Truly custom neck (not select from options ala Warmoth)?

[Keither]

So I'm putting a jazz bass together and looking to have a neck made.
Warmoth only offers truss rod access at the headstock and no option for partial lines on fretless or "v" shaped profile. Also somehow an uncut "paddle" headstock is an up charge. A very compact 2x2 tilt back headstock for balance because the body I have is just under 4lbs.

Also looked at usaguitars.com and byoguitars... Almost went with Warmoth but I couldn't justify settling AND paying north of $500.

Any suggestions are appreciated!

 

[Michedelic]

So I'm putting a jazz bass together and looking to have a neck made.
Warmoth only offers truss rod access at the headstock and no option for partial lines on fretless or "v" shaped profile. Also somehow an uncut "paddle" headstock is an up charge. A very compact 2x2 tilt back headstock for balance because the body I have is just under 4lbs.

Also looked at usaguitars.com and byoguitars... Almost went with Warmoth but I couldn't justify settling AND paying north of $500.

Any suggestions are appreciated!

This is a longshot, I don’t know if they could do any customization, but contact Eden, they’re just east of LA…
Allen Eden Guitars | Bodies Necks Accessories Parts Amp Effects Pedals

Also in the general area, in North Hollywood, is this place…

Amp Shop Bass Exchange – BUY REPAIR TRADE MUSIC GEAR

www.ampshopbassexchange.com

I don’t know if they have or could make anything for you, but they could be a source of information. If you get the Russian(?)guy on the phone, be prepared, he’s a trip.

I have had no experience, but what about the Temu-related guitar builders?

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

Musikraft has all of that, including a V shape I think.

 

[Sjobi 1]

Hit up Andrew Drake at Drake Custom basses. He’s almost done with a custom neck for one of my basses. His prices are very reasonable and his work is absolutely top notch. You’ll probably need to send him the body.

 

[BTL]

Parklane might be a good option: Parklane Guitars / Custom Replacement Guitar Necks / Guitars

 

[SharpCat]

Freestone Guitars

 

[Beej]

If you can find an unlined fretless neck with a C profile, maybe consider modifying it to meet your needs? Partial lines can be added in situ - a bit of a pain, but doable. A shaped headstock can be cut into a 'V' shape at the end and new wings can be glued on to give you a paddle. Veneers front and back will hide the work. A heavy C neck profile can easily have the sides shaved back to give you a V profile without breaking into the truss-rod cavity.

All of these have been done right here in the luthier's corner in the last 5-7 years.

 

[Keither]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. I appologize for not being more specific in the OP. So heres a proper essay!
Somehow it seems all of the aftermarket replacement manufactures are only offering 4 per-side tuners or they aren't offering ebony fingerboards and heel truss rod adj.
I plan to call Drake tomorrow.


Beej- I've re-profiled 7 or 8 necks and assumed I'd have to scrape the shoulders off. However I was also wanting carbon fibre stiffening rods so I'm a little apprehensive.

Still I've been looking into it.
BYOguitars did send me the routing specs. -
"The center of the carbon fiber slot is .32" from the center. The rod is .125" wide, so the outside is .38 from the center line of the neck. The slots are .375" deep."
Now that SOUNDS doable to me but I'm NOT a luthier. Just very patient and have a calliper & card scraper

I don't think I've seen another electric bass neck with a "v" profile besides the two I re-carved neither had stiffening rods so maybe I don't need that.
I've defretted several necks so I could probably do the partial lines or confidently inlay 1mm toothpick dots into an ebony fingerboard.

It looks like I'm looking for a 2 1/2" fender neck heel w/ truss rod adjustment,
carbon fiber rods (if possible with "V" profile),
ebony fingerboard,
38mm nut,
2x2 tuners inline w/ string path
(plan to use Gotoh resolite)
on a minimal size headstock about 4-5" long.
To balance the 3.15lb. body and avoid hitting people and things it on tight stages. I love the look of a fender style headstock but I just beat them up.

 

[primussucks9126]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. I appologize for not being more specific in the OP. So heres a proper essay!
Somehow it seems all of the aftermarket replacement manufactures are only offering 4 per-side tuners or they aren't offering ebony fingerboards and heel truss rod adj.
I plan to call Drake tomorrow.


Beej- I've re-profiled 7 or 8 necks and assumed I'd have to scrape the shoulders off. However I was also wanting carbon fibre stiffening rods so I'm a little apprehensive.

Still I've been looking into it.
BYOguitars did send me the routing specs. -
"The center of the carbon fiber slot is .32" from the center. The rod is .125" wide, so the outside is .38 from the center line of the neck. The slots are .375" deep."
Now that SOUNDS doable to me but I'm NOT a luthier. Just very patient and have a calliper & card scraper

I don't think I've seen another electric bass neck with a "v" profile besides the two I re-carved neither had stiffening rods so maybe I don't need that.
I've defretted several necks so I could probably do the partial lines or confidently inlay 1mm toothpick dots into an ebony fingerboard.

It looks like I'm looking for a 2 1/2" fender neck heel w/ truss rod adjustment,
carbon fiber rods (if possible with "V" profile),
ebony fingerboard,
38mm nut,
2x2 tuners inline w/ string path
(plan to use Gotoh resolite)
on a minimal size headstock about 4-5" long.
To balance the 3.15lb. body and avoid hitting people and things it on tight stages. I love the look of a fender style headstock but I just beat them up.

Couldn't you do a Warmoth paddle headstock and skip the tiltback construction? I believe it's only the tiltback models that have the headstock truss rod adjustment. My regular Warmoth necks have it at the heel. It seems to me all of your other boxes are checked.

A roasted maple/ebony straight paddle neck with carbon fiber rods, standard profile (thick enough to reshape), unlined board (or fret slots pre cut so can partially fill with contrasting color) comes to 375 and require no finish. Regular maple takes it down to 320 if you're comfortable doing a finish of some sort on your own.

 

[Keither]

thanks primussucks9126-
I didn't know Warmoth did truss rods from the heel on non tilt back headstocks. Looks like the thing to do.
I'll just french polish the neck to match the body. The body is about half way through being shellac polished.

 

[micguy]

So I'm putting a jazz bass together and looking to have a neck made.
Warmoth only offers truss rod access at the headstock and no option for partial lines on fretless or "v" shaped profile. Also somehow an uncut "paddle" headstock is an up charge. A very compact 2x2 tilt back headstock for balance because the body I have is just under 4lbs.

Also looked at usaguitars.com and byoguitars... Almost went with Warmoth but I couldn't justify settling AND paying north of $500.

Any suggestions are appreciated!

I have built a couple dozen basses with Warmoth wood. Most of the bodies I've worked with are under 4 pounds - I have a bunch of 5 string basses with 3.25 pound bodies that balance just fine. If you use light weight tuners (and don't get steel reinforcement rods), a bass with a top horn to the 12th fret will balance just fine with a 3.25 pound body, even with 5 tuners and a thick 5 string neck. With a 4 pound body, and only 4 strings, as long as you use light tuners, you don't need an especially small headstock to balance - even with a big old Fender shape headstock, it'll balance just fine. I know, I've done that multiple times.

Warmoth necks are more expensive, but in the long run they are well worth it. With stainless frets, they should last a lifetime.

 

[Beej]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. I appologize for not being more specific in the OP. So heres a proper essay!
Somehow it seems all of the aftermarket replacement manufactures are only offering 4 per-side tuners or they aren't offering ebony fingerboards and heel truss rod adj.
I plan to call Drake tomorrow.


Beej- I've re-profiled 7 or 8 necks and assumed I'd have to scrape the shoulders off. However I was also wanting carbon fibre stiffening rods so I'm a little apprehensive.

Still I've been looking into it.
BYOguitars did send me the routing specs. -
"The center of the carbon fiber slot is .32" from the center. The rod is .125" wide, so the outside is .38 from the center line of the neck. The slots are .375" deep."
Now that SOUNDS doable to me but I'm NOT a luthier. Just very patient and have a calliper & card scraper

I don't think I've seen another electric bass neck with a "v" profile besides the two I re-carved neither had stiffening rods so maybe I don't need that.
I've defretted several necks so I could probably do the partial lines or confidently inlay 1mm toothpick dots into an ebony fingerboard.

It looks like I'm looking for a 2 1/2" fender neck heel w/ truss rod adjustment,
carbon fiber rods (if possible with "V" profile),
ebony fingerboard,
38mm nut,
2x2 tuners inline w/ string path
(plan to use Gotoh resolite)
on a minimal size headstock about 4-5" long.
To balance the 3.15lb. body and avoid hitting people and things it on tight stages. I love the look of a fender style headstock but I just beat them up.

Side note on the V profile - Rick Toone has patented the V neck profile, and is litigious. I suspect this is one of the reasons we don't see them widely commercially available.

 

[Keither]

I have built a couple dozen basses with Warmoth wood. Most of the bodies I've worked with are under 4 pounds - I have a bunch of 5 string basses with 3.25 pound bodies that balance just fine. If you use light weight tuners (and don't get steel reinforcement rods), a bass with a top horn to the 12th fret will balance just fine with a 3.25 pound body, even with 5 tuners and a thick 5 string neck. With a 4 pound body, and only 4 strings, as long as you use light tuners, you don't need an especially small headstock to balance - even with a big old Fender shape headstock, it'll balance just fine. I know, I've done that multiple times.

Warmoth necks are more expensive, but in the long run they are well worth it. With stainless frets, they should last a lifetime.

Thank you, thats very reassuring.

 

[Keither]

Side note on the V profile - Rick Toone has patented the V neck profile, and is litigious. I suspect this is one of the reasons we don't see them widely commercially available.

Ok, that explains why only electric basses aren't ever made that way. Upright basses commonly have V profile and occasionally guitars.
My friend has a G&L strat and telecaster pair both with hard V profile.

 

[13ghosts]

Side note on the V profile - Rick Toone has patented the V neck profile, and is litigious. I suspect this is one of the reasons we don't see them widely commercially available.

Did he patent the V-profile or the trapezoidal profile? I couldn't find anything about the V-profile. His patent for the trapezoidal profile seems to have expired. It's crazy that you can patent things like that.
Strandberg's related patent has also expired.

USD630676S1 - Guitar neck - Google Patents

US20130186254A1 - Ergonomic neck for stringed instrument - Google Patents

A neck construction for a stringed instrument such as a guitar has an asymmetric, preferably trapezoidal, profile of the neck. The asymmetry is opposite at the distal end, depicted in FIG. 9, and proximal end, depicted in FIG. 10. As the musician plays the instrument, the hand will move...

patents.google.com

 

[Bonkersville]

To me the Toone patent is quite interesting. I am definitely not an expert on patents, but it seems that the neck shape is patented as an ornamental feature. Nothing more. Just something to feast ones eyes upon.

Now when we look at Toone designs the look is always a factor. And as to compliment this, the patent makes no claims on ergonomics, playability and whatnot. The patent document is also maybe the shortest I've seen yet. I would not have believed there's a chance to pull that one off. And why would someone ever do that? That part is the last part on a guitar meant for a pleasant viewing experience.

Yeah, I would've been wrong. Again.