The neck on my Peavey Millennium US is very thin. I previously owned a Lakland 55-01 & it also had a thin neck.
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Looking for a thin neck
- Thread starter Soberglitch
- Start date
- Apr 22, 2016
- 780
- 1,221
- 49
- Disclosures
- Breaking even is the new making money.
So as stated above, you're looking for basically the depth of the fretboard - people have stated a few of the options out there. The Fender Aerodyne has a wonderfully shallow neck and might be a little less pricey than some of the other options, I believe it's just about .79" deep at the nut, and goes up from there as you work down the neck, but it never gets too deep. Also, it's got the thin 1.5" width at the nut, too, which makes it a super comfy neck. I think the MiJ Geddy Lees have a similar profile neck, based on what I've heard. You might be able to find one used for a decent price, but unfortunately a ton of specific instruments (a variety of Fender models included) have seen a significant price bump over the last year.
I also had an Ibanez SR some years back and while I wasn't really a fan of the electronics (pups sucked) and some of the finish features, the neck itself felt very similar in proportions to the Aerodyne, if stuff like the fret wire and finishing just didn't feel great. That said, the same company that built the "best" MiJ fenders (Fujigen or FGN) built ibanez basses until the late 80s, so you might be able to find one of them for a steal.
My first couple of basses were Yamahas from the late 80's early 90s - entry level ones mind you - and again they had pretty nice, slim necks. Fujigen pretty much built a ton of nice Japanese basses and I'm sure if you scan reverb for some of those brands / date ranges, you'll find something that works. I currently own two FGN made instruments (fender in this case) and they are both quality.
I also had an Ibanez SR some years back and while I wasn't really a fan of the electronics (pups sucked) and some of the finish features, the neck itself felt very similar in proportions to the Aerodyne, if stuff like the fret wire and finishing just didn't feel great. That said, the same company that built the "best" MiJ fenders (Fujigen or FGN) built ibanez basses until the late 80s, so you might be able to find one of them for a steal.
My first couple of basses were Yamahas from the late 80's early 90s - entry level ones mind you - and again they had pretty nice, slim necks. Fujigen pretty much built a ton of nice Japanese basses and I'm sure if you scan reverb for some of those brands / date ranges, you'll find something that works. I currently own two FGN made instruments (fender in this case) and they are both quality.
If you are used to a Ray, then finding a used EBMM Sterling (they show up in your price range) is the go-to very versatile and smaller all around.
I think the Fender Aerodyne along with the MIJ Geddy Lee and Jaguar are to be had within my price range. Definitely tempting options.
The EBMM Sterling would be a top pick if it wasn’t so pricey. I love my Ray but it’s just a little chunky for now.
Still on my list is that T-Bird Vintage Pro.
The EBMM Sterling would be a top pick if it wasn’t so pricey. I love my Ray but it’s just a little chunky for now.
Still on my list is that T-Bird Vintage Pro.
Just be aware the T-bird is really neck heavy and will go neck diving if you let go of the neck at all. It might be an issue for your wrist injury.
The DW model has a 1.5 inch nut, and a slim profile neck. It is a specific Artist model, and is copied from Doug Wimbish's USA NS2 bass.
Other 4 string Spectors have 1.64 inch nut. But some can have a slim profile neck, and some might not.
Keep looking in used markets. You may find a DW NS2 Euro.
I have four USA Custom NS4s. All that 1.64 inch nuts, three have slim profile necks and are more of a "D" profile. The foruth one has a thicker "C" shaped neck profile.
I have a older model Euro (CRFM) it has a 1.64 inch nut, and a slim profile. It was built in the late 90s.
I have an older Korean NS2A built in the 90's, it has a 1.64 inch nut and a slim prifole neck.
I’m going to beat the “not ALL Ibanez” drum here: yes, the SR/Soundgear line has notoriously skinny necks, but Ibanez is the Toyota of musical instrument manufacturers, and you would never confuse a Tundra/ATK with a Camry/SR. I own three 34” scale Ibanez basses, with another on the way, and none of them have skinny necks.
I do however own a MiKro, which does have “the Ibanez neck,” but at a 28.6” scale. I love this thing, and I think it would be really easy on the injured wrist as well as the wallet.
But don’t mail order just any Ibanez sight unseen assuming it will have “that skinny neck.”
I do however own a MiKro, which does have “the Ibanez neck,” but at a 28.6” scale. I love this thing, and I think it would be really easy on the injured wrist as well as the wallet.
But don’t mail order just any Ibanez sight unseen assuming it will have “that skinny neck.”
Peavey Fury also got a mention. The later MIA models have that 1.5” nut but can be fairly thick front-to-back, and substantial overall as a result. I love those and find them easy to play (I have owned two and still have one), but they’re not necessarily “skinny” to everyone. First generation Furies have wide, shallow necks like T-40s
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Remember the E12th fret on the E string = E7th fret on the A string = E2nd fret on the D string....
And there are aprox 36 different notes on a 4 string bass, 21 of them you find above the sixth fret, 28 above the 13th fret.... that's only 8 notes you'll have to find, and the clue is... they're all on the G string.
Jaco only needed 4 strings but Django only needed 2.5 fingers
I'm sure you'll work your way around it.
Maybe your girlfriend is prepared to swap basses until you get your strength back?
And there are aprox 36 different notes on a 4 string bass, 21 of them you find above the sixth fret, 28 above the 13th fret.... that's only 8 notes you'll have to find, and the clue is... they're all on the G string.
Jaco only needed 4 strings but Django only needed 2.5 fingers
I'm sure you'll work your way around it.
Maybe your girlfriend is prepared to swap basses until you get your strength back?
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With a lot of people suggesting short scale and Ibanez SR that Mikro seems like a low risk high reward purchase. Wouldn’t be out of the question to buy it on top of the T-Bird or Jazz bass or whatever I decide on. Unfortunately it looks like they’re sold out everywhere besides the sunburst finish.
My girlfriend’s SR is okay, I just could never see myself buying one. It’s not entirely what I’m after and for whatever reason I’m never inspired to pick it up even though it sits in my house.
My girlfriend’s SR is okay, I just could never see myself buying one. It’s not entirely what I’m after and for whatever reason I’m never inspired to pick it up even though it sits in my house.
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I love thin necks, as I have short and fat fingers.
All five of my current Fenders with varying body/ pickup arrangements have Jazz necks, my one fiver is an Ibanez SR.
All five of my current Fenders with varying body/ pickup arrangements have Jazz necks, my one fiver is an Ibanez SR.
you are getting some great advice here. i have both a MIJ geddy lee and an aerodyne. same nut width but the geddy is definitely thinner (not narrower) which is, i think, what you are looking for. both are great. the EBMM sterling is definitely a narrower and thinner neck than the stingray. i have one of those too. the other one that most forget (except me as many have seen me post) is the guild pilot. it is close to the same profile as the geddy. if you can get past the looks it is a REALLY versatile bass. the only common jazz style bass with a significantly narrower (not necessarily thinner) nut is a sadowsky will lee as some have already mentioned. i think it is 1.45" on the 4 string. if i could afford one i would really love to try one. if you want neck width or thickness measurements on any of the above basses i have let me know and i will grab my caliper and post the dimensions at whatever frets you choose. good luck with your search!
I got mine for free, and it’s a good thing, because I never would have considered one. Remarkably good bass by any reasonable standard, but tremendous for the money. It is literally the reason I have an RGB-305 on the way—I wanted those pickups in that configuration in those positions with a more substantial neck. If they made a five-string MiKro with a split pickup, I would already own it.
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As someone pointed out earlier I think my use of narrow vs thin was mixed up.
Right now one of my issues is having enough mobility to wrap my hand and fingers around the neck. On the E or A string I’m stuck using one or maybe two fingers with my Ray.
I’m not sure if going narrower, thinner or a combination of both would have the most benefit.
A MIJ Geddy Lee or Jaguar is at the top of my list right now along with a T-Bird. I wish I had the ability to go try these out.
