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Wenge Neck Club

#222
Not_Shane said:


Has anyone had the chance to try one of these yet?
They came out like, last year, and i havent seen a single video or picture after these few youtube videos about them.
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I have one…but my experience has been less than stellar, with no part being the fault of Mayones. After months of waiting FedEx delivered the bass in a big bag soaking wet. I should have never signed for it, but hard in the moment. Took weeks to get the neck how I wanted it and when I finally got to where I was enjoying playing it, it developed electronic issues. It sits in its case now, until I eventually want to spend the money to get it to a shop. Seems like a great bass, maybe I’ll get it right one day and play it again.
 
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#223
NOLA Bass said:
Curious how you find any tonal differences with that wenge neck on a "traditional" P bass (I know it is a PJ). I've had multiple wenge necks, but never on a P or J bass.
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SharpCat said:
I don't think I can answer for this bass yet. For my other jazz bass with the Chinese wenge neck, I would describe it as more articulate. The lows and highs are all still there, but seem more distinct. Hard to describe.
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This bass isn't the same as the Jazz I mentioned. Not sure why it's different, but it does seem like the new neck is very stiff. Maybe higher density would be a better description. In any case, it sounds like a much more fundamental tone to me with lowered harmonics. How much is the wenge neck and how much the ebony board? Dunno. Much more likely to roll over to the bridge pickup on this than on the Jazz.

I've got Fender 9050Ls on it. Might have to experiment with other strings. EB Cobalt flats maybe.
 
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#224
SharpCat said:
Well, I finally sprung for a wenge Warmoth neck as a Christmas present to myself.

Neck is wenge shaft, slim taper, with ebony board. I ordered it with pearloid dots, but they sent it with pearloid blocks. Oh Well! :laugh: Side dots are luminlay, and it is quartersawn. It's truly an amazing neck.

I thought about bolting it onto a vintage maple body I have to create the Maple n Black club as arch enemies of the Black n Maple club. But, nah, those guys are great.

This body is a Fender Mod Shop PJ in Olympic Pearl, with Fralin pickup set.

View attachment 7423534View attachment 7423535View attachment 7423536
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I love the block inlays. They look the best IMO. I was hesitating, but when I saw your one, I had to pull the trigger! I'll be taking mine to my luthier in the next few weeks (he's 2.5 hours away) and he'll be installing abalone/paua inlays on my p-bass.

20251001_155722.jpg
 
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#226
NOLA Bass said:
Curious how you find any tonal differences with that wenge neck on a "traditional" P bass (I know it is a PJ). I've had multiple wenge necks, but never on a P or J bass.
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As @SharpCat mentioned, it's a hard one to call. Personally, I think it's more of a combination of pickups, strings & wood (body & neck). My P-bass sounds pretty dark with 80's Barts, GHS Precision Flats & wenge neck, but it still has some attack when digging in and articulation. In my picture in my last post, (before I installed the Barts) I'm installing the DiMarzio Relentless Middle & DiMarzio p-bass harness again soon with the 500k volume pot to give it a little more zing up top. The Relentless Middle is heavy down low, so a little bit up top will only add extra sparkle if needed.
 
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#230
I've come to the conclusion that the Fender 9050L strings I use most of the time don't get on with the new wenge neck PJ. Specifically the D and G are not thrilling me--sorta thin sounding. Dunno if it's the string or the neck, but hoping strings. Any suggestions for flats that sound specifically good on wenge? Probably not Chromes or EBCFs--they're similar to 9050s. Might try group III's if no one has another suggestion that grabs me. TIA for suggestions!

If it makes a difference to your suggestions, neck is Warmoth wenge P, ebony fretboard. Body is Fender USA alder PJ with string thru and Fralin stock pickups.
 
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#231
SharpCat said:
I've come to the conclusion that the Fender 9050L strings I use most of the time don't get on with the new wenge neck PJ. Specifically the D and G are not thrilling me--sorta thin sounding. Dunno if it's the string or the neck, but hoping strings. Any suggestions for flats that sound specifically good on wenge? Probably not Chromes or EBCFs--they're similar to 9050s. Might try group III's if no one has another suggestion that grabs me. TIA for suggestions!

If it makes a difference to your suggestions, neck is Warmoth wenge P, ebony fretboard. Body is Fender USA alder PJ with string thru and Fralin stock pickups.
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I agree. I had those on my wenge necks and removed them. I like GHS Precision and Dunlop flats with my wenge necks.
 
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#232
SharpCat said:
I've come to the conclusion that the Fender 9050L strings I use most of the time don't get on with the new wenge neck PJ. Specifically the D and G are not thrilling me--sorta thin sounding. Dunno if it's the string or the neck, but hoping strings. Any suggestions for flats that sound specifically good on wenge? Probably not Chromes or EBCFs--they're similar to 9050s. Might try group III's if no one has another suggestion that grabs me. TIA for suggestions!

If it makes a difference to your suggestions, neck is Warmoth wenge P, ebony fretboard. Body is Fender USA alder PJ with string thru and Fralin stock pickups.
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And I only use Chromes 45-100 when the pickups are Squier/Fender. I found the chromes bring the standard Squier/Fender pickups (that everyone replaces) to life.

I had the Squier Sonic Precision and removed the standard strings and replaced with chromes and "Wow", they sounded great. I was actually very reluctant to change out the pickups; I thought it sounded that good.
 
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#233
SharpCat said:
Any suggestions for flats that sound specifically good on wenge?
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TI Flats are what I have on my wenge necked bass. They sound great. If you don't get on with low tension, don't bother, they are a different thing altogether. But if you can get used to them, I've found that my touch is much better, particularly when I come back to higher tension strings.
 
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#238
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