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Neck Profiles - Thick Vs. Thin - What's your preference?

Fat Neck VS Thin Neck: What's you're preference?

  • Fat Neck (from fretboard surface to back of the neck)

    Votes: 103 30.9%

  • Thin Neck (from fretboard surface to back of the neck)

    Votes: 238 71.5%
  • Total voters
    333
#22
ErikP.Bass said:
This is an interesting point. I'd be curious to see how the different manufacturer specs lined up. It may be a little obsessive to make it into a science but it's certainly one of the most important factors I consider in buying an instrument.

I've been thinking a lot about it lately so I was happy to run into this thread. There's so much that goes into a neck in addition to profile as some have noted....frets, finish, radius etc. I guess I should focus more on playing though!
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I try to only make interesting points.

It's not hard for them to figure out neck depth. They use calipers. It's a very important measurement for playing comfort and I don't know why only some companies list it. Fender doesn't, by the way. The constant focus on nut width (J v. P) only tells a fraction of the story. My Lakland USA JO and Glaub (with JO neck) are 10x more playable and comfortable than my MIA Fenders primarily because of the neck depth (and finish the neck and vintage frets, which is a whole different story).
 
#23
As far as thickness goes, I don't think I have I preference. Although I may and just not know it yet. I have grown very fond of a narrower neck. And, I really like a fretboard with a flatter radius. My Fender Dimension has a 12" radius, and I find it's incredibly easy to play.
 
#24
I would like to find a way to take an impression of a neck profile without damaging a bass.

I was thinking I could wrap some air-dry clay (or something similar) around a section of the neck then break it off, then trace around it to get a 2D representation of the neck profile. But there must be a better way.

...bandsaw:eyebrow:

I always look for the neck profile drawing from manufacturers. I think Ibanez does a good job of documenting that information.
 
#26
Thin, but not Ibanez super thin. Warmoth, Jazz bass, slim taper, feels amazing. They make the best necks out there anyways. Same quality as USA Custom guitar for those who like their necks. But at Warmoth you get a huge selection of necks already made up in their showcase in many woods and styles. Or you can custom build them too with tons of options. Top notch quality!
 
#27
D.M.N. said:
I like a really shallow vintage C shape. The AVRI 62 Precision and Jazz necks are perfect for me. The deeper U and more modern P-neck shape doesn't do it for me. I mean, I can adapt, but it isn't nearly as comfortable. Depth of the neck bugs me way more than say, nut width.
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Same here...I have both the 62 RI PBass and 62 Jazz I love both necks but I actually prefer the wider P neck.
 
#28
maguire said:
Hey Erik -

I have a Dingwall ABZ5 string that has an amazingly thin neck. I keep going back to that as the most comfortable neck I've ever played.

Here is a list of some basses and descriptions in order of my preference:

1. Dingwall ABZ 5: Thin, Flat and Smooth Satin Finish. The neck is responsive and soft at the same time - tough to describe, but heavenly to play.

2. Alembic Epic 5: Thin, and Flat, but has bit more heft than the Dingwall. Very Comortable. The finish feels a bit "gummy" at times.

3. Hamer Cruisebass 5: the neck profile is asymmetrical so it is thicker at the B string and very thin at the G. The asymmetry creates a ledge and gives your thumb a nice place to anchor. it also offers some reference for the placement of your hand on the fretboard.

4. Stingray Classic 5: Medium and rounder profile. Glossy finish keeps it smooth.

5. Warwick Corvette 6: Korean Standard Series 2010: Hefty but Flat and even.

6. Warwick Corvette 5 2006: German Chunky and somewhat flat -a bit of curvature.

As for Fender P Basses and J Basses - I have only tried MIM, and I liked them a lot - they felt natural and comfortable, but I didn't notice a big difference between the MIM J and P.

i'd like to somehow take a mold of all of the neck profiles so I can see them clearly! I'm kind of obsessive about neck profiles for some reason.
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I've actually found on that year corvette that the neck profile changes. It is flat from aprox the 5-7th fret too the joint but from the first to the 5thish fret, the neck is rounder and not nearly as flat.
 
#29
maguire said:
I would like to find a way to take an impression of a neck profile without damaging a bass.

I was thinking I could wrap some air-dry clay (or something similar) around a section of the neck then break it off, then trace around it to get a 2D representation of the neck profile. But there must be a better way.

...bandsaw:eyebrow:

I always look for the neck profile drawing from manufacturers. I think Ibanez does a good job of documenting that information.
Click to expand...

make a neck rest sort of device that holds the neck at the headstock and the joint. like a long widish cut of pine and put a thin trim around it with scrap bits. Lay clay down on the pine where the neck will lay for the entire length. Then lay plastic over the clay, then press the back of the neck in. When it hardens you have a perfect cast of the neck. You can do the same for the front face of the neck as well. :bassist:
 
#31
mellowinman said:
Whatever is on my Jazz bass. I like it very much.
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Personally I think people make WAY too big a deal out things like neck profile and string spacing. Just pull up your big boy pants and deal with it.

But that said, let me say that whatever is on my Fender Jazz bass (5er) is the neck I like the LEAST. There is just something irritating about the shape of it. I'd say my MOST favorite neck is the one on my Squier PJ 5er. It's really not THAT different from the jazz but still like night and day to me.

My main axes are G&L L-2500s with the "chunky" necks I love. But I also love the fast thin necks on my Ibanez 6ers. I also love the "technological" feel of the carbon neck on my Modulus and especially love the total lack of any need for adjustment. The thin Carvin 5er neck is nice too. And I even like the sort of fatish necks on my SX basses.

And that said, let me also say that I don't have a cow over the super fat necks on my wishbasses either. I mean those are FAT! But they play just fine.

Just what is the big deal with necks for some players? I guess I'm just not the "sensitive artist" type. Figures. I play bass.
 
#32
I love me a chunky neck. I play a Warwick Corvette 5 and the neck is massive. I don't know why but I like it. I have tried thinner necks, I just don't get on with them. Feel like I'm gonna break it. :D

Even when I play guitar I prefer the Jackson necks, they're chunky and awesome. My first guitar was a Yamaha and that had a thinner neck, but the thicker ones are for me.
 
#37
curbowkid said:
make a neck rest sort of device that holds the neck at the headstock and the joint. like a long widish cut of pine and put a thin trim around it with scrap bits. Lay clay down on the pine where the neck will lay for the entire length. Then lay plastic over the clay, then press the back of the neck in. When it hardens you have a perfect cast of the neck. You can do the same for the front face of the neck as well. :bassist:
Click to expand...

That's exactly the technique I was hoping to find!

I'll let you know if I use my free-time to actually do this.

Thanks!
 
#38
I'm pretty accustomed to and comfortable with 60's neck profiles of JBasses and PBasses. I play JBasses more often but either will work fine for me. I'm not a fan of the chunkier 50's "U" profile necks on either my basses or my guitars. "C" or soft "V" profiles feel best.
 

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