New neck help?

[bassman10096]

You will probably need to do a set up each time you switch necks. No two are alike.

That’s the most I’ve ever needed to do when I’ve swapped a neck with a Fender-spec’d heel into a Fender body. P and J necks have the same sized heel.
This is one of the simplest mods, but small adjustments are usually needed in the end. If you don’t like the result you can always reinstall the fretless neck.

 

[simongpaez]

I agree, I have changed Fender necks for fretted and fretless bases and there are some adjustments you need on the bridge and the neck,other than that nothing mayor, if you like the sound why not?. I don't think you need to buy a new bass. I wouldn't

 

[Fender_Bender]

One thing to bear in mind is that when you take a neck off for any extended length of time you should relax the truss rod to neutral. So this naturally adds time to the setup. You’ll likely have to adjust the intonation each time unless you get very lucky. And as others have mentioned having the neck screws going in and out will eventually ruin the wood where the screws go into the neck.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Hi all...
I have a MIM Jazz Fretless that I would like to buy a fretted neck for. I’ve never been much of a modifications guy. In all my decades of playing bass, I’ve really only modded two Basses. One I absolutely destroyed (I stripped it down and pulled all the electronics; wanted to alter the body contours and strip the frets.) I got the shape I wanted and I got the frets pulled and got it all put back together (didn’t paint it; just left it natural wood color) and it actually worked and sounded the same but the action was a mile and half off the board. So I guess I didn’t really destroy it but I was unsure how to fix the action (I was 17); I also lived in a very small town and the only music store within driving range was in the next town over. I ended up giving the bass to a friend who was interested in learning.
The only other bass I’ve modded is my current MIM Jazz fretless. I changed the pups and the bridge and removed the wiring and pots and installed an obsidian harness. I really want to buy a fretted neck so I can have the option of fretless or fretted with a simple neck change. But is it a simple neck change? Is there a drop in neck? Would the neck from any jazz do or maybe I should look at Warmoth? What type of adjustments might I have to make? Would I need to shim the neck or possibly trim it some? Is it just “buy a neck and make it work?” I just want to make sure it will be a fit that allows me to easily play. Sorry for all the questions but this is new to me. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Yeah, you'll just drop it in. But, you'll then give it a good set up to get everything where you want it. Then, repeat going back.

 

[Slater]

the frets are going to make the action at the nut just a tiny bit higher, so I think in swapping back and forth fretted/fretless necks, one would either want to use a separate nut for each neck, or bring the nut up by the thickness of the frets above the fingerboard when switching to fretted ~

I would assume each neck would have its own nut attached.

Why on earth would you not have a nut glued into each neck?

I own several basses, but just one nut.

 

[BobKos]

Can't offer neck swap advice other than to say I think Warmoth makes some of the best necks in existence. I would also say in regards to recent gear purchases - it seems I will run across two or three basses at around the same time that are just amazing deals for me. Not just one. It always seems to happen in multiples. I get the buyer's remorse thing but after the pain goes away I am always happy I took advantage of the great deals offered to me. So I say get the Jazz Bass. You won't regret it.

 

[Cowboy in Latvia]

I own several basses, but just one nut.

So what happens when your nut busts (implying but not outright saying it...)?

 

[Paulabass]

I own several basses, but just one nut.

How does your wife feel about that?

 

[Alessandro Cruz]

Buy another bass. Period.

Unless you're into the hit and miss vibe, and like experiments. And have enough money to throw at it.

 

[casualmadness]

Buy another bass. Period.

Unless you're into the hit and miss vibe, and like experiments. And have enough money to throw at it.

Yeah that’s the conclusion I’ve arrived at as well. However...*sigh* it will have to wait as yesterday I spent the equivalent of a new bass on one of my other hobbies.

 

[Alessandro Cruz]

I changed the neck of my SR5 "look-a-like" once because truss rod went bad. Luckily i succeeded... And finished the job with a matching pickguard made with a Dremel and lots of patience...

 

[buldog5151bass]

If you expect to be switching regularly between fretted and fretless, you might be better off just buying a fretted jazz. Lots of used options out there.

 

[bearfoot]

Why on earth would you not have a nut glued into each neck?

ha, what the heck? Nut-swapping is not recommended! Got my head in other problems where the components are all very expensive - !

 

[Slater]

So what happens when your nut busts (implying but not outright saying it...)?

In typical fashion, I’ll be out of action until I have another nut to bust.

How does your wife feel about that?

Usually, with her right hand.