Kiwi

I've found generally that there is a set of trade offs between aesthetics and ergonomics which kind of shows there is a limit to the classic Modernist design mantra of 'form follows function'. I tend to think of it as a prioritisation exercise...priotise ergonomics up to about 70% of the body shape and compromise a little for aesthetics. If you go beyond that threshold, it's possible to end up with some fairly unattractive body shapes that are exceedingly comfortable. I'd offer up Vigier as an example and maybe the Klein steinberger/Strandberg Boden bass. I'm sure it must be possible to cobble together a 2 axis graph somewhere showing attractiveness vs comfort given access to enough survey data. Strandberg Boden bass Klein/Steinberger bass Vigier Passion SIII 5

Okdoke :). Foam in the headstock might be tricky when the tuners are held in place by screws. But I'll see if there is a way to confirm relative weight saving of the lighter weight core filling in an side by side experiment.

Follow up - the JB4 necks are weighing in at a gnats nadger over 1.1kg

It depends on how far the envelope is pushed from whats already known. The resonancy peaks become more pronounced the less stiff the core is. Its possible to fill with resin and other materials but the proportions could vary according to resin content and any filler material. And the filler material would have some frequency dampening properties. Rob Green mentioned once in person to me that tbe Stealth 2 used an epoxy foam core. Not sure if the core was preshaped and wrapped or the foam was injected into a hollow shell.

Yes, I'll check and confirm the weight tonight (my time) and get back to you. In batch 2 we are going to experiment with a lighter weight resin based fill but I can't say how much weight it will save until it's in my hands.

Hey there, thanks for asking. I'm going to be honest and say that the solid resin core necks don't offer any weight saving vs wood. I can make them lighter but then they become more resonant which means they might not sound as good...or they will need more R&D to offer lightweight and stay sounding fat. Fingerboards typically affect the metallic sounds in string attack, like fret noise, say 1.2Khz and above depending on other materials. If your standard for timbre is a maple neck then you could try a maple fingerboard on our necks and make sure the body has a significant proportion of maple (ideally softer maple) in it. Then you might still preserve some of those compressed qualities but with the advantages of graphite. EDIT: The best sounding bass I own is all maple - the Spector NS5CR. It's warm but not woofy, it's bright but not brittle and there is a little compression to the highs. So I totally get where you're coming from.

All this stuff behind people's backs is toxic. Some leadership is needed from the rest of the band. If A has concernes, he should take responsibility for setting a clear expectation. Or B could also just tell him to foxtrot oscar and highlight some of A's own failings. After the clearing of the air, hopefully both might be a little more aware of their own short comings and perhaps more inclined to work on their own performances rather than criticise the others and perhaps...PERHAP each could OFFER to improve an aspect of their playing if there are valid concerns from the rest of the band.

We've had reports in about an individual using multiple accounts approaching buyers in the market place after they've made an enquiry on a thread. The scammer's method is to reach out via PM with some information about the seller (who it's likely he has no actual connection with) then invite further conversations with that friend via email off site. Then, while impersonating the seller via fake email, offer to take a deposit which is never seen again. He seems friendly and has certainly posted on here to give off a friendly and laid back vibe but he is exploiting the trust and goodwill on here. We can't emphasise strongly enough that you don't reply to anyone claiming to know a seller, don't email any email address they provide and for anyone who is thinking about putting deposit down on any item in the market place, please use a form of payment that can be easily reversed. A reminder is below to advice already offered by members 15 years ago to avoid being ripped off. Also, if you are contacted by anyone else in the future with an invitation to continue the conversation via email, please flag it immediately with either myself or woodinblack. Thanks in advance for your help.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1GAPXGT8CB/ Here is one of the SR4 necks from batch 2 getting skinned.

I had one of those clearance Spectors from the demise of Sound Control on Oxford Street. A NS6XL with a spalted maple top and alder back, it sounded warmer but less growly. I gigged with it for a while but when an old Basschat queen of a NS5CR came up for sale in 2009 that I originally played two years and two owners previously, I jumped on it and it's become one of my top three instruments. It does nearly everything really well. Solid sounding and tight with some nicely peaky midrange and not too bright. The only thing it won't do is Fender. But it easily matched and surprassed the three Smith basses I sold off earlier in that year and cost a fraction by comparison.

Update time: The two remaining Batch 1 necks (#4 and #5) are currently being painted and I expect them to be shipped later this week. The necks for Batch 2 have also been made and are currently being wrapped in an outer layer of cosmetic weave. This marks a change in our approach - we've found that the wrapping technique reduces wrinkles, creases, undulations and warpage by quite a bit. And the weave really pops when not covered by so much resin. So, a risk of sounding a bit corporate, we're constantly learning and adjusting to keep quality at the highest possible levels (for us). Hopefully I will be able to post a vid of batch 2 later.

My NS5CR is also 35" scale.

The NS2 has PJ pickups, the NS4 and NS5 both have dual humbuckers although the original NS5 had twin jazz shaped pickups (not sure if they were single coil or stacked HB). Spector has since reissued it as the NS5 Classic

It's going to be a while unfortunately. There is a big jump from necks to a full instrument, and a much broader, more complex set of customer expectations apply. The brand doesnt have the resources to deal with the extra commitment right now. But I would love to offer something like that in the future, if there was demand.

@Rich77 @Phaedrus01 and @HeadlessBassist yours were delivered about half an hour ago. They're looking much better, the weave really pops. I'll send you each some photos tomorrow. JB4 Batch 1 #2 v2.mp4