why do people call a skinny neck fast?

[el murdoque]

Aerodynamic properties increase its velocity when airborne. Less surface area = less drag.

I guess that when you fire both a skinny and a fat neck from a cannon, the skinny neck provides less drag and less lift, while the fat neck provides more drag and more lift. The skinny neck should reach a higher groundspeed, so it is the faster one.

 

[Wisebass]

.

Just wanted to make a point

fast

Wise(b)ass

 

[Tobiasfin]

I had a 1966 Hagstrom. The super thin and friendly neck was a breeze to play, making Zappa, Rush and King Crimson lines easier to play. The thinnest neck I've ever held was from a VOX teardrop bass, and it was, actually, too thin.

 

[andruca]

The qualities that make one player play faster on a certain neck will make other play slower so no absolute possible here. For me a skinny (front to back) neck, sharpest C possible, is vital as also is a non-glossy/sticky finish (I plain hate those). I've been used forever to my Stingray5s so a not too wide string spacing is important too, beyond 18mm it gets uncomfortable. Also, hand size is irrelevant, I have yeti hands (I can cover 11" with an open hand) and still can't stand a thick neck nor figure out why anybody would choose one other than masochism.

 

[chris_b]

Not really. That's the same as saying jumping over 8 feet is the same as jumping over 9 feet if your technique is good.

I think you're example would be more accurate describing 2 and 3 foot jumps.

 

[Joe Nerve]

I never heard anyone call a skinny neck a fast neck until this thread, and then again when I clicked back after not responding and saw the Stingray thread which is what I'm going to assume influenced this post .

Fast always meant low action to me, but people change the definitions of everything these days... so who knows.

Things mean whatever you want them to mean.

Says this fat girl.

While sitting on the swimming pool in my car.

 

[Gt6s]

I can fret just as fast on a p bass as a jazz?

I feel like skinnier necks are actually slower for me

Me too. Large individual with large hands.
Laurence

 

[Jay2U]

Sticky necks are slow, especially if they are so thick that your hands have to touch them.

 

[lbbc]

Skinny or thinner necks are more comfortable for me. Therefore they make more difficult passages or certain riffs easier to play...at least for me.

 

[Korladis]

I can fret just as fast on a p bass as a jazz?

I feel like skinnier necks are actually slower for me

People mean different things by "skinny" or "thin." Some are talking about side to side width, while others are talking about front to back depth.

 

[Phlipper]

Because they warp quicker!

Over many years I've seen far more warped fat Fender-style necks on the Ps and P/Js that I've borrowed or tried out in various stores than I have on the huge number of thin laminated Ibanez or ESP basses. It seems to me the way a neck is constructed makes it more susceptible than the physical diminsions.

 

[lfmn16]

Well, I guess because they base their expressions on how it works for most people and not you specifically.

Wait, are you saying it’s NOT all about me?????

 

[Marikk]

Fast has just become a lazy buzz word to stick in a ad. But i see where they are coming from. I like smaller necks, Fender Jazz, Geddy, Ibanez SR etc. I can adapt to a Precision 1.6X" after a bit of use and not notice a thing after but if i was trying basses back to back, The smaller neck would feel more at home and id be able to play it easier, "faster" and more comfortable to play for me. 1.5" i'm great, 1.6" i can adapt and be happy with a bit of playing, 1.75" is a lot less comfortable

YMMV of course

 

[6Bass101]

Thick, thin, wide, and narrow are all words that have a clear meaning, but are very subjective as well. To me a "skinny" neck would be one that is narrow AND thin.
Personally, I prefer a neck that is thin and wide. I feel it allows me to move around quickly without tripping over myself. So i think personal preference will determine what is "fast".

 

[Clef_de_fa]

most player wrap around the neck their hand so the bigger the neck the slower they become.

 

[fhm555]

I can play bigger necks as easy as i can smaller necks, but playing a bigger neck results in discomfort in my left hand after a couple of sets and real pain the next day after four sets.
I’m sure it’s my horrible technique as i’m entirely self taught in that area and i learned covering one fret per finger. As i age, and after surgery for entrapped nerves in my left elbow and wrist, i have been forced to drop back to only covering three frets on a Fender Jazz so i’ve been eyeing short scales as a way to help with the transition in adjusting my left hand technique.

 

[NeonVomit]

I play as fast on my baseball-bat-necked Warwick Thumb as I do on my slim & sleek Marleaux.

It's all about technique. Marleaux is less tiring though, but that might have something to do with the weight.

 

[Marikk]

i’ve been eyeing short scales as a way to help with the transition in adjusting my left hand technique.

Fortunately i don't think there has ever been a better time to be into short scales, They seem to be everywhere and at all price points

 

[RickyWoo]

It's just words. It doesn't mean you'll automatically play faster, it's just a descriptor. Even if a thinner (faster) neck slows you down, it's still called fast..... You would just say "The neck is too fast for me" if it wasn't to your liking. Just words.

At least, that's how I always perceived it. I can play much faster on a 4003 than I can on a Sound Gear. The neck is still considered fast on the Ibby. Definitely not on the Ric.

"Warm tone" doesn't make you want to take of your sweater either.

 

[pglaser01]

Lack of technique?

This would certainly be true in my case, if only in mine.

Self taught=likely bad technique=propensity for C shaped necks