• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Most comfortable neck EVER?...

The PreEB StingRay necks is the best feel to me.
By 1960 Leo was known for going with necks that were very thin front-to-back.
However I'm not a fan of 1-3/4" widths on a 4 string. I love my 65 J neck but 1-7/16" is dangerously thin.
So when Leo did the StingRay, he did the same very thin profile on 1-5/8" width which is just perfect to me. And the very rounded fretboard edges he was known for feels as soft as holding peeled hardboiled egg in your hand.
 
This G&L JB

20200724_132658.jpg


It just plays so effortlessly all the way up the neck and doesn't buzz anywhere . I play 5 strings and that is where I'm at musically but this four string is tugging at me saying "just play me and be happy ". I can play most of our bands tunes on the 4 string but it won't sound quite the same or have as much tonal variation . Wish I had a 5 that played as well as the G&L although both my 5s are great .
 
This bass is a 1954 Fender P-Bass. The neck is a baseball bat and I love it. It’s worn and smooth, with the slightest hint of a “V” shape. I dig this bass and no other bass I’ve played feels exactly like it. It has the pencil date on the neck butt “T.G. 3-54”. It was shaped by Fender’s most famous neck shaper Tadeo Gomez.
7d2_0755.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2saddleslab
Considering all of the basses I own, and considering the cost - and reputation - of some of them, it's still a small surprise how marvelous the neck on this bass -
View attachment 3741791 a Gen 1 MIK Dano DC59 Pro - feels and plays. Smooth as silk, and fast as a snake, it fits my hand just right. So nice, in fact, that I have two of them... But, if it wasn't for it's painted finish?
View attachment 3741795 My '73 Rick 4001 would be the one. Not quite as slick and fast as the Dano, it's still my go-to bass 'cause... well, 'cause it's a Rick. My '01 COY 4003 runs it a very close 3rd. Honorable mentions?
View attachment 3741798 View attachment 3741796 View attachment 3741797 The Gibson T-Bird and the Dano Longhorn are victims of painted necks - as are my Ricks. Fortunately, my hands are very dry, and almost never sweat, so it's nothing I can't easily deal with. It just makes them that "half a step behind" that keeps them out of the top spot. The DC59's neck is a narrow, fairly thin flattened "D"; so are necks on my Ricks. The other 3 have slightly wider, somewhat flattened "C" necks. Still very nice, but... no cigar. The G&L Tom Hamilton ASAT Bass? The satin finish is a big plus, AFAIC. It might just wind up in 4th spot, after I've played it some more...:whistle:
Well...
After 4+ years - and several more basses - my "Bass Herd", at 27, is finally complete. However...
While the new basses in the Herd all have necks that I have no complaints or trouble with? None of them can claim the Top Spot. The Dano DC59 still rules the roost. My new-for-'24 Birdsong Fusion Fretless bass has bumped the Dano Longhorn out of the running, though. A little thinner; a little more flattened contour; and no paint, makes it just that much easier to play. As for the G&L ASAT? The new G&L Kiloton Fretless bumps it down some. So... Most comfortable neck - for me? In order:
1. '98 Dano DC59 Pro
2. '73 Rick 4001/'01 Rick 4003
3. '24 Birdsong Fusion Fretless
4. '24 G&L Kiloton Fretless. Don't know if all the Kilotons have necks like this, or if it's just that mine's a lefty - and came from the Custom Shop... ;)
 

Latest posts