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I have an idea, but what is meant by "U" shape or "C" shape neck?

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by DaveCustomMade, Dec 5, 2007.

  1. Dec 5, 2007 #1
    DaveCustomMade

    DaveCustomMade Guest

    Apr 23, 2004
    Southwest Missouri
    What does it mean when you see that a bass neck is "U" or "C" shaped? I take it means the curvature of the back of the neck, but a bass I was looking at said "a thin U neck".

    I'm used to pretty thin necks. Warmoth necks, like what's on my fretless, are pretty thin and have an asymetric shape, which I like. I've played basses, like my brother's Dean, that seemed to have a pretty thick neck.

    Comments?
     
  2. Dec 5, 2007 #2
    Rumblefisher

    Rumblefisher

    Aug 22, 2007
    Astoria, NY
    Are you looking at an ESP? If you are, they mean it when they say "thin." It's almost soundgear thin but the ESP nut is wider. In any case, every company has different measurements in mind regarding shapes, so the best way to judge if it's a good fit for you is to find the bass you want in person and play it (aye aye, captain obvious).

    EDIT: and yes, it does mean the back of the neck
     
  3. Dec 5, 2007 #3
    DaveCustomMade

    DaveCustomMade Guest

    Apr 23, 2004
    Southwest Missouri
    Thanks for the info.

    It's very hard to be tempted with something on the internet, when your town doesn't have it, but only the "normal bass" that most people see and play.

    Someone on topic, I'm considering a Lakland or even the "cheap man's" MTD (Z series).
     
  4. Dec 5, 2007 #4
    stingray69

    stingray69 Talkbass Legit

    Aug 11, 2004
    St Louis Area
    Although this diagram shows gu^tar necks, the principle & most of the shapes apply to bass necks as well - maybe not the hard-V shape so much. I hope this will clear things up for you. Whether thin or thick, a U-shape will always be in a U-shape, a C-shape will always be a C-shape...well, you get the picture. These are just terms to generalize the basic curvature of the back of the neck's contour/shape.

    NeckProfiles.jpg
     
  5. Dec 5, 2007 #5
    CBAnaesthesia

    CBAnaesthesia

    Jun 2, 2005
    If you're considering an MTD Kingston Z, think about an Heir, as well. In my opinion (and limited experience), their playability is both the same (the best I've ever experienced), but I dig the look and sound of the Heir unfathomably more than the Z.

    By the way, that "Hard V" shape looks extremely uncomfortable, for a bass or a guitar. Maybe not so much on an upright, though.
     
  6. Dec 6, 2007 #6
    DaveCustomMade

    DaveCustomMade Guest

    Apr 23, 2004
    Southwest Missouri
    I agree. . . .the V shape (any of them, actually) seems very uncomfortable. Would the Warmoth Assymetric neck be a modified C shape?

    Right now, I'm trying to decide between a 6 string Z (the burst finish) or the Lakland 55-02 . . . . .or between the Heir (as suggested) and the Lakland 55-01.

    The Lakland's small frets make it a very tempting choice though.

    Sadly, I've lost the monetary ability to have a custom bass made for me with the specs that I would want, neck shape, banjo (maybe even mandolin) frets, wood choices. . . . . .thanks to my ex wife. :mad: So, if I get something else, I'll have to stick to "the commoner's bass". :scowl::rollno: Oh well. :rolleyes:
     
  7. Dec 6, 2007 #7
    BartmanPDX

    BartmanPDX

    Jan 21, 2005
    Probably my living room
    Thanks for posting this. I think this is a really useful image and should probably be stickied somewhere for reference purposes.

    For the record, what shape is an "A" neck?
     
  8. Dec 6, 2007 #8
    Brendan

    Brendan

    Jun 18, 2000
    Portland, OR
    A, B, and C necks were kinds of neck for P-basses. From what I've read, it was more of a nut width thing than a profile thing. C neck means 1.75" at the nut, and I'm not precisely sure which one was which, but A and B are 1 & 11/16ths and 1 & 5/8ths, as I recall.
     
  9. Dec 6, 2007 #9
    The Hammer

    The Hammer

    Jul 13, 2004
    I played a guitar with a hard "V" neck. I'd never seen one before (or since really). It was a true pain in the ass to play. A guy told me that it was Clapton's preference. I asked if that was during his "heroin" period
     
  10. Dec 6, 2007 #10
    DaveCustomMade

    DaveCustomMade Guest

    Apr 23, 2004
    Southwest Missouri
    LOL :D
     
  11. Dec 6, 2007 #11
    gold_member_321

    gold_member_321

    Oct 4, 2006
    Machias/Bangor, Maine
    Another image showing shapes of necks, that I have had for a while. I agree one should be stickied somewhere.


    8eupfsj.jpg
     
  12. Dec 6, 2007 #12
    PaleMelanesian

    PaleMelanesian

    Jun 23, 2005
    N / East Texas
  13. Dec 6, 2007 #13
    Dan Knowlton

    Dan Knowlton Sometimes you're the dog, sometimes the tree Gold Supporting Member

    Apr 3, 2000
    Palm Coast, FL
    On the other hand, the Linc Luthier neck is a "V" shape and is extremely comfortable - I would not write off all V necks.

    Dan K.
     
  14. Dec 6, 2007 #14
    smperry

    smperry Administrator Staff Member Administrator Gold Supporting Member

    Nov 3, 2003
    Bay Area, CA
    Several years ago, I played a Wal bass that felt like it had a soft V neck profile. Not sure if I liked it, but it was ok. I (kinda) play upright though, so deep necks don't bother me.

    Marshall
     
  15. Dec 6, 2007 #15
    shrimphead

    shrimphead Guest

    Apr 11, 2007
    Canterbury, UK
    so what shape would an ibanez soundgear be?