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Jaco neck project. Need your opinion or educated guess!

Which neck should I pick for a Jaco tribute build?

  • US Vintage Fender Jazz, you know it's the genuine article, and its only $200 more.

    Votes: 41 36.3%

  • Mexican Jazz, The difference between it and the US is not worth the extra $.

    Votes: 13 11.5%

  • Roadworn Jazz, It's cheaper than the US and it's already relic'd.

    Votes: 44 38.9%

  • Save the money, and just get a fretted rosewood Allparts neck, and remove the frets.

    Votes: 15 13.3%
  • Total voters
    113
bassgod76

bassgod76

Garbage bassist, but I love this goofy instrument
Mar 13, 2003
5,329
1,133
South Florida
#1
I have access to either an American vintage Fender Jazz '62 reisue, Mexican vintage Jazz, or Roadworn vintage Jazz necks. I'm doing a Jaco tribute sorta thing with relic'd body and the whole nine yards. Also, I'm booking Kevin Kaufman to do an epoxy job on the neck.

The American vintage neck is the most pricey with the Mexican neck in the rear.

Would I be doing myself a disservice by opting for the Mexican neck if the difference is around $200?
 
#2
How important is this project to you?

If it's very important, and it's something you think needs to be done right, then don't skimp on anything, cause you'll regret it later.

If however you're simply doing it because it's a fun idea for you, and you might lose focus of it for a while, then get the MIM neck and don't worry about the cost.

It's all about how important it is to you personally, and you're the only person that can answer that.
 
#3
sloasdaylight said:
How important is this project to you?

If it's very important, and it's something you think needs to be done right, then don't skimp on anything, cause you'll regret it later.

If however you're simply doing it because it's a fun idea for you, and you might lose focus of it for a while, then get the MIM neck and don't worry about the cost.

It's all about how important it is to you personally, and you're the only person that can answer that.
Click to expand...

That's what I wrestle with. I want the best possibilities with any of my basses. My question is, are the US versions that much better than the MIM series? I look at it as a paultry $200 for the best. Just not sure if there would be a whole hell of a lot of difference. (shrugging)
 
#5
The defretting option is only a flier if you have plenty of time and little money IMHO.

As for the choice between MIM and US made - at the end of the day it sounds like you will have a "Partscaster". From what I see, the resale value of any guitar assembled from parts is invariably lower than the cost of the parts. I very much doubt that fitting a US neck will in itself either make it a "better" instrument or one that would fetch $200 more should you ever decide to sell it on.

For me, it would be a Mex. neck, and relic it myself.

Adrian
 
#6
draftsmann said:
The defretting option is only a flier if you have plenty of time and little money IMHO.

As for the choice between MIM and US made - at the end of the day it sounds like you will have a "Partscaster". From what I see, the resale value of any guitar assembled from parts is invariably lower than the cost of the parts. I very much doubt that fitting a US neck will in itself either make it a "better" instrument or one that would fetch $200 more should you ever decide to sell it on.

For me, it would be a Mex. neck, and relic it myself.

Adrian
Click to expand...

I don't sell my basses anymore, so resale is the furthest thing from my mind. Every bass I've sold, I've later regretted. I'm gonna let the poll do the talking. $200 separates the cheapest option. Also, anything where Kevin Kaufman has worked on is bass history, in my book, and not worth selling. However, I sincerely appreciate your take. :cool:
 
#11
Two reasons you should get the American vintage. One: saying it is in good condition of course, it would probably be a better built neck than the Mexican, though it's not necessarily a guarantee, so it would be a good idea to give a thorough inspection on both if possible. Two: If in the future you might end up selling the bass, it would be worth a lot more bass with an MIM neck.
 
#17
Why don't you use the neck that most closely resembles the neck that that Fender bolted to the body when Jaco's bass was made minus the frets that would have to be pulled out anyway? I'm not saying you should find some kind of replica but instead use what comes the closest from your choices.

Do you want your finished product to be as close to the real thing as possible? To my knowledge Fender didn't have graphite reinforced necks in the 60's like the American necks today. Wasn't access to the truss rod adjustment still at the headstock as well? Wasn't the contour or shape of the neck different?

Or do you want a bass that in the end just looks "Jacoey" yet doesn't have to be absolutely correct to the specs of his bass? If so I would just use the least expensive neck that still looks good. Or, to make it look more genuine you could buy a fretted neck and yank the frets and fill them with whatever Jaco filled the slots with before you send it off.

If I were wanting a bass that was as accurate as possible to the original then I might hit up ebay and see what I could find. I'm sure whatever route you take the bass will look great so post up some pictures when you're done.
 
#19
I say road worn or MIM. If they're close in price, go for road worn just to have that little bit extra that will make it better; but don't think that the difference between MIM and MIA is as much as the price difference. There are two reasons that MIM is cheaper than MIA. A small downgrade in electronics, and cheaper labor. Too many people get sucked into American made stuff. if you can't feel it with your soul, your instrument will sound like it is made of gravel anyway.
 
#20
Fendercustom7 said:
I say road worn or MIM. If they're close in price, go for road worn just to have that little bit extra that will make it better; but don't think that the difference between MIM and MIA is as much as the price difference. There are two reasons that MIM is cheaper than MIA. A small downgrade in electronics, and cheaper labor. Too many people get sucked into American made stuff. if you can't feel it with your soul, your instrument will sound like it is made of gravel anyway.
Click to expand...
Indeed.

My own partscaster experience influenced my earlier post. A year or so ago I had an urge to build a Roland-ready (midi-equipped) Tele-shaped six string guitar. I started buying up bits on eBay, then found I had enough for one-and-a-half guitars, so decided to buy the remaining bits and make two.

On one, I fitted a beautiful custom made neck from one of the UK custom builders (whom I will not name); and on the other I fitted a used Squier neck bought at a quarter of the price of the custom-made.

Guess which neck has the better feel?

Adrian
 

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