Most comfortable neck EVER?...

[Ian Lewis]

View attachment 3741063 If you took all the factors into consideration... profile, finish, nut width, fretboard edge, etc, which one hits a home run for you? I thought about this and I nominate my American Performer Jazz. The neck is as close to perfect (for MY hands) as I've ever played but I know everyone has different fingers and preferences. What bass neck does it for YOU?

I haven't got overly big hands, but I find jazz necks way too skinny. I play Warwick 5 strings.

 

[58kites]

Guild Pilot 4 string (1985) maple neck 1.5" nut / maple fretboard 12" radius, frets were made in a sort of flat shape (not very rounded crowned).

Peavey Fury/Patriot/Foundation (1987) maple neck 1.5" nut / maple fretboard 8" radius.

Almost all Peavey USA necks feel great.

 

[Thegrandwazoo]

I also recall having played a Tobias of a friend's years ago, dunno the model name, but it was a bolt on with (I believe) a J/MM pickup arrangement. That thing was pretty equally as awesome as my beloved US Sterlings, but as I recall it was wider and therefore not as perfect for me.

Edit: upon some quick interweb research, it appears to have been a Tobias Renegade. Pretty sweet bass.

 

[Thegrandwazoo]

I'd like to try a slightly chunkier jazz width neck.
I love the jazz width though.

If you ever get the chance to fondle a USA Geddy Lee Jazz, I daresay you'll be delighted. The one I played was chunky, but VERY slim (slimmer even than most Jazz basses, in terms of nut width, I mean) and had as nice a rolled fretboard and fretwork as anything I ever recall having played. I fully intend to build a parts bass around a US Geddy neck if ever I find one by itself. One day...

 

[andyjevans]

I mostly played a Wal fretless but lately I have arthritis issues in my left thumb - not uncommon in older bassists.

So it has to be 30" short scale from now on - least stress on the fretting hand. I tried out a load of them - Epi, Gibson, Fenders..... The one that stood out, and by a mile, was the Gretsch Junior Jet. I couldn't believe how good the neck was the first moment I had it in my hand - just effortless. And it has turned out to be a keeper. I can play it for extended periods without pain. For me this is a serious result - I can play!!!

 

[Bobo]

I haven't got overly big hands, but I find jazz necks way too skinny. I play Warwick 5 strings.

i once swapped a jazz neck onto a pbass body...i thought i’d like the thinner neck on the pbass...but i put them back where they belong after 2 weeks...

 

[350125g0]

I like a Fender Mustang neck, myself.

 

[PizzaFiend]

I’m somewhat surprised at the lack of shout outs for Ricks. They have amazingly playable necks.

 

[mongo2]

I’m somewhat surprised at the lack of shout outs for Ricks. They have amazingly playable necks.

Goes to show how subjective this all is. The only reason I never bought a Rick was because how uncomfortable I find their necks to be. A friend of mine swears by them. Go figure.

 

[350125g0]

Goes to show how subjective this all is. The only reason I never bought a Rick was because how uncomfortable I find their necks to be. A friend of mine swears by them. Go figure.

I had a Ric very briefly and found it very uncomfortable to play... shame, because I love how they sound... fortunately, there seems to be a bass out there for everyone's tastes.

 

[hdscout]

Surprisingly to me, I like the neck on my Epiphone Firebird more than any other basses. I didn't think I'd like it first, but it plays and sounds just perfect live. On reflection, I do think that I'm fortunate not to be bothered by just about any neck.

 

[zontar]

I do like Jazz Bass necks, but since the first time I played an Ibanez Soundgear it moved into first place.
And that's never changed for me.

 

[Clecoguy]

My Devon J5 is my favorite with my Fender CIJ Geddy Lee Jazz a close second. Each could be my favorite for different reasons.

 

[staurosjohn]

My American Professional jazz has the best neck shape and finish I've ever felt.

I recently picked one up for my latest ‘assembly’ project... comfy neck! Had ‘er Plek’d & a fret level/dress, etc.

 

[Spidey2112]

... fortunately, there seems to be a bass out there for everyone's tastes.

Truth.

 

[Eric Kjelstrom]

The best neck for me is the Telecaster Bass I've had since 1968. It's muscle memory I guess.

I tried a Spector for a couple of years to see what active electronics were all about. It took me awhile to get used to that neck.

It was OK, but my Tele felt like my own .. something ... I think.

Love the neck on my Tele too.

 

[gigetto]

Neck not reinforced with graphite or bars could be not as slim and not confortably like these.

 

[Maynjo]

I recently picked one up for my latest ‘assembly’ project... comfy neck! Had it Plek’d & a fret level...

View attachment 3755443

The satin finish on the neck is otherworldly.

 

[BasEd]

I picked up a USA Lakland 44-60 Classic recently and I’m beginning to think this is the most comfortable neck I’ve played. Definitely better than the USA Fender Jazz Standard I traded it for which feels mass produced in comparison (obviously it is mass produced and the Lakland is handmade). Also slightly better then the boutique basses I’ve owned IMHO (Sadowsky Metro, Xotic). I loved the neck on my EBMM Stingray but wasn’t as keen on the tone. It’s a wide neck but somehow still very comfortable.

 

[TN WOODMAN]

I guess my 1st choice would be my ESP/LTD 204 p/j. “B” width nut and perfect carve and finish on the back of the all maple neck. Bragged on this neck for years to my buddy, he finally found one and he’s picked up the mantle. We’ve both had and have a lot of basses but agree these are total sleepers. With upgraded electronics , amazing basses.

Second place would be a tie between my Classic 50s p and Korean E7 Bullet. 1.75 Nuts, thin front to back, classic p bass feel on both of these. Super comfortable to play for long stretches.

Honorable mention: the Warmoth necks I have on my ‘56 p build (all maple) and my unlined all maple neck Fretless p/j. Necks are identical except one has small and one has large headstock. These are “A” width with standard taper backs and feel great. I have several jazz basses and actually prefer a wider nut width overall but these necks have meat on them and feel and play superbly.