Maple or rosewood on your Jazz?

[SanDiegoHarry]

I bought a standard neck before I realised how chunky they were. After six months I realised I wasn't going to be able to live with it and couldn't return it, so got out the spoke shave...

I actually did this with a Warmoth 5 string neck - I shaved it down considerably, sanded it smooth then put tung oil on it - plays really nice now.

 

[Modler]

Here's an interesting comparison of the sound of a P bass played with two different necks, rosewood and maple - everything else is the same.

Ain't it funny how light coloured woods usually seems to sound brighter than dark woods

 

[Midak]

I actually have both, and like both.
I think I prefer rosewood more as time goes by.

 

[Kirk Bryant]

Obviously you need a few of both. I also like coco bolo (sp?) and Ebony. You know what they say,
"Variety is the spice of life".

 

[CryingBass]

I've got a Warwick Steve Bailey fretless 6, and I don't like the neck on it because I can't pronounce it
( Ovangkol ) Lot's of growl though...

 

[-Asdfgh-]

I actually did this with a Warmoth 5 string neck - I shaved it down considerably, sanded it smooth then put tung oil on it - plays really nice now.

Same here. It probably needs a clean and more oil now.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

Same here. It probably needs a clean and more oil now.

I really had to shave it down like crazy - as maybe a 1/4 inch of wood. I went so far that I was afraid of hitting the truss rod channel, but it never happened (I had given up on keeping the neck at that point) - so I just reduced it to where I found it tolerable, sanded it up, oiled it and it's pretty good now - and 100% stable. It is, however, not perfect - I really wish Warmoth would offer a 1 7/8 nut (Like a Sadowsky 5).

 

[-Asdfgh-]

I really had to shave it down like crazy - as maybe a 1/4 inch of wood. I went so far that I was afraid of hitting the truss rod channel, but it never happened (I had given up on keeping the neck at that point) - so I just reduced it to where I found it tolerable, sanded it up, oiled it and it's pretty good now - and 100% stable. It is, however, not perfect - I really wish Warmoth would offer a 1 7/8 nut (Like a Sadowsky 5).

I probably took off a similar amount, and I wondered how deep the steel bars were... but I didn't them. Again, totally stable even slimmed down. I can't fault Warmoth's quality, just the thickness.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

I probably took off a similar amount, and I wondered how deep the steel bars were... but I didn't them. Again, totally stable even slimmed down. I can't fault Warmoth's quality, just the thickness.

Totally agree. That's why I started this recent J build. I'm very happy with my Lakland 494, but I wanted a J type bass (narrower neck / J pickup placement) and really, the Lakland does not get a typical "J" sound - it gets a Lakland sound. So I'm taking a chance that the slim profile for the J neck will be worth it. Off of a bass it sure seems like it - but I'll only know when the puppy is built up. By the time I'm done, it will cost me around $1500, but could be as nice as a Lull or even better - we'll see!

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Totally agree. That's why I started this recent J build. I'm very happy with my Lakland 494, but I wanted a J type bass (narrower neck / J pickup placement) and really, the Lakland does not get a typical "J" sound - it gets a Lakland sound. So I'm taking a chance that the slim profile for the J neck will be worth it. Off of a bass it sure seems like it - but I'll only know when the puppy is built up. By the time I'm done, it will cost me around $1500, but could be as nice as a Lull or even better - we'll see!

Not cheap, but fine for 'the one'.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

Not cheap, but fine for 'the one'.

"The One" - lol. As if!

 

[-Asdfgh-]

"The One" - lol. As if!

First amongst equals . In the top ten at least?

 

[faceless_master]

Don't do it. You will not be happy, unless you can find a slim-taper in the showcase. There seems to be a serious difference between that and the stock profile.

I bought a standard neck before I realised how chunky they were. After six months I realised I wasn't going to be able to live with it and couldn't return it, so got out the spoke shave...

Lol I'm actually the complete opposite of you guys. I'm planning a '51 P-Bass build soon (parts assembly, really) and I'm on the hunt for a chunky neck. Like a telephone pole with strings. Probably not going with Warmoth though, since I can't get a 7.25" radius from them. Leaning towards Musikraft.

 

[rmars]

Lol I'm actually the complete opposite of you guys. I'm planning a '51 P-Bass build soon (parts assembly, really) and I'm on the hunt for a chunky neck. Like a telephone pole with strings. Probably not going with Warmoth though, since I can't get a 7.25" radius from them. Leaning towards Musikraft.

I love those little skinny, early 60's Jazz necks but for whatever reason I generally like a fairly fat neck on a P Bass. Just feels right with that tone. After playing a 14" radius board for so long I'm not a big as big of fan of 7.25" but I used to love it. Now 10-12" feels like the sweet spot for my hands... but I'm dealing with some nerve issues so that might attribute to my struggle.

 

[faceless_master]

I love those little skinny, early 60's Jazz necks but for whatever reason I generally like a fairly fat neck on a P Bass. Just feels right with that tone. After playing a 14" radius board for so long I'm not a big as big of fan of 7.25" but I used to love it. Now 10-12" feels like the sweet spot for my hands... but I'm dealing with some nerve issues so that might attribute to my struggle.

I'm in the same boat. I have large hands and some strained tendons in my forearm (work related), and thin, flat necks tend to cramp me up after a while.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

I love those little skinny, early 60's Jazz necks but for whatever reason I generally like a fairly fat neck on a P Bass. Just feels right with that tone. After playing a 14" radius board for so long I'm not a big as big of fan of 7.25" but I used to love it. Now 10-12" feels like the sweet spot for my hands... but I'm dealing with some nerve issues so that might attribute to my struggle.

To each their own.
When Warwicks first hit the states, I was utterly baffled why anyone would like them - HUGE, fat necks... but some folks did. So for guys like me, there was Zon.

 

[rmars]

I'm in the same boat. I have large hands and some strained tendons in my forearm (work related), and thin, flat necks tend to cramp me up after a while.

Yes, I was a bicycle mechanic for 17+years and had strong hands and forarms. Did a lot of fill in gigs the last 5-6 years that required last minute marathon song learning sessions. Been struggling with what I think is cubital tunnel syndrome; burning forearms, weakness/pain in hands and deteriorating muscle memory(can't seem to find a doctor that knows what's going on). Not liking the flat 14" radius on my main bass anymore. This has made me second guess the thin profile neck on this build but ultimately I'm not sure anything is going help. My hands are a pale reflection of what they were 3 yrs ago.

 

[faceless_master]

Yikes. Best of luck with that, man. I'm hoping mine is just some mild tendonitis. It's like a cramping in my forearm and some tenderness on the inner side of my elbow that I can alleviate somewhat with self massage.

Yes, I was a bicycle mechanic for 17+years and had strong hands and forarms. Did a lot of fill in gigs the last 5-6 years that required last minute marathon song learning sessions. Been struggling with what I think is cubital tunnel syndrome; burning forearms, weakness/pain in hands and deteriorating muscle memory(can't seem to find a doctor that knows what's going on). Not liking the flat 14" radius on my main bass anymore. This has made me second guess the thin profile neck on this build but ultimately I'm not sure anything is going help. My hands are a pale reflection of what they were 3 yrs ago.

 

[Fender_Bender]

Yikes. Best of luck with that, man. I'm hoping mine is just some mild tendonitis. It's like a cramping in my forearm and some tenderness on the inner side of my elbow that I can alleviate somewhat with self massage.

Sounds like a case of "golfers elbow" to me. This is actually quite a bit more serious than tennis elbow ( outside of arm). I've had chronic problems with this for 20 years which has recently been negatively affected by dealing with a big snowstorm a couple weeks ago. Rest and ice would be your best bet right now before it becomes a chronic problem. If you get pain free for a couple of weeks you can do some strengthening exercises.

 

[JimB52]

I like both, although the black block maple neck look has always been a favorite

rite