In particular the Fender rolled edges necks, haven’t played one, is it a thing,noticeable difference?
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Necks with rolled edges
- Thread starter jim nolte
- Start date
Most new Fenders I’ve played need fretwork, sometimes even custom shop basses. I haven’t noticed a huge difference, my 76 P has rounded edges, like really round. New Fenders are more square.
I recently started this thread with similar curiosity:
Which Fender & Squier Series have Rolled Fretboard Edges and Questions About this Feature in General
Which Fender & Squier Series have Rolled Fretboard Edges and Questions About this Feature in General
I went shopping a few months ago.
Tried the new Fender '50s Vintera P bass, thought it looked great in Seafoam Green and was really looking forward to buying it.
I also tried the Epiphone '60s Thunderbird.
No rolled edges on the Fender, but the Epiphone?
Couldn't put it down.
If I'd never before played a bass with a neck that had rolled fretboard edges, the difference would've been obvious within the first minute.
I have played basses with rolled edges, though, but I simply didn't know you could expect such quality on a $700 bass.
The T-bird blew the Fender out of the water...incredible tone...but the comfort of the neck was definitely the deciding factor.
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it's a "thing" for me, and it's definitely "noticeable" on some axes. for me it's simple: if i'm 'too aware' of the fingerboard edge (for me it's the bottom, G string edge) then i want to roll that edge a bit and move on. some edges are built/left with a sharper edge than others so the player has to decide if it's an issue. i have some narrower necks with sharper edges but they don't need rolled (for me) because of the narrowness/thickness/profile of that particular neck in my hands. also: if i only played a specific ax occasionally = wouldn't be an issue. so: i'm in the 'it depends' group with this issue --- i think a rolled edge is a nice comfort feature on some axes for some players.
rounding the edge of a fingerboard is easy peasy! anyone can do it in five minutes or less!
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I'm battling this issue with a Vintera 50s Precision I just got. Love the build quality, finish, tone, weight, and pretty much everything about it........except the darn fretboard edges. I was under the impression that they would be rolled, since I read that the Roadworn and former Classic series basses were. To my dismay, it is quite the "hard" edge. Fretwork itself is great, but that wooden edge is uncomfortable. No doubt the wider neck on these has at least a little to do with how much I notice it. And since its a gloss poly coated neck/fretboard, there's not much I can do about it without getting in way over my head in refinishing. Ugh. 
Love rolled edges and will do my own if necessary.
I think..........all the old Fender 50s P Basses with maple necks had rolled edges. Then in 1959, they started using rosewood and the rolled edges thing kind of stopped. Please don't quote me on this.
Then in the 70s, they started offering maple again but I have no idea if the edges were rolled. (In the late 60s, the Telecaster Bass was born with maple neck but I don't know if the maple edges were rolled. Perhaps someone can chime in.)
Rolled edges feel nice but they do narrow up the neck width a little bit. Not much but a little.
Then in the 70s, they started offering maple again but I have no idea if the edges were rolled. (In the late 60s, the Telecaster Bass was born with maple neck but I don't know if the maple edges were rolled. Perhaps someone can chime in.)
Rolled edges feel nice but they do narrow up the neck width a little bit. Not much but a little.
The only time I had a bass that really needed it was a fretless SX I have. The edges were really sharp and the solution was to simply push the shaft of a screwdriver back and forth along it until it smoothed out.
**edited to add** it has a rosewood board
**edited to add** it has a rosewood board
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Would you go as far as refinishing the gloss poly coat? I'm tempted to "fix" my Vintera P, but worried I'll screw up the refinishing stage. I haven't done anything remotely like that before.
I do not care for sharp fretboard/fingerboard edges. I like them rounded. No binding.
Rolled edges are a nice feature.
Definitely noticeable when playing.
Definitely noticeable when playing.
Lucky for me all my necks are finished in nitro and relics, or original 50's. Not sure how I would approach a poly gloss finish, or if I would even try. You should be able to round some of the edging without noticeable damage to the finish, but I've never tried it on a poly finish.
When I first got onto TalkBass I read about Warmoth necks and how good they were. When I managed to buy two of them second hand , one fretted and one fretless, I could see and feel what they were talking about..... with the only downside being that the fretboard edges were very sharp on both of them. A bit of money spent with a very good luthier rolling the edges, including the fret ends, made them as close to the perfect neck as possible.
My recently purchased SR1200 has very nicely rolled edges to.
The only bass I have without rolled edges is my 8 string. The luthier I now use due to moving to NZ didn't want to damage the painted finish. I'd still like to smooth them out.
My recently purchased SR1200 has very nicely rolled edges to.
The only bass I have without rolled edges is my 8 string. The luthier I now use due to moving to NZ didn't want to damage the painted finish. I'd still like to smooth them out.
All of mine have rolled edges .
Fender Elite Jazz V , USA Geddy Lee, and Classic Vibe 60’s Precision.
Even my Sire V3-5.
Fender Elite Jazz V , USA Geddy Lee, and Classic Vibe 60’s Precision.
Even my Sire V3-5.
Me too. I generally use the side of the shaft on a screwdriver or similar tool. If you apply hard, even pressure along the length of the neck edge, the wood compresses and it can come out looking pretty good.
Noticeable difference in playability but you might also have to re-dress your fret ends a bit afterwards cuz it will feel like they stick out more. Although I've used it on a maple board, it is not recommended for maple with the thick coat of varnish as it will crack. I've heard you can use a razor blade to shave off material on those types of neck edges.
edit: I just saw your comment @FreshEddie
Looks like you know that trick too.
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Totally worth it. I think Fender advertises it on the new Am Pro II and Elites. I have a USCG neck with rolled edges and it's a whole nother beast.
