Re-shape Fender Precision "C" neck to an "A"?

[Whale]

I have a line on a 66 Precision. It's been through a zillion gigs... which gives it a certain amount of mojo. The thing is, the neck is thick as all get-out. It's a C version.

If I get the bass I'll very likely buy a replacement neck with the size that fits my hands more comfortably, but I was wondering if anyone has ever re-shaped their P Bass neck to a B or an A size.

(Note; Back when Fender used C, B, and A to designate the thickness of their P Bass necks. Nowadays, we refer to those letters and others to define the actual profile.)

 

[Lowbrow]

Maybe back in 1968!

 

[J-Bass RMR]

I was wondering if anyone has ever re-shaped their P Bass neck to a B or an A size.

Lee Sklar

There are laws that prohibit this now...

 

[Beej]

Yes, that's perfectly doable. You can use a large file and run down the edges of the neck to make it a B width from a C width, blending it in closer to where it goes into the neck pocket. At the nut, B is 1 5/8" and C 1 3/4". It's only 1/16" from each side of the neck - you might not even need a new nut. You'd have to blend a finish or refinish the neck to cover the bare wood that's exposed in the process. One thing to watch for is how deeply the side dots are installed, as you may file away most of the 3rd fret dot in the process. I hope it goes without saying that you can only do this on an unbound neck.

I've done this more than once to a bass neck, though not a 1966 Precision Bass, which I presume you've mentioned entirely for ragebaiting the Basses forum.

 

[Stylee Mousse]

I know you already know this….. but get a replica A neck (“aged” finish etc.) and put the ‘66 neck somewhere safe.

Or yeh, rasp away! It will be a refin then so expect precipitous depreciation

 

[Jazzjames]

I’d say get the bass and see how you get used to it- I used to hate wide p-bass necks and always preferred jazz style necks. I’ve completely changed now since I got my 57 mij reissue. Playing a jazz neck now feels fiddly and a bit cramped.

And if you really don’t like it, get a replacement neck!

 

[Admiral Akbar]

Here’s one: If you don’t like the neck, don’t buy that particular bass. There are enough vintage basses out there where you can find one that matches up with what you are looking for.

 

[bassdude51]

Lee Sklar

There are laws that prohibit this now...

Ha ha ha..............YES! It would be against "the law" to reshape a vintage Fender Bass neck! NEVER!

I have a line on a 66 Precision. It's been through a zillion gigs... which gives it a certain amount of mojo. The thing is, the neck is thick as all get-out. It's a C version.

If I get the bass I'll very likely buy a replacement neck with the size that fits my hands more comfortably, but I was wondering if anyone has ever re-shaped their P Bass neck to a B or an A size.

(Note; Back when Fender used C, B, and A to designate the thickness of their P Bass necks. Nowadays, we refer to those letters and others to define the actual profile.)

WOW! I learned something today. I did not know that Fender offered different neck thickness on their basses back in the day. C, B, A. ??

I own a real deal 1966 P Bass and I do not know what it thickness is. But, it has a very typical Fender P Bass thickness neck. So, a C?....maybe?

I have very average sized or medium sized hands and I love thick necks! Now, wide nuts at 1 & 3/4" bother me and 1 & 5/8s" is my favorite.

I have many parts basses with Allparts P necks. 1 & 5/8s" nuts and .89 inches thick at the 1st fret. Yes, on the thick side. I LOVE ALLPARTS P NECKS!

I also have a real deal 1953 P Bass. The nut is in-between 1 & 3/4" and 1 & 5/8s" and the thickness is unreal @ about .93 of an inch at fret #1. LOVE IT!

"TO EACH HIS/HER OWN".....right?

Sorry to say but if I were you, I'd live the the '66's neck. I mean, what's the difference in thickness to the A, B, C necks? A 64th or 32nd of an inch?

Here's my CAR 1966 P.

 

[Mike Marshall]

I have a 66 currently and had 2 up to 10 years ago neither had a huge neck in fact they were more of a D neck with smaller frets and very comfortable, are you sure the neck is original. The necks are much slimmer than many 70's necks.

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

Please be bait.

 

[Matt O]

Ok, I’ll take the bait.

No.

 

[murphy]

It can be done.
I remember reading threads of people doing such things.
Own it

 

[leonard]

Man up.

 

[TomB]

Back in the Stone Age, Fender bass necks came in 3 widths: A, B & C, which roughly measured 1-1/2, 1-5/8, and 1-3/4 inches at the nut respectively (with some variations as they were finish-sanded by hand).
More recently I’ve seen a profusion of Fender guitar neck “shape” and thickness designations labeled things like C, D, soft D, V, and everyone’s favorite, “baseball bat” which I suppose is a C. This has led to the kind of confusion of terms that this thread brings to light. OP, it’s your neck, do what you like. …but you’ve been warned .

 

[Bill Whitehurst]

I own a 66 and I can tell you 2 things, for certain;
it might be wider than you like, but they aren't all that thick
and
you don't want to be carving on a vintage neck.
It's probably worth more than most basses.

 

[Stylee Mousse]

I played a ‘66 with the best neck I ever touched. But at $1900 it was too expensive.

Should have put it on layaway, sold plasma….

 

[Whale]

Thanks for all o the advice (and all of the good natured humor).

If I get the bass I’ll simply pick up a neck that is comfortable and maybe give a vintage appearance so that it matches the body.

 

[FugaziBomb]

Thanks for all o the advice (and all of the good natured humor).

If I get the bass I’ll simply pick up a neck that is comfortable and maybe give a vintage appearance so that it matches the body.

Even that is crazy to me for a pre CBS bass. It's not just the cavalierity of parting out an expensive antique, but also the fact that the bass has remained intact for 60 years through I'm assuming a variety of players just for somone to come along and change it.

I dunno, your money, your bass, but it seems ridiculous to me. No offense.

 

[Relsom]

I dunno, your money, your bass, but it seems ridiculous to me. No offense.

I agree. If the bass isn't to your liking, what's the point of the expense just to turn around and destroy its vintage value. Buy a good modern P-Bass and be done with it. Even a reissue.

 

[Mastermold]

I agree with not destroying a vintage neck. Either play it as is, buy a replacement neck but keep the original for resale value, or just buy something else. Plenty of players who would love an unmolested 66 and prefer vintage C necks.