Jazz w/ Thick Neck Profile

[Killing Floor]

This is Zactly why my favorite is a P neck on a J. Big hands I know you’re the one.

 

[StayLow]

I'm a "U" neck fan too.

The Flea Road Worn shell pink '62 is claimed to have a "U" neck. I've played several, and all felt fantastic to me.

The arctic pearl '60th anniversary Jazz also has "U" neck profile.

Profile and actual depth at given points may not be the same thing however, just like people of very different heights can have the same relative proportions.

 

[Bent77]

Anyone know how the G&L necks feel for jazz style?

They are nice enough to list theirs, as available on the USA made models
I believe the tributes necks for the jazz are all the same at 1.5" medium

USA Bass Options

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Trying to understand Fender's neck profile description has become frustrating for me. I'm looking for a Jazz with a thick/chunky/baseball bat style neck profile. I believe that would be what they call the "U" shape, right?

Aside from the vintage market, which recent models fit the bill? I had an American Vintage Hot Rod (AVHR) Jazz a couple years ago that had a terrific neck (allegedly a U shape according to Fender), but wasn't loving the PJ pickup configuration on that bass.

I've heard that I should be looking for a '74 American Vintage Jazz. Can anyone comment on how the current American Original Jazz neck (60s or 70s) compares to the former to '74 AV? Or is the '74 even the thickest of the bunch in the first place? Where does the even older AVRI '75 jazz fit in? And finally, would the Vintera or former Classic series Jazz necks fall into the "baseball bat" category?

Thanks!

Benton JB-75. Great neck. Great bass. Great price.

 

[beatdatthang]

Just for info, All Parts Fender replacement necks are thick AF. I have an all parts Jazz neck and it’s the thickest profile of any neck I have, including my Warwick Streamer 5! Definitely thicker than a Fender “modern C”.

Warmoth’s standard contour is also pretty darn thick. When I buy Warmoth necks, I always get the Slim Taper profile because the standard is just too big for my comfort.

 

[BassDaddy77]

Good points everyone, much appreciated. Profile and thickness are certainly seperate attributes. I hadn't considered the Flea sig as an option. For some reason I always assumed the necks on those would be slim or shallow.

 

[Rip Van Dan]

Trying to understand Fender's neck profile description has become frustrating for me. I'm looking for a Jazz with a thick/chunky/baseball bat style neck profile. I believe that would be what they call the "U" shape, right?

Aside from the vintage market, which recent models fit the bill? I had an American Vintage Hot Rod (AVHR) Jazz a couple years ago that had a terrific neck (allegedly a U shape according to Fender), but wasn't loving the PJ pickup configuration on that bass.

I've heard that I should be looking for a '74 American Vintage Jazz. Can anyone comment on how the current American Original Jazz neck (60s or 70s) compares to the former to '74 AV? Or is the '74 even the thickest of the bunch in the first place? Where does the even older AVRI '75 jazz fit in? And finally, would the Vintera or former Classic series Jazz necks fall into the "baseball bat" category?

Thanks!

Nuts @BassDaddy77, Jazz necks are all over the place. Yes, if you want the neck that feels like a baseball bat, you want what is known as the "Deep U-shape" neck. Originally it came with a 7.25" radius on the fretboard like all the the 60's and 70's basses did. I finally found a MIA Jazz bass with that same neck in 1985 when I bought my 1982 Jazz (see avatar).

That deep U-shape neck was introduced in 1966 as the first bass that CBS made changes to after purchasing Fender. I was in high school at the time and had purchased a 1965 Jazz Bass. The new 1966 Jazz looked just stunning. It was the first year for the block fret markers (MOP if I recall), and had a white bound neck with a rosewood fingerboard. Since I'd purchased a new 1966 Fender Bassman amp at that music store, they were happy to pull it down from the wall for me to give it a try. I was shocked at how thick the neck was. I immediately thought, "I guess CBS used cheaper wood and had to make it thicker for it to hold its shape." I then tried playing the octave part of the bass line to Archie Bell and the Drells song "The Tighten Up" which starts on the 14th fret (F#) of the E string....impossible to finger. I absolutely hated that neck and loved the slim C-shape, fast neck on my '65 and was very glad that I had purchase my '65.

So, you'll probably love that neck. Fender came out with a 60's re-issue last year or the year before that looked really good to me until it had the description "60's Deep U-shape neck". And of course they put it out with a 9.5" radius which didn't come out until the early 80's. That neck was not very popular on the Jazz Bass and a number of them come out with the same slim neck that was on my'65. But in '67 it changed to a C-shape neck although that neck was still pretty darn chunky.

my 1965 Jazz was stolen in 1976 along with all my other touring gear and I had about given up on ever finding another Jazz that had a 60's slim C-shape neck like my '65 did. I often had bass players show me their Jazz basses in the 70's and 80's and inevitably they had what I would consider a chunky neck. The Fender 60th anniversary Jazz Bass has that neck you are looking for. I got all excited when I saw it because it also had the "vintage 7.25-inch radius". Then I read "Deep U-shape" neck and that blew it for me. I think you should seriously take a look at this bass or do one of the "build your own" Jazz Basses from Fender and specify that Deep U-shape neck.

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Good luck!

 

[BassDaddy77]

Nuts @BassDaddy77, Jazz necks are all over the place. Yes, if you want the neck that feels like a baseball bat, you want what is known as the "Deep U-shape" neck. Originally it came with a 7.25" radius on the fretboard like all the the 60's and 70's basses did. I finally found a MIA Jazz bass with that same neck in 1985 when I bought my 1982 Jazz (see avatar).

That deep U-shape neck was introduced in 1966 as the first bass that CBS made changes to after purchasing Fender. I was in high school at the time and had purchased a 1965 Jazz Bass. The new 1966 Jazz looked just stunning. It was the first year for the block fret markers (MOP if I recall), and had a white bound neck with a rosewood fingerboard. Since I'd purchased a new 1966 Fender Bassman amp at that music store, they were happy to pull it down from the wall for me to give it a try. I was shocked at how thick the neck was. I immediately thought, "I guess CBS used cheaper wood and had to make it thicker for it to hold its shape." I then tried playing the octave part of the bass line to Archie Bell and the Drells song "The Tighten Up" which starts on the 14th fret (F#) of the E string....impossible to finger. I absolutely hated that neck and loved the slim C-shape, fast neck on my '65 and was very glad that I had purchase my '65.

So, you'll probably love that neck. Fender came out with a 60's re-issue last year or the year before that looked really good to me until it had the description "60's Deep U-shape neck". And of course they put it out with a 9.5" radius which didn't come out until the early 80's. That neck was not very popular on the Jazz Bass and a number of them come out with the same slim neck that was on my'65. But in '67 it changed to a C-shape neck although that neck was still pretty darn chunky.

my 1965 Jazz was stolen in 1976 along with all my other touring gear and I had about given up on ever finding another Jazz that had a 60's slim C-shape neck like my '65 did. I often had bass players show me their Jazz basses in the 70's and 80's and inevitably they had what I would consider a chunky neck. The Fender 60th anniversary Jazz Bass has that neck you are looking for. I got all excited when I saw it because it also had the "vintage 7.25-inch radius". Then I read "Deep U-shape" neck and that blew it for me. I think you should seriously take a look at this bass or do one of the "build your own" Jazz Basses from Fender and specify that Deep U-shape neck.

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Good luck!

Great backstory! Thanks for the heads up.

 

[StayLow]

In addition to Fender having options to choose your preferred neck shape, maybe someone like Nash would offer what you're after.

Not sure if they aim just for the aged look or the actual feel of the older instruments. Looking at their bass descriptions, there only seems to be references made to visuals and none to feel or even any mention of neck specs other than noting the J's have a "thinner neck" than their P's.

 

[Jackcrow]

American Original 70s. Much thicker front to back. Wildwood has one right now with a 0.92” to 1.01” 1st/12th profile. I had one and found it chunky but comfortable. Definitely a U-shape.

 

[Malak the Mad]

If you can find one to sample, try out an MIM Classic ‘70s Jazz. They have a thick “70s C-shape” and a 7.25” vintage-style radius. Many have used the “baseball bat” comparison in regards to their necks. And while the Vintera series has taken over for the Classic series, I can’t say for sure if the necks are identical. The basic specs say so, but without a hands-on trial, I cannot confirm that.

 

[BassDaddy77]

I Iove that new anniversary Jazz; but knowing how I am about things I'd be too worried about nicks or dings on such a gorgeous and collectable instrument. But man, it's soooooo nice...

I'll look into those '70s Classics, and I like some of the colors being offered on the Vinteras as well.

 

[2112]

The USA Geddy Lee is 1” at the 12th fret as well. It’s on the thicker side. The one with the black block inlays is very thin.

Only the MIJ/CIJ/MIM black blocks necks are thin. The USA black blocks necks, such as those found on the limited edition crimson FMT Geddys are thick-C with the same profile as the USA pearl blocks necks. Great neck, they are my favorite of all time as well.

 

[BobKos]

Just a thought. I own an Allparts Jazz neck and it is rather chunky compared to my other Jazz necks. Might be an easy solution to bolt one onto one of your existing basses.

 

[metron]

The 74 reissue I have is a pretty thick U. Anyone know which is thicker front to back, an American Original 70s or the 74 reissue?

 

[BassDaddy77]

The 74 reissue I have is a pretty thick U. Anyone know which is thicker front to back, an American Original 70s or the 74 reissue?

I'd like to know as well!

 

[Fun Size Nick]

I have a (real) '74 Jazz, which has a very deep neck profile front-to-back. The AVRI '74 and American Original '70s Jazzes that I've played in stores have felt even chunkier - almost like a caricature of my bass! If you're after deep profile, then they would be well worth checking out.

 

[BassDaddy77]

I have a (real) '74 Jazz, which has a very deep neck profile front-to-back. The AVRI '74 and American Original '70s Jazzes that I've played in stores have felt even chunkier - almost like a caricature of my bass! If you're after deep profile, then they would be well worth checking out.

Which of the 2 was chunkier, if you recall?

 

[Texican]

Let me be the third person to attest... ALL PARTS necks are chunky AF!!!!!!!

 

[InnerBass]

2012 Am Std Jazz (modern C profile) and a 2017 Custom Shop Postmodern (7.25" U shaped profile - 1.5" nut)

The Am Std is like a Corvette - not much chunk between the 5th and 9th fret, but lightening fast.

The Postmodern gets really chunky between the 5th and 9th fret - which I am liking more and more on a "P" bass.

Slows me down and keeps me in "groove first" mode. Sometimes Jazz basses can make me go all punk rock on a song : )

The chunk seems to add more tonal depth as well.