Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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 free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Most playable neck
- Thread starter umberto
- Start date
)
The neck of my 5 string Bongo feels like it was fitted to the exact measurements of my hand. My other favorite was my ex-Sterling. That one felt gooood.
Without a doubt...my Hoyt/Warmoth J5. 35 in. scale neck made for me by luthier/part-time educator/full-time character Karl Hoyt, maple with pau ferro fingerboard. He does a wonderful slightly assymetrical flattened C shape with a 15 or 18 in radius (I forget). Nut width is about 1-3/4 which doesn't feel as narrow as it reads. Karl did a hand rubbed satin polyurethane finish that is just wonderful.
The body is an ash Warmoth J5 (an oddity for Karl because he usually build the whole instrument). I bought the bass from Karl without electronics and installed EMGs with a BTS preamp and bass expander module.
I've tried basses costing thousands and thousands of $$ and have yet to find anything that comes close.
If you ever cross paths with one of Karls creations, you owe it to yourself to play it.
The body is an ash Warmoth J5 (an oddity for Karl because he usually build the whole instrument). I bought the bass from Karl without electronics and installed EMGs with a BTS preamp and bass expander module.
I've tried basses costing thousands and thousands of $$ and have yet to find anything that comes close.
If you ever cross paths with one of Karls creations, you owe it to yourself to play it.
My 1966 percision bass.
This neck is just made for me.
I also did MTD- 19mm. necks.
And Warwicks wide-20mm. neck.
My two faves so far; my friend's 2000 Status Energy 5 and my Belman/Formentin Fretless 5. Neck by Belman, shaped like an inverted cookie. Mmmmm 
xyllion
Commercial User
- Jan 14, 2003
- 2,132
- 185
- 62
- Disclosures
- Owner, Looperlative Audio Products
Ok, since everyone is ignoring the fact that this all about personal preference, I will agree with BillyB and say that nothing feels as good as my two Karl Hoyt built necks (soon to be my 3 Karl Hoyt built necks).
- May 2, 2004
- 2,862
- 243
- 38
- Disclosures
- owner/builder, ISLAND Instrument Mfg.
OF the basses I currently own: MM StingRay 5.
Of all the basses I've owned previously: Ken Smith BSR5GN.
dcr
Of all the basses I've owned previously: Ken Smith BSR5GN.
dcr
T
temp5897
Guest
This is going to be pretty darn subjective.
My favorite neck is the standard Fodera neck. For me it is the best I have personally played and I have pretty much played everything.
Here are a few other makes that I think carves a superb neck.
Nordstrand - Knows what he's doing
Conklin - Makes extended range playing a pleasure
F bass - Very comfortable and fast
Hanewinckel - plays great
MTD - Cool if you dig the asymetrical thing
For me these are the upper echelon of bass neck carving, I may have left a few out but these are the most comfortable that I have experienced. This topic is so subjective however that specific recommendations are tough.
My favorite neck is the standard Fodera neck. For me it is the best I have personally played and I have pretty much played everything.
Here are a few other makes that I think carves a superb neck.
Nordstrand - Knows what he's doing
Conklin - Makes extended range playing a pleasure
F bass - Very comfortable and fast
Hanewinckel - plays great
MTD - Cool if you dig the asymetrical thing
For me these are the upper echelon of bass neck carving, I may have left a few out but these are the most comfortable that I have experienced. This topic is so subjective however that specific recommendations are tough.
Planet Boulder
Hey, this is a private residence...man
- Nov 10, 2001
- 4,014
- 65
- Disclosures
- I once had impure thoughts. Oh, and I pluck my ear hair.
Sadly, I have not played a Fodera, Sadowsky, american MTD or a bunch of others mentioned, so i can only go with what I like based upon my own experience.
I personally prefer the MTD Kingston neck. It is just so smooth and ridiculously easy to play. The 5-string neck on the Kingston is the perfect width for my tastes.
If you like small, fast-playing necks, check out an old Tune Bass Maniac sometime. Truly effortless.
I personally prefer the MTD Kingston neck. It is just so smooth and ridiculously easy to play. The 5-string neck on the Kingston is the perfect width for my tastes.
If you like small, fast-playing necks, check out an old Tune Bass Maniac sometime. Truly effortless.
Geoff St. Germaine
Commercial User
- Aug 31, 2001
- 6,267
- 302
- Disclosures
- Owner - St. Germaine Guitars
Rockwood curbow necks are the best i ever played. And most of the people that played mine aggree.
The opening posts suggests high end basses off the most playable necks. I've picked up Danelectro's, Ibanez Soundgear, MIM Jazz basses that had very playable necks.
If that was the sole criteria, there are many basses that have very easy playable necks at all price points.
If that was the sole criteria, there are many basses that have very easy playable necks at all price points.
Without a doubt, my new STATUS ELECTRO!!!
The best instrument I have ever played.
I can't believe it...
The best instrument I have ever played.
I can't believe it...
in no particular order, for my tastes...
Conklin
Bee
Nordstrand
Adler
Boyd
I also played a '62 jazz that was out of this world!
from the lows,
Stew
Conklin
Bee
Nordstrand
Adler
Boyd
I also played a '62 jazz that was out of this world!
from the lows,
Stew
I agree with you minger, ive played a lot of basses and the only ones i use are ibanez, they just feel right for me. ive got a GSR205 and an EDB600, both are the most comfortable basses ive ever played, when i have enough funds i shall be investing in either a BTB405QMTK or an EDA905. What does th RB look like? i dont think ive seen it and i cant find it on the ibanez site.
In Order of Basses I have played Extensively:
1. Modulus Quantum 6.
2. Fodera Monarch.
3. MTD.
4. Fender Jazz.
5. Fender P.
6. Lakland 55-02.
1. Modulus Quantum 6.
2. Fodera Monarch.
3. MTD.
4. Fender Jazz.
5. Fender P.
6. Lakland 55-02.
Of the basses I have owned, my 1960 stack knob jazz bass in it's prime had the best playing neck. Unfortunately, it became unstable. Of my current basses, I like my Pedulla MVP. However, both basses mentioned are 4 stringers and I've not made my mind up on 5, 6, or 7 ... stringers. The only 7 I ever laid my hands on was a regular Conklin and I thought the neck felt pretty good for so many strings, but the bass was too heavy to be comfortable for long nights for me.
