Warmoth 2 + 2 neck on a jazz bass?

[philthygeezer]

Does it look weird? Advantages? Disadvantages?

 

[Ross W. Lovell]

Does it look weird? Advantages? Disadvantages?

Pictures possibly?

 

[CTBassGuy]

I have a PRS SE Kestrel (the one on the left) that is a J with a 2+2 headstock, similar to the Warmoth. I think it looks fine.

Although, I might be a bit biased...

 

[philthygeezer]

Pictures possibly?

Don’t have any. Haven’t been able to find any on a web search. Could do something in an image editor maybe.

 

[philthygeezer]

I have a PRS SE Kestrel (the one one the right) that is a J with a 2+2 headstock, similar to the Warmoth. I think it looks fine.

Although, I might be a bit biased...
View attachment 3181082

I agree. Looks coordinated to me.

 

[philthygeezer]

Do younthink Fender bodies might be too smooth looking for the headstock? Usually 2+2 headstocks go on edgier body carvings..?

 

[CTBassGuy]

Do younthink Fender bodies might be too smooth looking for the headstock? Usually 2+2 headstocks go on edgier body carvings..?

Again, I know I’m biased, but my Carvin is a classic P-style body, and I think it looks great.

It’s not typical, I’ll give you that, but if you wanted typical, we probably wouldn’t be having this conversation. Take a chance and go for it.

 

[philthygeezer]

Good point.

 

[TrustRod]

Yes, it looks weird because so many are 4 inline and we are used to that.

Advantages include slightly lighter weight and weight moved towards the body a bit reducing neck dive a smidge. It's shorter so you smack things less and it will fit in my odd gig bag that's a little short.

I much prefer a 2x2. And am working on a 3x2 now.

 

[RBrownBass]

Fender shapes and dimensions should have a flat inline HS (4, 4 + 1, 4 + 2, or 3 + 2 like Lakland), IMO. That PRS is not a traditional Fender-y shape. It derives from more... symmetrical instruments like Gibson, which is why it looks great with a 2 + 2.

There was a guy online someplace who had a Wal with the standard 2+2 neck but had a P-shaped body. I would have been proud to own it (hey, it was a Wal, after all), but I sure didn't like the way it looked.

 

[mbasile]

I think it is far too pointed to be paired with the curves of a FSO. I’m a graphic designer, though, so it is my job to be critical of such things.

 

[packhowitzer]

put one of these on your j body. it'll be a match made in heaven.

 

[jamro217]

Ampeg's Big Stud, Little Stud, and Ibanez Roadstar basses had Fender style bodies with 2+2 tuners. I thought they looked unique and a little odd, but it may have been due to the hard edges on the peghead shape.

 

[darwin-bass]

I had one. Loved the way it worked but wasn't thrilled with the look. I eventually swapped out the neck for an inline and it looked better but didn't work quite as well (weight and balance).

 

[darwin-bass]

Another advantage is the tilt back headstock producing even down pressure at the nut with straighter string pulls and smoother tuning. You don’t need a string tee which is additional weight savings.

 

[BAG]

I had one. Loved the way it worked but wasn't thrilled with the look. I eventually swapped out the neck for an inline and it looked better but didn't work quite as well (weight and balance).
View attachment 3181359

Looks fine to me and would have less dive than an in line four. I actually can't understand the reason for the in line four. To those that have a 2+2, do you have any dead spots?

 

[CTBassGuy]

...To those that have a 2+2, do you have any dead spots?

Of my 3, only my Carvin exhibits anything close; it tends to ring the harmonics at what would be the 5th fret on the G string.

I always attributed this to the fact the all 3 are neck-through rather than bolt on, but I suppose the shorter headstock is likely a contributing factor.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Does it look weird? Advantages? Disadvantages?

Yeah, it looks a little weird because we're used to seeing four inline on a jazz bass. Advantages would be a more compact bass, a bit less weight in the headstock. Disadvantages could be less headstock mass, could affect dead spot locations.

 

[basscapes]

I personally love the idea of a 2+2 headstock neck on a J body.

My issue is that I want a 24 fret, 2+2 neck on a scaled down J body!

 

[Jazz Ad]

Disadvantages could be less headstock mass, could affect dead spot locations.

On a design so prone to develop dead spots, affecting them can only be a good idea.