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Hello Luthiers. I have an easy question for you.

Discussion in 'Luthier's Corner' started by Kaa, Aug 1, 2009.

  1. Aug 1, 2009 #1
    Kaa

    Kaa

    Sep 28, 2004
    Cleveland, Ohio
    Actually it's a 2 parter.

    1. What wood would you recommend for a neck for a Koa bodied bass? I would be looking for a nice warm middle of the road tone.

    2. How much would this neck cost for me to have built? specs would be 24 fret (last fret at end of neck), 2+ 2 headstock (3+1 is fine) J width, deep C shape?

    I'm just starting to look into this, so any help would be great.
     
  2. Aug 1, 2009 #2
    Kaa

    Kaa

    Sep 28, 2004
    Cleveland, Ohio
    as a followup with more detail: I have a graphite neck and am looking to re3place it with a nice wooden one. It is a P width neck, and I find myyself wanting a J width neck.

    I have looked around at some of the parts places, but they don't offer a neck that actually has the end of the fretboard and the end of the neck at the same spot in a 24/2octave style.

    So I'm looking at a possible build.
     
  3. Aug 1, 2009 #3
    jworrellbass

    jworrellbass Commercial User

    May 17, 2009
    Colorado Springs CO
    Owner, builder: jworrellbass
    Ok I'll take a shot at this one, I'm sure I will get lots of different answers but at least we will get the ball rolling. I assume it's a bolt on neck, a replacement right? I would think a 5 piece wenge/maple with a rosewood fingerboard would look great with koa and the rosewood will give you a mellower tone. You also need to think about your frets, higher frets will give more metal sound, while smaller frets will bring out the wood sound.
     
  4. Aug 1, 2009 #4
    Kaa

    Kaa

    Sep 28, 2004
    Cleveland, Ohio
    J,
    Yes, a bolt-on replacement. I'd probably go with more vintage style frets, but this is the exact type of info I was seeking. thanks.
     
  5. Aug 1, 2009 #5
    OHSPyro89

    OHSPyro89

    Jun 21, 2009
    As for cost from a luthier, it'll be pretty pricey more than likely. I think a neck that is 300-500 if not more would be a reasonable price. If you did it yourself, you could save a ton and learn something!

    I live in Orrville Ohio, home of Smuckers!, and I was just passed through lakewood the other day!
     
  6. Aug 1, 2009 #6
    Beej

    Beej

    Feb 10, 2007
    Vancouver Island
    I don't want to start a tone war, but in my view, if you want a nice warm, middle of the road tone, you just need to stand in the middle of a road on a nice warm day...

    :D
     
  7. Aug 2, 2009 #7
    roberthabraken

    roberthabraken

    Jan 8, 2009
    The Netherlands
    Then don't. :scowl:
     
  8. Aug 2, 2009 #8
    Beej

    Beej

    Feb 10, 2007
    Vancouver Island
    You nedderlanders... no sense of humour...

    :D
     
  9. Aug 2, 2009 #9
    Musiclogic

    Musiclogic Commercial User

    Aug 6, 2005
    Southwest Michigan
    Owner/Builder: HJC Customs USA, The Cool Lute, C G O
    The Koa body will give you the sound you seek, necks on bolt on's effect the tone very little,(although this leads to a great deal of conjecture)[your graphite is a different case] I would also go for the rosewood neck, but go for a more traditional maple neck with walnut skunk stripe, much like you can find in many of the aftermarket Fender necks, WD, Allparts, Warmoth, Mighty Mite, Stew Mac, etc, and the are all quite cost effective. Warmoth, Allparts and WD all have 20,21,22, and 24 fret models. Warmoth is a good source if you want a different wood combination. Carvin also makes a decent neck.