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Most comfortable neck EVER?...
- Thread starter Claymore
- Start date
My USA EBMM Sterling. It is, without doubt, the finest production neck ever. Disagree? You've never played one. Sterling Ball hit a homerun with this one.
Though I have yet to own one, I haven’t found a more comfortable neck than some of the Ibanez SE series. I have small/average hands, so I like thinner necks in general, and those are truly thin and narrow. Second place would be my Steinberger XP-2, it’s very narrow across the face, 1-1/2” nut, but a deep “C” profile. Whatever works for your hands, I guess. My hands cramp up on fat necks like a typical P, that has also put me off most 5 strings except the Ibanez SR505.
for me: it's not a brand/model or even 'style' as much as it is the convergence of the various measurements and attributes into a neck that i can handle (live with!) and enjoy. after playing P style necks for years i was struck by the relief i felt when i started playing a J neck (it was easier in most cases). but then i began to explore the differences in the contours and even the effect of the 'reach' and how that aspect influenced my take on the other factors.
- i'd rather have the 1.5" J narrowness at the nut, but it can be wider if the neck profile is thinner.
- many two-octave necks are, by necessity, narrower, the entire length of the board. i like that and prefer the feel of those.
- if the neck and body join in such a way: the 'reach' to the low end will affect my perception of the other attributes.
- the balance and what we've come to call "ergonomics" affect my perception of the neck attributes.
- also: since all of my necks are fretless: whatever feels good to me on those might not work if i were to choose a fretted ax.
all that said (
), i have come to appreciate these two necks (almost identical: one is a little thinner than the other) as the best example of my preferences. they are chinese kapok EBs, cheap, modded/'upgraded' and a delight to play as my two main mains. everyone has seen these before, but here they are again:
- i'd rather have the 1.5" J narrowness at the nut, but it can be wider if the neck profile is thinner.
- many two-octave necks are, by necessity, narrower, the entire length of the board. i like that and prefer the feel of those.
- if the neck and body join in such a way: the 'reach' to the low end will affect my perception of the other attributes.
- the balance and what we've come to call "ergonomics" affect my perception of the neck attributes.
- also: since all of my necks are fretless: whatever feels good to me on those might not work if i were to choose a fretted ax.
all that said (
), i have come to appreciate these two necks (almost identical: one is a little thinner than the other) as the best example of my preferences. they are chinese kapok EBs, cheap, modded/'upgraded' and a delight to play as my two main mains. everyone has seen these before, but here they are again:
My Streamer does, and that's one thing I love about it. It has the narrow nut, being an older version, and remains very narrow all the way up the neck. The back of the neck is all smoothed out from 22 years of play, and I have some TIs on it which are breaking in very well, so the whole thing is nice all the way. But one of my favorite things about it is, as you say, the narrowness of the neck due to the two octave nature of it.
yeah, and we've seen arguments on TB about "why have a two-octave neck if all of the money is the first 5-7 positions?" even though i play up in the solo zones, i'd generally choose a two-octave neck for the reasons we're endorsing! some cats just don't get that! their loss.
Exactly. I play in the upper ranges all the time. There are plenty of songs that use that range, and with my Streamer it makes it a lot easier. If I ever picked up a fiver, it would probably be one with similar attributes, specifically to play in that range with the low B.
yeah, and we've seen arguments on TB about "why have a two-octave neck if all of the money is the first 5-7 positions?" even though i play up in the solo zones, i'd generally choose a two-octave neck for the reasons we're endorsing! some cats just don't get that! their loss.
While I'm quite comfortable with the standard Fender/Squier Jazz specs (1.5" nut-width, 9.5" radius, C-shape, etc…), my favorite neck is easily that of the Almighty Aerodyne! 
Something about that curvy, vintage-style 7.25" radius just works so well for my fretting hand. Because of that, I've harvested more than a couple Aerodyne necks for my parts-bass Projekts.
Similarly, the necks made for the MIM Classic '70s Jazzes also work well for me. They're quite chunky (7.25" radius, thick "70's C-shape", etc…), so they won't work for everyone, but for me, they're quite comfy.
Something about that curvy, vintage-style 7.25" radius just works so well for my fretting hand. Because of that, I've harvested more than a couple Aerodyne necks for my parts-bass Projekts.
Similarly, the necks made for the MIM Classic '70s Jazzes also work well for me. They're quite chunky (7.25" radius, thick "70's C-shape", etc…), so they won't work for everyone, but for me, they're quite comfy.
i don’t know about which bass, but my neck must be really comfortable cause my wife’s hands are around it a lot....
I know TB by now, there's a zillion opinions out there as there are members but as I have got back into playing my basses I find that the Fender Modern C neck is a real gem. I have a Jazz and a P equipped with it and they are some of the most..accommodating.. necks I've played. I have a Dano Longhorn with one of the weirdest necks ever, short scale and 24 frets but man, it is fun to play. I have a CV50s Squire (Blonde with Tele neck) with a kind of fat neck but the dang thing is so cool I'll put up with it. So there you go. Fender modern C is my favorite so far. But damn, there's a lot of great basses out there. It's all personal preference.
It's a toss-up between my Dingwall Super J/P and Super P (both 4-string). As good as it gets for me.
im surprised you have two ding walls that similar. I would prob at least get the 5 string variation of the PJ for versatility of the B. To each their own! I would love to have a super P, because I have a fender J elite, and a sire 5 str P7 (it’s actually a PJ setup), and to round out the collection I’d want a pure P, Dingwall orSadowsky seem like good candidates. Or an Ultra P from Fennder...in Texas Tea...oh my lord they are incredibly sexy. No words. Gold. GOLD! I like GOOOOOOOLD!
Thank you! So, it's not just me, then?!
The very existence of those "vintage-in-name-only" American Original models drive me nuts…doubly so when the website brags "VINTAGE-ACCURATE BODY AND NECK RADII - Original-era fans can rest assured every curve and line of the body and neck are accurate to the historic originals." which is total
!If it were billed as "a modern take on classic ideas" like they do with their Squier basses, that'd be fine. That'd be some truth in advertising. But to lie to would-be customers in such a bald-faced manner? They must think we're a raging pack of idiots.
Okay, my ranting is done, too.
My friend's wife would agree. She loves the asymmetrical shape of her MIA Dimension Deluxe.
It is indeed a nice neck - I have a ‘93 fretless. That and my Palaedium are my favourite basses, to be honest.
That, in Silver, was my first bass guitar! It sounded and felt good. Eventually, it made way for a MusicMan.
