Thin Necks

[HELLonWHEELS]

Its about time for me to get a new bass. I really like thin necks, the thinner the better. I'm looking for a fretted 4 or 5 string. I'm currently leaning towards a Bongo 5 HH. My price is range is give or take $1600. Thanks

Brandon

 

[Booneman]

Its about time for me to get a new bass. I really like thin necks, the thinner the better. I'm looking for a fretted 4 or 5 string. I'm currently leaning towards a Bongo 5 HH. My price is range is give or take $1600. Thanks

Check out the Peavey Cirrus, they have ultra thin necks. They are also neck through body, and they have great pickups.

 

[FrizzleFry]

You might want to look at Ibanez BTB four string, they have super thin necks aswell.

 

[jtlee]

You might want to clarify "thin neck".
Thin from front to back (depth)?
Skinny at the nut?
Narrow at the heel?

You also might want to add your preferred scale length, bridge spacing, aesthetics, etc.

FWIW, I love thin necks too and nothing can touch my Zon Sonus 5 in terms of sheer speed. And if you pick up a used one, they're in your price range. You might want to try some different neck profiles...sometimes thinner doesn't mean that the neck is faster. I have a Status Energy that has a pretty beefy neck, but it has a very flat back and it plays very fast because of it. I also have a Tobias with an asymmetrical neck that looks fat but plays fast, especially in the upper register.

If you're looking for a Fender type 4, get a Geddy Lee...hands down the best Jazz neck I've ever played. If you're going Musicman, the Sterling has the thinnest neck of the bunch. Or if you want something in between, a used Lakland 4-94.

Given your location near "Guitar Row", I'm sure you can find something.

 

[vtwo]

+1 on the Fender Geddy...

My thin Ibby neck is starting to cramp my hand (darn jazz bass) but the Geddy neck is like... so thin that it's comfortable? Probably has to do with the width side-to-side. My friend has one... good choice in his behalf.

 

[Gyoon]

I had a Geddy with a thin neck and it never managed to adjust with a little relief. There was always a lot of up bow on the neck with a standard 45-105 gauge set. A lesser known fact about Geddy Lee jazzes is that the truss rod is a pretty flimsy deal, just like the ones they used to install in the 70's.

Having said that, my dream Fender jazz would be a Geddy Lee bass with a quartersawn one piece neck and a modern truss rod. That neck is gold.

Glenn

 

[nad]

If you're looking at Ernie Ball Music Man, definitely get a Sterling. Superthin neck that is very playable.

Personally I like jazz necks the best right now, but my Sterling is still amazing.

 

[Descent2Cocytus]

spectors have REALLy thin necks, thinner than most ibanez basses i've played, IMO.

 

[HELLonWHEELS]

You might want to clarify "thin neck".
Thin from front to back (depth)?
Skinny at the nut?
Narrow at the heel?

You also might want to add your preferred scale length, bridge spacing, aesthetics, etc.

FWIW, I love thin necks too and nothing can touch my Zon Sonus 5 in terms of sheer speed. And if you pick up a used one, they're in your price range. You might want to try some different neck profiles...sometimes thinner doesn't mean that the neck is faster. I have a Status Energy that has a pretty beefy neck, but it has a very flat back and it plays very fast because of it. I also have a Tobias with an asymmetrical neck that looks fat but plays fast, especially in the upper register.

If you're looking for a Fender type 4, get a Geddy Lee...hands down the best Jazz neck I've ever played. If you're going Musicman, the Sterling has the thinnest neck of the bunch. Or if you want something in between, a used Lakland 4-94.

Given your location near "Guitar Row", I'm sure you can find something.

As for neck I mean thickness. I like asymmetrical necks just like your Zon Sonus (i have only played one in the past).

I prefer 34" scale with 16-18mm spacing 19 and beyond is pushing for me.

I think I'm going to with a bongo, i like it more than the sterling tonally. I got 2 more shops to go to( i was at sunset today were i saw a Warrior at Sam Ash) and if nothing really catches my eye, bongo it is.

 

[jtlee]

Yeah, you're pref's are basically the same as mine. Got short fingers?

Bongos sound/play great, and I know you're young so you probably dig the funky look of it, but unless you're playing whacked out space music (ala Claypools side projects) or you're the new bass player for Devo, your band will HATE you for getting that bass. :scowl:

No love for the SR5 HH?

As for neck I mean thickness. I like asymmetrical necks just like your Zon Sonus (i have only played one in the past).

I prefer 34" scale with 16-18mm spacing 19 and beyond is pushing for me.

I think I'm going to with a bongo, i like it more than the sterling tonally. I got 2 more shops to go to( i was at sunset today were i saw a Warrior at Sam Ash) and if nothing really catches my eye, bongo it is.

 

[dblbass]

Check out the victor bailey jazz bass. Its got a reall thin neck great tone, active and a great koa top on it. I got mine for 1350 so its right near your price range (musicians friend is a bit higher). Also you can get it in either a 4 string fretted or fretless or a 5 string. Heres a link for it.


Link Removed

 

[Human Bass]

Yeah, you're pref's are basically the same as mine. Got short fingers?

Bongos sound/play great, and I know you're young so you probably dig the funky look of it, but unless you're playing whacked out space music (ala Claypools side projects) or you're the new bass player for Devo, your band will HATE you for getting that bass. :scowl:

No love for the SR5 HH?

I dont think so...Bongo is odd looking but not very weird at all. The bassist of Shaaman, a big national metal band, plays a bongo 5 and i still have to see anyone pointing at his bass and saying "thats weird,LOL"

 

[HELLonWHEELS]

Yeah, you're pref's are basically the same as mine. Got short fingers?

Bongos sound/play great, and I know you're young so you probably dig the funky look of it, but unless you're playing whacked out space music (ala Claypools side projects) or you're the new bass player for Devo, your band will HATE you for getting that bass. :scowl:

No love for the SR5 HH?

I don't think my hands are the short I think i just dig thin necks. I feel like I have more "control" and precision when playing. The look is on the weird side which isn't a turn off for me.

The i have never played an SR5 HH but the single H is a beast. That thing is so easy to play. The problem is that everything sounds like a stingray. There isn't enough versatility in the Stingray for.


I really like the Fender Jazz necks but i can't deal with the electronics and don't want to hassle with the changing something on the bass right off the bat. I haven't played the Baily so I will definitely give it a shot if i can find one.

 

[jtlee]

Yes it is stupid, but unfortunately, it's reality. Keep in mind the guy is in LA...bands are VERY image conscious, everyone from the punkers (Fender or Musicman only) to the session cats (Fender or Musicman only).

I'm not knocking the Bongo as a bass, I'm just giving him forewarning on what potential band members will say/think. Then again, this is TB and he'll probably sell it within a few months to get something else (or additional).

Man, will all due respect, but this "Bongo is odd looking, so you only play one in some weird project" talking is very,very stupid.

 

[HELLonWHEELS]

Yes it is stupid, but unfortunately, it's reality. Keep in mind the guy is in LA...bands are VERY image conscious, everyone from the punkers (Fender or Musicman only) to the session cats (Fender or Musicman only).

I'm not knocking the Bongo as a bass, I'm just giving him forewarning on what potential band members will say/think. Then again, this is TB and he'll probably sell it within a few months to get something else (or additional).

I got my Squier for gig duties(I'm not in a band right now). A lot people in Los Angeles are very pretentious. I re-painted over the headstock of my Sqiuer for that reason(and because there were a **** load of dings that didn't match the body). The Squier by all means doesn't sound bad, but it just doesn't have versatility or that playability to take my bass playing to the next level.

 

[jtlee]

That's cool, I just wondered because I have fairly short fingers, which is why I prefer thinner necks/shorter scales.

The SR5 HH is a whole different animal...tons of tones. A lot less room for slapping though if you're into that. But it will be one of those basses that you'll always dig...just a simple, elegant design that still looks "ballsy".

I'm about to convert my 94 SR5 into an HS (Basslines in the back/Dimarzio Ultra J in the front). Upgrade to a 5-way switch.
Possibly and Audere or Aguilar pre. Maybe I'll have it done by the LA GTG...if it ever happens. You hear that Mark???

The Victor Bailey is awesome, but I think the Koa Fender uses looks cheap as heck. And I despise gold hardware, but that's just me. I've basically given up on Fenders since it's such a QC crapshoot between basses, even in the same model. But the Geddy...the three I've had (with different electronics) were awesome. All the CIJ's I've tried have been, for the most part, better than the MIA's I've tried lately.

I don't think my hands are the short I think i just dig thin necks. I feel like I have more "control" and precision when playing. The look is on the weird side which isn't a turn off for me.

The i have never played an SR5 HH but the single H is a beast. That thing is so easy to play. The problem is that everything sounds like a stingray. There isn't enough versatility in the Stingray for.


I really like the Fender Jazz necks but i can't deal with the electronics and don't want to hassle with the changing something on the bass right off the bat. I haven't played the Baily so I will definitely give it a shot if i can find one.

 

[HELLonWHEELS]

I don't really have to many option here any way

EBMM bongo 5

Zon Sonus 5(if i can find one)

Fender Jazz (vintage although Baily may be tempting but i do think gold hardware is tacky for the most part)

Spector ????

 

[JanusZarate]

What about Schecter Stiletto basses? They have very slim necks, and play fast!

If you consider Schecter, look into the Elite series and Studio series basses - the top-of-the-line Stiletto models. Given that they're well under your budget, It may not be a bad idea to upgrade the pickups while you're at it, in case you're not satisfied with the EMG-HZ tone.

Plus, Stilettos always look good on stage

 

[jtlee]

I think all Schecter Stilettos are 35" scale. I've tried two myself and thought the necks were actually pretty fat!

BTW, I actually think EMG HZ's sound great with the right preamp (or just passive).

What about Schecter Stiletto basses? They have very slim necks, and play fast!

If you consider Schecter, look into the Elite series and Studio series basses - the top-of-the-line Stiletto models. Given that they're well under your budget, It may not be a bad idea to upgrade the pickups while you're at it, in case you're not satisfied with the EMG-HZ tone.

Plus, Stilettos always look good on stage

 

[JanusZarate]

I think all Schecter Stilettos are 35" scale. I've tried two myself and thought the necks were actually pretty fat!

Nope... all four-string Stilettos are 34", and the five-string ones are 35".

BTW, I actually think EMG HZ's sound great with the right preamp (or just passive).

+1 to that... I just found myself gravitating towards a different tone, so I changed them out for an P4 and a DC.