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Sting / '51 / Tele necks - advice sought

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Friendly_Ghost, Jul 4, 2008.

  1. Jul 4, 2008 #1
    Friendly_Ghost

    Friendly_Ghost

    Feb 16, 2008
    Hi All,

    I have a Sting and a Jaguar, and over a few months I've found that the Jag has become my preferred bass. I love them both, but the difference in necks is really quite pronounced and the Jag is just one hell of a lot easier and better for my weary left hand!

    After a half-hour practice session which left the hand sore and tired, I reluctantly decided to go on an expedition. I have a rule that says only two basses owned at any one time, and I'll admit to some sneaky GAS-related excitement as I trawled the local shops :)

    However, I found nothing that I liked more than good old Sting at anything like the money I'd expect to raise, so now I'm looking at a re-necking job instead.

    I had to get a neck for a '51 body a few years ago, and plumped for the AllParts TBMO. Nitro-finished, it was a flipping good neck and brilliant value! I also felt it was far slimmer than the Sting, but a little research has revealed that they have the same nut width.

    What other factors affect the thin- or thickness of a neck? The Fender website reveals that the Sting has a "thick C neck" and the Jag a "thin C neck", but that's about it. I'd swear the TBMO came about halfway between and if so it'd be a good inexpensive solution.

    However, my memory could just be playing tricks, so I'm hoping to tap into the collective wealth of knowledge (we seem particularly blessed in the '51 and Sting areas!). It'd be a real disappointment to order one based on unreliable recollections and basically find I'd swapped a first-class but too fat neck for something the same size or not much thinner!

    If anyone can help, I'd be very grateful!
     
  2. Jul 4, 2008 #2
    mongo2

    mongo2

    Feb 17, 2008
    Da Shaw
    I once recarved a hefty '51 RI P neck to thinner J bass dimensions in both nut width and profile shape and it worked out pretty good.

    Not saying that's what you should do but that's what I did.
     
  3. Jul 4, 2008 #3
    Friendly_Ghost

    Friendly_Ghost

    Feb 16, 2008
    Thanks - that thought had crossed my mind, but would it mean I'd have to re-fret? If so, I'd stick bigger ones in there and maybe even get rid of the Sting-lay once and for all :bag:

    Actually, I guess an intelligent approach might be to take a bit off the thickness and see if that helped, and then tackle the width if still needed. I wondered if it might weaken the neck too, but there are plenty of Jazz necks out there that suggest not to any degree that I'd have to worry about.

    Might give the luthier a call ...

    Thanks again!
     
  4. Jul 4, 2008 #4
    mongo2

    mongo2

    Feb 17, 2008
    Da Shaw
    I didn't have to refret since none of the work was on the fingerboard. However I did have to file and polish fret ends.

    I agree about the J necks but the funny thing is that now (over 15 years later) I find that one of my favorite necks is a big fat Allparts neck.
     
  5. Jul 4, 2008 #5
    Orpheus55

    Orpheus55

    Nov 7, 2006
    Punta Gorda FL
    I also have a Sting and Jaguar bass, which I alternate. I like the change of pace in the neck-width, though not in the same night. I play them as much for their looks (I modded the Sting with pickup and bridge covers, a Duncan single coil pickup, and a black pickguard); their sounds are both amazing, and I love the feel of each.
     
  6. Jul 4, 2008 #6
    lpdeluxe

    lpdeluxe Still rockin'

    Nov 22, 2004
    Deep E Texas
    The Sting will have a squared-off butt end (and corresponding neck pocket) while replacement necks will have the rounded butt. I noticed on Warmoth's website that they say they can't supply a square-end neck (I assume their slab bodies are routed for the rounded type).

    That may give you difficulties in fitting a replacement.
     
  7. Jul 4, 2008 #7
    mongo2

    mongo2

    Feb 17, 2008
    Da Shaw
    While it's true about the availability of necks with squared ends, I've never had any problems fitting a neck with a rounded end into a squared-end neck pocket.

    When using a rounded end neck in a square neck pocket there will be a small gap at the corners of the neck pocket but it's not realy noticeaable 10 feet away, and if you use a neck with an extended fingerboard like Warmoth uses, then it's not visable at all.
     
  8. Jul 5, 2008 #8
    Ten Four One

    Ten Four One

    Dec 5, 2006
    3 basic nut widths from smallest to largets:

    Jazz
    Musicman
    Precision

    See this page for different back shapes. On Warmoth these options are only available for guitars, but this page still has a great explanation.

    http://www.warmoth.com/guitar/necks/necks.cfm?fuseaction=back_profiles

    Warmoth doesn't (any longer) give the traditional Fender names for them. C and V shapes describe the back of the neck - C is rounded, V comes to a bit of a point by the skunk stripe.

    Necks_small.jpg

    USACG uses the traditional names.

    http://www.usacustomguitars.com/contours.html
     
  9. Jul 5, 2008 #9
    Friendly_Ghost

    Friendly_Ghost

    Feb 16, 2008
    Thanks all!

    I sahll be calling my luthier Monday, because what I'd really love is to keep the neck I have, but just a little thinner. All feelings of GAS have passed and I'm back in luv :hyper:
     
  10. Jul 5, 2008 #10
    J.D.B.

    J.D.B.

    Mar 11, 2007
    Michigan
    I have found that the thickness front-to-rear has at least as much to do with comfort on the board as nut width. I usually like a jazz neck on the "thin C" side. I have an Eastwood with a wide P-like board but it's thinner front-to-rear and as easy as a jazz for me to play on. Maybe just have yer luthier bring down the profile in that direction, rather than doing the whole neck over?
    Josh