Double Bass Thick vs thin neck

[turf3]

So, the general scuttlebutt seems to be that a particularly thin neck is not very good for double bass. The little experience I have had with basses with noticeably thinner necks than mine (which I think is probably kind of average) seems to bear out that the thin necks aren't as efficient.

So why is a thin neck always listed as such a good thing on electric bass? I think the finger spread for one finger per fret on EB is about the same as the finger spread for 1-2-4 double bass fingering. It seems that the same issue of too thin a neck actually making it harder to cover the spread would apply to electric as to upright.

I only play the most rudimentary electric bass, so maybe I'm missing something here.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

I agree that with DB too thin of a neck can be a problem. With BG, I just think it's a different animal because so much less force is required. What I do with the shoulder/elbow on the DB gets done with the wrist and a tiny amount of elbow on the BG. The strings are also so much looser and lower, and in my limited experience (especially recently) I don't see any real plus side to a thicker BG neck.

 

[Neil Pye]

I play both, and I'd say you're right on the money. Too thin a neck on a BG does make life difficult, but its a different order of magnitude because the force required is so much lower

 

[stefaniw80401]

Are we talking about neck width or thickness here?

 

[robobass]

Are we talking about neck width or thickness here?

We're talking thickness. Open your hand completely and stretch your fingers out as much as you can. Then slowly move your thumb in towards your palm and watch what happens.

 

[CallMeAl]

I think the scale length, string height and even the frets themselves make a difference; much less force required on EB.

Some players prefer the wider, thicker precision neck. I play differently on a jazz vs precision, even more so on a DB. granted im self taught, and only really play DB in bluegrass; but still i view them and play them differently.

Now as far as tone- EB relies on amps and preamps, so neck in relation to tone is an afterthought for most, IMO. But you could look at a wider/thicker EB neck as a way to generate better tone, before it even hits the pickup- then you can make a case for a bigger neck.

Dont know if i missed the point here....

 

[stefaniw80401]

Well I'm having a DB made for me and I'm considering having a narrowre neck then my current DB. I like the thickness and profile of my current DB neck.

 

[Cheez]

Has anyone here had a "too thick" double bass neck trimmed down?

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

Has anyone here had a "too thick" double bass neck trimmed down?

I do it on occasion. You have to be confident the wood is stiff enough to support it. A lot of Chinese basses won’t.

 

[bassmanbrent]

Has anyone here had a "too thick" double bass neck trimmed down?

I had it done to a bass a few years ago. The neck was originally pretty beefy, but also pretty square. Almost like a 2x2 with a fingerboard attached. It was a big improvement with no downside.

 

[notabene]

I have a German flat back I rebuilt from wreckage about 15 years ago. I made the neck quite thin at that time. It seemed most comfortable at the time. Having played a lot more bass since, , when I rebuilt a round back czech bass about about 5 years ago, I left the neck "fat". It is much easier on my hands now than the thin one is. I plan on eventually adding a non-tapered shim under the thin one's fingerboard. If it were I, I'd stick with a "fat" neck. Not for structural reasons, or sound, but for comfort of the left hand.

Steven

 

[bassedsouth]

My main player is a German with a thick neck , definitely a bit thicker than most thick necks . Somehow
its easier to nail the notes for me with a chunkier neck - its almost as if the neck pulls my hand into the optimum grip if that makes sense.I also somehow find it less fatiguing . I was not gifted with large hands but I do find that I have to watch my tuning more on my thin necked instruments

 

[Michael Glynn]

Has anyone here had a "too thick" double bass neck trimmed down?

I had mine thinned a bit recently. I had a new fingerboard put on a few years ago that added about 4-5mm to the overall thickness of the neck. Other players and luthiers agreed that it seemed well above average, so I had a luthier shave about 4mm off, which was agreed to leave plenty of maple in the neck.

Talking to a good luthier is the most important thing, as well as talking with other players/teachers if you don't have a ton of experience playing different basses to know what's "normal." A too-thin neck can warp, is not great for left hand technique, and could impact resale value. On the other hand, a too-thick neck that keeps your grip spread too wide can add a lot of tension to the left hand.

 

[stefaniw80401]

I'm more interested in discussing neck width than neck thickness.

 

[Fleo]

A too-thin neck can warp, is not great for left hand technique

I had mine reshaped, but a couple months later I have the impression it became more hollow due to lesser strength. Anyone experience with reinforcing the neck ? Does it alter the sound etc.?

 

[james condino]

Has anyone here had a "too thick" double bass neck trimmed down?

I've seen lots of "trimmer's remorse" over the years....

 

[Fleo]

I had mine reshaped

I meant the fingerboard BTW, due to which it became more hollow. Maybe the solution will be adding a new fingerboard.

 

[notabene]

I'm a rremorseful "trimmer".

 

[Sam Dingle]

I don't see any real plus side to a thicker BG neck.

My giant hands get too close together on thin necks and hurt. My jazz bass is as thin as I can go. Played an ibanez bass that felt like I was playing strings on paper. Blah.

 

[Steve Swan]

Thin neck: Sounds quiet and small, prematurely wrecks your hand.
Thicker neck: Sounds solid and louder, Keeps the left hand healthy.