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- Nov 6, 2012
- 954
- 246
- Disclosures
- Endorsing : Elixir Strings, Digitech , Eden Amplification
So another question for you all. Anyone here own a StingRay and a Wal? Is the Wal neck thicker or thinner than a StingRay? I'm trying to decide if I want to something custom for my neck. I would prefer a slightly slimmer profile than my StingRay.
Can you measure your neck? (say from 5th fret dot marker to high spot on the back?)
I've owned two dozen StingRays, and a bunch of Wals. All I can say is the necks on both brands varied greatly.
I've had Rays with thin and fat necks, same with the Wals.
The new Wals don't have a standard profile. Paul said he won't shape the neck until you specify what you want.
Yes, I still have my '78 Ray. The width at the nut is about the same ~1-5/8". From there the back profile varies; hard V, soft V, baseball bat, slim.
My new era MkII neck is very soft V with a nice slim rear. My former '00 Pete MkI had a hard V, but was even way skinnier, now I wish I hadn't sold it. When I get the next one built I want that same neck.
Any idea of what the dimensions on that neck were? That sounds like exactly what I'm looking for. My StingRay is really nice but I want my Wal to have a different neck. I tend to use chords in my bass parts quite a bit and the Ray wears me out at times.
Nope I don't.
But your neck will be different no matter what. A Wal neck is nothing like a StingRay neck.
The Stingray has no V shape at all and feels pretty flat, the 1990 MkI does but it's more slight than the 1982, but even then it's fairly subtle, very comfortable. All measurements were taken at the 5th fret marker.
1982 MkI
1990 MkI
1996 Stingray
1982 MkI
1990 MkI
1996 Stingray
I used a micrometer and a vernier for the comparison of my Wals with the SR
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
@ 5th dot marker
-1990 MKI 4 Black poly neck .901"
-2003 MKII 4 .853"
-2005 MKII 4 .833"
-1997 MKIII 5 .875" (2.160" wide neck)
-2001 EBMM SR 5 .866" (2.100" wide neck)
Both 5'ers also had the same FB radius @ 12"
I was actually quite surprised on how close the 2 5'ers necks were. (in feel and actual measurements) I havent played another Wal 5'er MKIII so i just have mine to compare to the SR.....My MKIII has no V to the neck, which in this case may have been a customer request.
My other Wals have the classic soft V to the neck profile. But all are very close in measurements.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
@ 5th dot marker
-1990 MKI 4 Black poly neck .901"
-2003 MKII 4 .853"
-2005 MKII 4 .833"
-1997 MKIII 5 .875" (2.160" wide neck)
-2001 EBMM SR 5 .866" (2.100" wide neck)
Both 5'ers also had the same FB radius @ 12"
I was actually quite surprised on how close the 2 5'ers necks were. (in feel and actual measurements) I havent played another Wal 5'er MKIII so i just have mine to compare to the SR.....My MKIII has no V to the neck, which in this case may have been a customer request.
My other Wals have the classic soft V to the neck profile. But all are very close in measurements.
You guys have all been a massive help, thanks for all the feedback and pictures. I think I'm just going to go with the V neck. With the neck being just a little less thick than "standard".
Not sure if PJ (Bass42) has a micrometer, but he has about 3 or so new (Paul) Wals, these measurements would give you Paul's "standard". I'm not sure how close it would be to Pete's , but I'm guessing close.
Also if you have hands on the large size (like me) I wouldn't go any skinner than .825" on neck thickness.
When are you ordering?...what are your facings and options that you will choose?
TMB
I actually placed my order and made my deposit last month, looks like 17 months for delivery. I'm getting a Mk 2 with American Walnut facings. I like the look of the walnut and the Mk 1 I played years ago had the same facings. From my recent e-mails with Paul he's no where near starting on my neck, which has given me time to decide what I want. When I saw V all I could think of is the really sharp classic "V" that they had on old Fenders. The ones that look like pyramids. If it's subtle then I won't have a problem with it. I've just noticed that some people are really divided in their opinions about the shape. TMB are all your 4's V shaped or is there a C amongst them like the 5 string?
