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Wider than a J, thinner than a P: 1+9/16" necks

Ricky Rioli

Ricky Rioli

Sep 29, 2020
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#1
40mm is within 1% of 1+9/16" (1.5625")

I saw that the specs for all the 4-strings in the current Yamaha BB range give 40mm for the nut. They also use that for the TRBX204 and TRBX174 (which like the BBs are PJs)

I think I remember seeing 1+11/16" given as a nut width (early G&L iirc?) but I'm not sure I've spotted 1+9/16" ... yet ... :help:

Presumably there must be other Far East or European basses at this size, since 40mm is such a nice round number?

The letter in the alphabet exactly midway between J and P is M, so I suggest these be called M-necks :whistle:

PS yes I have tried to find a thread on this subject, no I didn't get anywhere, yes I would be grateful for a link, no I'm not searching again
 
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#2
The first brandy spankin' new bass I got for myself many moons ago was a Korean Spector NS-94; neck thru construction, EMG Hz humbuckers, and a wonderful neck with that 1 9/16" width. That instrument altered my bass-playing DNA forever and I truly believe that as long as the "depth" of the neck under the fingerboard is also reasonable, that neck width is forever home-sweet-home for me.

For a lot of years I played a J-bass with a Warmoth neck. I ordered that neck as a replacement for a wider Warmoth P-neck that was on the instrument when I bought it. The new J-neck was pretty chunky and comfortable for me despite its 1 1/2" nut width. It widened substantially up toward the heel and I had a nut made for it that pretty much max'ed out the string spacing in the lower registers. I've never sampled another Jazz style neck with the 1 1/2" nut width that was anywhere as decent a fit for me as that one. Yes, more than one or two other J-basses have come and gone for me.

So then there's Sandberg. While their 4-string necks on their German builds aren't 40mm, they are 39.5mm and the reviews seem to agree that they are super comfortable despite being slightly more roomy than a traditional Jazz neck. I've been off-and-on GAS'ing for one of their instruments for about a year - one of their German models.

I did pick up one of Sanberg's Electra TT's when I found a nice deal online; Jazz copy, bass/treble preamp, active/passive. Darn nice build, but their website originally listed the nut width on those models as having the same 39.5mm width as their others. Not the case - 37mm is the nut width on their Electra 4-strings. Not long after I bought that bass, I looked back at their website and the spec was changed to the correct measurement. No, I didn't gripe to them in an email, but it was a bit of a turnoff because I couldn't return the bass. So one more J that came and went...

Ned Steinberg seems to still be a fan of that in between neck width. The NS Design CR4 is listed as having a 1.60" nut width. I'm afraid to try one of those instruments... gonna put me in the poor house, but at least I'll have a decent axe!! :cool:

Edit: and THANKS for the heads-up on the Yamahas. Looking forward to checking them out.
 
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#4
Ricky Rioli said:
40mm is within 1% of 1+9/16" (1.5625")

I saw that the specs for all the 4-strings in the current Yamaha BB range give 40mm for the nut. They also use that for the TRBX204 and TRBX174 (which like the BBs are PJs)

I think I remember seeing 1+11/16" given as a nut width (early G&L iirc?) but I'm not sure I've spotted 1+9/16" ... yet ... :help:

Presumably there must be other Far East or European basses at this size, since 40mm is such a nice round number?

The letter in the alphabet exactly midway between J and P is M, so I suggest these be called M-necks :whistle:

PS yes I have tried to find a thread on this subject, no I didn't get anywhere, yes I would be grateful for a link, no I'm not searching again
Click to expand...
~
1+9/16" = 1.5625" = 39.6875mm ~=40mm with nearest rounding

Ibanez currently makes some basses with 1.614" [41mm] nut width.

Getting closer :

My 2010 USA Gibson SG bass [similar to a short scale EB-3] has a 1.60" [40.64mm] nut.

From measuring several, we believe that Squier Broncos are also 1.60".

Here is a very good resource for finding what instruments meet a certain spec :

4-string Bass Guitars | Sweetwater

Scroll down and select your desired specs from the series of tick boxes on the left.

There are quite a few in the range of 1.5625" or slightly above.

Gretsch, Yamaha, Spector, Ibanez, ESP....

BTW, 1+11/16" nut width is a number which I associate with the Rickenbacker 4001, as I own one.
~
 
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#6
Theres a company in London called The Bass Centre. I'm not sure what kind of business it was a ye olde days, but now it seems to sell an range of classic designs built to thoughtful specs.

This p-bass is called the Power Bass and has a 1 & 9/16" nut. The neck is all very skinny: 0.787" at 1st fret and 0.866" at the 12th almost SR / TRBX territory

Bass Collection Power Bass - Guards Red

20201228_112753.jpg


The tax-free export price is about $445

A dozen other colours:

Power Bass
 
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#8
Heh. My last Ric clone build was intended to match a P width at 1-5/8", but due to some router ineptitude, i had to shave it down to 1-9/16". In practice, I can barely feel the difference, the front to back and profile have a lot more effect on how it feels to me. My G&L L2k is 1-5/8", but it doesnt feel chunky because its a real flat D profile.
 
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#9
My Yamaha RBX270 and Ibanez Roadstar II fretless basses have both 1 9/16" (40mm) nut width. I once played a '70s Fender P and while I did not measure, it felt like the nut width was inbetween a J and a P
 
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