I don't know... Fender/Squier question?

[D M C]

I have a Fender American Standard Fender Jazz Bass. The head stock thickness is 5/8". I have a Squier CV 60's Jazz bass. The headstock thickness is 9/16". Everything else (dimensionwise) seems to be the same. Should this make a difference in tonality? Perhaps it may may make a difference in durability, but I'm not sure if it will make a difference otherwise. Any thoughts? (BTW, 1/16th of an inch doesn't seem like much, but when they are side by side, it is quite noticeable. Could it really make that much of a difference that the Chinese factory would make the determination to reduce the thickness for economic purposes?)

 

[Dogbertday]

I've been on this board since '07. I've never heard anyone say that headstock thickness might affect tone.

But let's discuss and argue for 100 pages

 

[superheavydeathmetal]

Nah. Even if the body and neck woods are the same, the specific cut of wood and electronics will make the difference.

 

[Flaked Beans]

Mim headstocks are thinner than mia's too. Hmm...

 

[Rocktometrist]

I have a few MIA Fenders and a Squier, and have also noticed the difference in headstock thickness. I think there is a theory that headstock mass effects tone and sustain (tthose fat finger devices are supposed to add more mass to the headstock to increase sustain and fix dead spots), but personally I don't think it makes any real difference. Heck, I switched out the tuners on my Squier to make the headstock even lighter, and I love that bass!

 

[P. Aaron]

Almost every aspect of how a bass is built is going to affect tone to a degree. There are probably allowable tolerances as to what can be built & shipped out.

 

[D M C]

I've been on this boardsince '07. I've never heated anyone say tat headstovk thickness might affect tone.

But let's discuss and argue for 100 pages

Well, I guess it's about time that it's thrown into the mix.

From what I'm hearing, the 5/8" headstock thickness is exclusive to the MIA basses? Who knew?

How about MIJ, or Indonesia or Korea?

 

[D M C]

BTW, what could the reason be? I have looked over the specs on the Fender web site and headstock thickness doesn't merit any mention.

 

[Muddslide]

Headstock width won't affect tone noticeably.

What you really have to be concerned about is the kind of ink they use on the headstock logo.

Some inks are known to have a significant dampening effect on your bass. With some logos, you might as well stuff pillows around your amp speakers.

 

[Wallace320]

Headstock width won't affect tone noticeably.

What you really have to be concerned about is the kind of ink they use on the headstock logo.

Some inks are known to have a significant dampening effect on your bass. With some logos, you might as well stuff pillows around your amp speakers.

Trollin' trollin' trollin' traw hide

Cheers,
Wallace

 

[reddog]

Will it change the tone? Yes. That is physics.

A lot ? Dont know.

Bought some 2 x10's yesterday at home depot. Not even 9 1/4" wide. Physics tells me its a weaker joist. How much?

 

[Kirk Bryant]

I'm thinking the air inside the control cavity affects the tone...... I call it "Tone Air"

 

[Shaunpski]

I think it would theoretically affect tone, but not for us mortals to hear. You could plane your MIA to the same thickness to see if there is a difference. If you decide to do that, let us know.

Seriously, some say the mass at the headstock does matter. But what you're talking about and given the other variables, there is no way to realistically tell. At least that's what I think.

 

[wraub]

It may affect the tone. It may do so in a way that you consider positive, or it may do the opposite. Another set of ears may perceive things differently. It may affect the tone in a negligible way, i.e. so little as to be practically no effect at all. Or, it may actually have no affect whatsoever.
Other things may influence this, and may vary with a variety of considerations (tuners, weather, wood finish, etc.)

Don't worry how thick your wood is. Just enjoy playing with it.

 

[Bmosh]

Break angle, properly placed string tree and a correctly cut nut would affect tone more than headstock thickness, I would think. As for sustain and playability ... anyone's guess

 

[Camaro69]

Will it change the tone? Yes. That is physics.

A lot ? Dont know.

Bought some 2 x10's yesterday at home depot. Not even 9 1/4" wide. Physics tells me its a weaker joist. How much?

Do those 2x 9 1/4s have a speakon connection? Is that a good tone wood?

 

[Camaro69]

Will it change the tone? Yes. That is physics.

A lot ? Dont know.

Bought some 2 x10's yesterday at home depot. Not even 9 1/4" wide. Physics tells me its a weaker joist. How much?

Weaker joist is a good name for a band too

 

[Hopkins]

BTW, what could the reason be?

A CAD file used in the CNC machine in the US drawn up in inches, vs a Metric CAD file used in China. Just a thought.

Regardless of the reason, 1/16" wont make any real world difference in tone or durability.

 

[DavC]

so you can get 1 more neck out of around 1,600 trees ... !?

 

[Nobody]

It's about time someone started an interesting thread.

It will surely affect the tone because this is talkbass and that's what we do here. One man may see a disadvantage to having a 1/16th less wood on the end of his neck but another may see an opportunity. If you want to get more better tone out your Squier this is a great time to consider a tort overlay. If you want to retain the original look of the Squier you can tort the back of the headstock and still gain all the luscious tones that tort will bring or you can go crazy and tort the front of your headstock. It's totally up to you! Basically the only downside to torting your Squier headstock is that it will sound even more tonier than your real Fender.

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