Neck shape question

[ItsmeSantiago]

I'm having some arthritis issues these days, and find it difficult to play most of my basses. The only one I can play for longer than a few minutes is my Ibanez BTB 6 string, and I believe it's because the neck is so flat. Every six I've played has had a nice flat neck, but I'm wondering if anybody had any suggestions on a flat 5 string neck. Thank you.

 

[Joce]

By flat you mean the fingerboard, the back of the neck or both?
If you like a flat fingerboard, look for basses with a large fingerboard radius (check the specs).

 

[skeeler]

As mentioned, the flatness of the fingerboard is determined by its radius. A larger radius is flatter.

The thickness of the neck, front to back, is often specified by the maker. For example, Ibanez specifies the thickness at the neck and the 12th fret.

The width of the neck, bass to treble, is also often specifies. Ibanez specifies at the nut and the last fret.

If you like your BTB 6-string, then I suggest a BTB 5-string. Their neck radius is 400 mm, and they are quite thin, front to back. If you also want the neck to be narrow, then I suggest the BTB33. It also has a 33-inch scale, and the bridge is far down on the body (by the strap button), as on the the 35-inch BTBs, so the reach is 2 inches shorter than the 35-inch BTBs and many 34-inches bases (where the neck is further from the end of the body). That might be good for arthritic hands.

 

[ItsmeSantiago]

Thank you for the feedback. I was meaning the back of the neck, not necessarily the fingerboard. Not sure if the two go hand in hand necessarily. I owned a 5 string BTB a while back but I can't remember how the neck felt. I've played the BTB33 and can't remember how that felt either. Brain doesn't operate all that well these days. Thanks again!

 

[pappabass]

would narrow spacing help you out?

 

[lz4005]

Thank you for the feedback. I was meaning the back of the neck, not necessarily the fingerboard. Not sure if the two go hand in hand necessarily. I owned a 5 string BTB a while back but I can't remember how the neck felt. I've played the BTB33 and can't remember how that felt either. Brain doesn't operate all that well these days. Thanks again!

Ibanez is known for having thin (front to back) necks.
If the neck on the 6 is working for you, the same model in a 5 would be a good one to try. The shapes should be very similar.

 

[skeeler]

Ibanez is known for having thin (front to back) necks.
If the neck on the 6 is working for you, the same model in a 5 would be a good one to try. The shapes should be very similar.

Agreed. The 5- and 6-string BTB basses have the same thickness, and the 5-string is a bit narrower. If you like your BTB 6-string, then a BTB 5-string is the obvious place to start.

 

[ItsmeSantiago]

would narrow spacing help you out?

I'm guessing not. It's my left hand that's bothering me more than my right while playing. Scheduling an appointment with a rheumatologist to get this junk figured out. 31 is too young for this.

 

[skeeler]

I'm guessing not. It's my left hand that's bothering me more than my right while playing.

I would think the left hand would benefit more from narrower string spacing (and shorter scale length) than the right. I don't have arthritis, but I do have very small hands, and I tend to prefer the thinest and narrowest neck I can get. Given that you like your BTB 6-er, the 5-string BTBs are a good place to start. With the exception of the BTB33, they all have 35-inch scales and 19-mm spacing, which might not be ideal for arthritic hands. You might also consider the SR 5ers. They are all 34 inches, with 16.5-mm spacing, with the exception of the SRSC805, which has 18-mm spacing (and might also be worth considering). The SR necks are essentially the same thickness as the BTBs but are narrower due to the spacing. BTBs have 400-mm-radius boards, and the SRs are 305, IIRC. For something even easier on your hands, try the BTB33, which has a 33-inch scale and 17-mm spacing. The bridge position on the BTBs keeps the reach low, especially on the BTB33.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

+1 on an Ibanez, nearly all of them are very thin front to back. I notice that more than width across the face, but Ibanez are thin that way too if you are ok with tighter string spacing.

 

[ole Jason]

Can you post some pictures of your left hand technique? Very thin necks are usually not the answer. In fact, rounder necks can be much more ergonomic... look at double bass & cello necks.

 

[bassbenj]

Can you post some pictures of your left hand technique? Very thin necks are usually not the answer. In fact, rounder necks can be much more ergonomic... look at double bass & cello necks.

I do sort of agree with this though I find my Ibanez 6 string neck (SR206, SR506) VERY comfy and easy to play. On the other hand I love a fat wide P-bass 5er neck, I love the chunky necks on my SX jazz clones. I hate the profile on my Fender Deluxe jazz and it makes my hand tired much sooner than most of my other basses.

So I think there is more to neck comfort than just width and curvatures. I think it all goes together to make a system that either works for you or does not. But my opinion of the comfort of Ibby necks does seem to be widely shared.