Neck thickness on 6 strings fretless

[Riccardo90]

Hello everyone!
A few years back I got myself a 6 string fretless bass. The previous owner had changed the fretboard which is a little bit thicker than usual: gives a great action but a rather massive neck. I had played 5 string basses and fretless basses before but it was my first time playing a blind fretboard and first time playing a 6 string.

Point is, after few years I still kinda struggle with that bass and it doesn't feel exactly comfortable (playing in tune, muting, getting rid of unwanted harmonics, all tasks are much harder than in other basses I have). I start to wonder whether is due to the neck thickness and thinking about getting a luthier to reduce the fretboard (I have a bit smaller hands than average).

Do you think it makes sense or should I just play more? Can 1 or 2 extra mm thickness change that much? Or should I maybe start to play a fretted 6 string to build up muscular memory and then try again the fretless? And what do you prefer as a neck type?

Sorry for the super long post, I'm eager to read what everybody is thinking!

 

[micguy]

There are people that play fretless basses that have much thicker necks, and they seem to get along with them just fine. They're called uprights.

I think you play best on what you're used to. If you play that bass exclusively for a while, you'll likely find that it becomes "normal". I played 4s for a long time, then started playing 5's - at first, the 5's necks (they are all literally the same shape neck - a wide 1 7/8 nut , with a decently thick profile) felt big and clumsy, but it wasn't long before they felt like home. Now, If I pick up a 4 string (even one with a "chunky" neck), it feels like a toothpick.

 

[Element Zero]

If it’s not comfortable, sell it off and get something else that fits better. Check out the MusicMan John Myung signature Bongo. 6 string bass on a 5 string neck. Not my cup of tea, but considerably easier on the hands imo.

 

[Watchootognbout]

You may want to look for a qualified luthier that can shave off a few mm or so.
Is the bass neck bolt on or neck thru?

 

[Riccardo90]

There are people that play fretless basses that have much thicker necks, and they seem to get along with them just fine. They're called uprights.

Yeah I've been telling myself the same for years indeed! XD

 

[Riccardo90]

Is the bass neck bolt on or neck thru?

It is a neck through. The original bass was a Cort A6 and they changed the fretboard with an ebony one!

 

[JRA]

Can 1 or 2 extra mm thickness change that much?

yes, of course!

it's important to be realistic about what features of your instrument work for you and which ones would improve the playing experience if modified, and the feel of the neck is one of those that can be changed to accommodate your preferences.

IME/IMO, the biggest issue is whether to modify that ax or look for relief with another, different instrument. i'd probably opt for the less expensive option in general, so i'd be interested in the opinion of a real luthier about the viability of modifying the neck on an ax i already had: what modifications can be done successfully, and how much will it cost?

for the past dozen years or so i have done minor alterations to neck shapes myself (thickness/shape front to back), but i paid a luthier to reduce the width of a neck from the nut to the neck/body join. he only charged $80 USD, but that was ~10 years ago.

it might be well worth your time to consult someone who can help you assess the ax, your ideas, and the process/cost of the modification(s) you have in mind. good luck getting a more comfortable fretless neck!

 

[Geogio]

Removing material from the fingerboard is not an issue. It's relatively easy. The hard part is doing it within the radius of the instrument and if you have a asymmetrical radius it might be even more difficult. That's a question somebody with the tools and the experience can better answer.

 

[micguy]

If you really are going to remove material, assuming you know there’s some meat behind the truss rod, taking it off the back of the neck rather than the fingerboard gives the truss rod more leverage - it’ll work better, with less tension needed to balance the string tension.

It’s also an easier process, as the need for flatness is less critical than it is on the fingerboard.

 

[RichterScale]

Can we get some pics of this bass?
If the FB was changed and the new one is thicker, I might opt for sanding down the FB or 2 and then make a new nut and bridge adjustments.
Was it fretted before and they made the fretless board thicker to make up for the height of the frets?
I agree that shaving the back of the neck is more forgiving than shaving the board down, because the board has to be perfect. But, being ebony and being thicker, it made the neck a lot stiffer and a little heavier, not to mention, uncomfortable to play.
I'd take the board down to what the original board thickness was and then adjust the nut and bridge to get your action right.
My guess is there's already very little meat on the back of the neck, behind the TR.
Does this bass have a volute? Tilted HS? Straight? Scarf joint?
Post some pics.

 

[micguy]

One other detail to think about if you're thinning a neck - frets add thickness to a neck, as what you feel is how far the strings' surfaces are from the back of the neck. If you're trying to make the neck the same "thickness" as a fretted one, you need to measure the fretted neck's thickness including a fret, not between the frets.

 

[ole Jason]

Hmm is the neck so thick it's impeding proper left-hand technique? Usually front to back thickness doesn't really matter, and in most cases thicker is better, but that's more true if you're playing with rounded fingers with the thumb on the back of the neck similar to playing upright. It gets trickier with extended range basses because if the neck is also very wide it can cause issues for people with smaller hands (I also have small hands). My bass is thicker than most until you get to around the 12th fret then it thins out considerably to accommodate the increasing width of the fretboard.

 

[Snert]

Does this bass have a volute? Tilted HS? Scarf joint?

Yes, yes, no. 5 piece maple / walnut NT.

 

[RichterScale]

Yes, yes, no. 5 piece maple / walnut NT.

Ah, I missed the post with the model.

 

[Killing Floor]

All our hands are shaped differently.

As far as the adventure of unlined, I “like” to practice with a tuner running so I can check myself. It helps with the muscle memory for position but also tricks me into looking away from the neck which wouldn’t help anyway because it’s unlined.

I’ll say from experience, as dumb as it sounds, I find it a lot easier to land proper notes in a group situation than alone. I find the nails-on-chalk of being flat or sharp to the guitarist flips a switch in my tiny brain and maybe helps me learn faster.

 

[Lenny JG]

Mr. Potato doesn't like this conversation.

But really; just keep on it and it'll make you appreciate and navigate your thinner necks a bit more.

 

[Geogio]

If the fretboard has been off once it can come off a second time - probably easier than the first.

If it came down to that...

 

[Bruce Johnson]

Make a mockup....Or have your Luthier make it for you. Cut a piece of scrap wood, matching the dimensions and shape of a section of the neck, but a little thinner front to back. How does it feel in your hand? Then you can decide whether to have the modification made to the bass.

Players have different preferences based on the geometry of their hands and their playing technique. Messing around with neck section mockups will help you figure out what works for you.

 

[Riccardo90]

Thank you all for your input, it was super useful!!
(and sorry for my late reply, I was travelling with no internet the past few days)
Here are some pictures of the bass!
The action is not super low to prevent some buzzing spot in the upper register (which might be part of the problem, I've been told the fretboard is too flat).
I guess I'll check with the luthier what can be done and how much would it cost, and then see what to do. But a good point is also that I never really played any other 6 string to compare it to, so trying out other option would definitely give me a better idea of what's the best configuration that works for my hand!!

 

[Watchootognbout]

The action looks extremely high.......
That may be the issue.