I'm curious if you notice a tonal difference with this lighter neck? I have a fender flea sign, and it's wayyyy lighter than any bass I've owned, namely because of the incredibly thin neck. I've noticed that there's a weirdly less present tonal spot in the midrange of pitch. The bass sounds incredible, and I love how it plays, but I found that to be interesting. I've also fixed this completely with a little compression, so no big deal. I love how light the damn thing is, hope you enjoy the new setup!
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Heavy neck = more stable?
- Thread starter birminghambass
- Start date
Hi birmi 
Nope! Just enjoy...
... the best neck for metal
greetings
wise
Nope! Just enjoy...
... the best neck for metal
greetings
wise
This is very true. I am not as stable as I was when younger.
I believe my Highway One has dual graphite support rods inside it, along with the truss rod (of course)... pretty thin maple neck with rosewood fretboard... that thing doesn't move, until I groove.
I've always assumed that necks become more stiff (resistance to bending) and more stable (consistence over time) as they became thicker.
So those pencil think J-width necks should be the ones that give more problems than the baseball bat thick J-width necks.
My 34" J neck is quite thick. And has a dual action truss rod (more metal) plus two steel bars. Stable.
So those pencil think J-width necks should be the ones that give more problems than the baseball bat thick J-width necks.
My 34" J neck is quite thick. And has a dual action truss rod (more metal) plus two steel bars. Stable.
I'll add this from a very long time repairing, and building basses. I've played and owned a lot of basses as well. Wood, even the same sized billets, varies in terms of weight, density, and grain orientation. String basses, can have either wide, or close grained spruce tops. It's up to the Luthier to choose what will produce the tone they're after in the instrument.
Custom builders offer the same models in many different wood options. What I have come to believe- is not all that much in terms of neck weight will change or improve a bass. It is, neck strength, and RIGIDITY that matters. I built one instrument with a mahogany neck, of simply average strength. It has an ebony fingerboard, and is flexible enough to actually use that to create subtle vibrato effects. It has a VERY strong Martin single acting truss rod in an aluminum 'U' channel. The neck, is super strong. Yes, it's heavier than if I had used a simple threaded rod alone. The bass still sounds incredible, and the big benefit- I have only adjusted the neck once, since 1980 when I built it. I have two other basses with that rod- it is an incredibly strong unit. Remember this- when a factory is building huge numbers of instruments, they simply do not have time, or the need to hand weigh and select the 'cream of the crop' for each bass. That's why they all now have 'custom shops.' I know some players that believe heavier basses sound better. I've never believed that, nor do I think a heavier neck of the same wood species would make much difference, if any at all.
Custom builders offer the same models in many different wood options. What I have come to believe- is not all that much in terms of neck weight will change or improve a bass. It is, neck strength, and RIGIDITY that matters. I built one instrument with a mahogany neck, of simply average strength. It has an ebony fingerboard, and is flexible enough to actually use that to create subtle vibrato effects. It has a VERY strong Martin single acting truss rod in an aluminum 'U' channel. The neck, is super strong. Yes, it's heavier than if I had used a simple threaded rod alone. The bass still sounds incredible, and the big benefit- I have only adjusted the neck once, since 1980 when I built it. I have two other basses with that rod- it is an incredibly strong unit. Remember this- when a factory is building huge numbers of instruments, they simply do not have time, or the need to hand weigh and select the 'cream of the crop' for each bass. That's why they all now have 'custom shops.' I know some players that believe heavier basses sound better. I've never believed that, nor do I think a heavier neck of the same wood species would make much difference, if any at all.
