the shallow-c P Bass neck is more comfortable than the J Bass version, but if you need the narrower nut with a slimmer profile, the American Special Jazz neck may be worth looking at. Good luck with your diagnosis, and I hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Do you have a specific year you are speaking of also the shallow c on the p is a considerable difference then a normal American p?
 
#15
Thexfactor40 said:
Do you have a specific year you are speaking of also the shallow c on the p is a considerable difference then a normal American p?
Click to expand...
The Slim-C or Shallow-C neck (I always forget the actual name of it) was the neck profile on the Fender American Special series basses, and they went out of production on 2014 or 2015. They were the replacement models for the Highway One series basses, and were the more budget friendly American made Fender basses. The Shallow-C profile was the neck profile on the American Special series basses during their entire production run, which started in 2011. I don’t know, however, if the earlier Highway One and Highway 1 basses (which the American Special series basses replaced) had this same neck profile. It was also an option for a short time on the Mod Shop builder on Fender’s website, but it doesn’t look to be a current option there.

TL:DR-the Shallow-C (or Slim-C) neck profile was the standard neck profile for the American Special series Precision and Jazz basses for their entire production run from 2011-2014/15. The Special Honeyburst Precision Basses also use this neck profile. In addition, the American Special basses also have posiflex support rods for stability, the same as the American Standard basses. They also use the Standard (Mexican standard model) tuners, not the American Standard style lightweight tuners.

Hope this helps, good luck:bassist:
 
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#18
The Flea Jazz bass, the one that's road worm, faded pick with two jazz pickups has a very thin comfortable neck. It is slightly thinner than any other Jazz I have, which includes a CS, a 64 AVRI, an '08 Road Worn, and a Nash relic.

This one: Invalid Link Removed

That neck will fit on a normal Fender P-bass, and feels great.

Have you looked into physical therapy for your hands? I'm 70 and have various hand issues, but P.T., aspirin, and lot's of piano practice and upright playing keep my hands going for electric bass. Also, technique can help address issues in the fretting hand, especially. There are a variety of threads on TB about hand issues you might look for.
 
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#20
Thexfactor40 said:
Do you have a specific year you are speaking of also the shallow c on the p is a considerable difference then a normal American p?
Click to expand...
I realized I never answered your question regarding the American P neck. The Slim-C neck is definitely thinner front to back than the American Standard series basses from the same time frame. I owned a 2012 American Standard P with the Modern-C profile at the same time I owned my Honeyburst P with the Slim-C profile, and the difference was immediately apparent. The Modern-C is more rounded, while the Slim-C neck felt distinctly more flat where you typically rest your fretting-hand thumb while playing. It felt very similar to an Ibanez neck profile, but just a tiny bit thicker.
 

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